Anticipating the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair Berkeley Square in London, Fair Organiser Mieka Sywak gives us a preview

An Extremely Rare Royal Yacht Standard, circa 1910
Image Courtesy Wick Antiques

One of the most exciting prospects for me of the forthcoming Fair is the variety of works for sale. From a collection of carved pre-historic stone tools to a finely-wrought brass-inlaid commode demonstrating the height of the furniture-makers art, breadth of stock across a host of disciplines means we attract buyers with wide interests, whether academic or purely decorative.

Image courtesy of Stephanie Hoppen Gallery

STUNNING PRE – RAPHAELITE REDHEADS

This year’s event brings what promises to be an exemplary collection of art of all periods, with a strong showing of fine art dealers, quite a few of whom are new to the Fair.  Whilst I am drawn to many of the modern and contemporary works for sale, such as the haunting photographic portraits by Hendrick Kerstens which echo the Dutch Masters of the 1600s, there are numerous historic paintings of importance for sale too.

LOVE REVEALED

A recently-discovered watercolour by JMWTurner of an unusual subject, the 1799 siege of Tippoo Sultan at Serigapatam; a fine portrait by the 18^th century French artist Jean-Baptiste Greuze; an early work by Fragonard depicting a beautifully-lit scene of young washerwomen in the streets of Rome; and a stunning Pre-Raphaelite redhead painted by Simeon Solomon which has recently been exhibited at ‘Love Revealed’ a Pre-Raphaelite display at the Birmingham Art Gallery.  One last interesting art story involves a Sir Alfred Munnings painting of a gypsy, sold to an American client 30 years ago, which is now once again with the dealer, who has told us it was one of the most important Munnings he had ever handled, and he’s delighted to be looking after it again.  I love that our LAPADA dealers cherish their stock this way!

A Fabulous 18th Century Bureau Bookcase
Image courtesy of Millington Adams

I CAN’T WAIT

I can’t wait to spend time with our jewellery dealers at the Fair.  I love Art Deco and Post War designs, and there is a very chic Paul Flato 1940s gold and ruby domed bangle that used to belong to the artist Tamara de Lempicka, also examples of very covetable pieces by leading designers Marchak, La Cloche Freres, Paul Iribe, Rene Boivin, Susan Belperron, Maubusson and Cartier.  Several early pieces have caught my eye, including an exquisite little c1810 St. Esprit dove brooch inset with turquoise and pearl, and a delicate filigree and diamond-studded brooch of the 17^th century. Perhaps one of the more remarkable jewels is a dramatically large Arts & Crafts dragon pendant scattered with 300 opals, thought to be designed for Annie Horniman (daughter of Frederick Horniman who founded the Museum in South London) by the architect Charles Harrison.

A Beautiful Ivory Sundial
Image courtesy of Barnes & Co.

Amongst furniture and collectors’ items, highlights I look forward to seeing include a stunning George I period walnut bureau bookcase with glowing patina and fabulous swan-neck pediment, the interior filled with intriguing miniature drawers and secret compartments; an historic clock commissioned by King Edward VII as a presentation to a yachting adversary in the 1894 Americas Cup series, as well as a truly rare Royal Yacht Standard; a perfect pocket-sized ivory diptych sundial made by Charles Bloud of Dieppe c1670 and some splendid examples of the silversmith’s art in the form of knights on horseback by royal supplier John Hunt, Regency wine coolers by Matthew Boulton and rare forms of wine jugs by Alexander Crichton: a pair of sea-lions and a duck!

To recieve instantaneous twitter updates from the Show, please follow our tweets @lapada_fair . For a complimentary invitation to this year’s Berkeley Square Fair, please click here to download and print.

Looking forward to seeing you all very soon.

Best wishes,

Mieka

www.lapadalondon.com

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