Carlton Hobbs LLC,the prominent international antiques dealer whose New York-based gallery is renowned for showcasing museum quality 17th to 19th century English and European furniture, plans to pull out all the stops at the inaugural Masterpiece Fair, which opens at the former Chelsea Barracks in London on June 23-29, 2010.  
 
"We look forward to participating in the first Masterpiece Fair," said Stefanie Rinza, the managing director of Carlton Hobbs, LLC.  "We think this fine art and antiques fair, successor to the prestigious Grosvenor House Show, has great promise to become one of the best in the world, and we have gone to great lengths to make an outstanding presentation." 

The focal point of Carlton Hobbs' selection is an extraordinary French 18th century parcel gilt and white painted Library from the Hotel Gaulin, Dijon, attributed to the celebrated ornemaniste, Jerome Marlet (1713-1810), which belonged to J.P Morgan, Jr., one of the most important collectors of the twentieth century.
 
When his father died in 1913, Morgan inherited the greatest art collection of its day. Although his father had wanted to leave the collection in its entirety to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, he was unable to because of lack of space.  Yet Morgan Jr. was equally generous with his wealth.  He used his massive fortune to add to his father's collection and, in 1923, bequeathed Marlet's Library and other fine pieces to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Morgan Jr. also gifted another one of Marlet's rooms ,'The Salon', to the Metropolitan Museum. This Salon was previously sold by Carlton Hobbs to the Museum of Dijon.
  
Carlton Hobbs will also offer a pair of carved, gilt wood Viennese armchairs, circa 1823, by Joseph Danhauser for Archduke Karl's Palace. This pair of armchairs formed part of a suite, which furnished the State Room on the first floor of the Archduke Karl's Palace in Vienna (now the Albertina).  Archduke Karl (1771-1847), brother of Emperor Franz I, inherited the Palace from his uncle Duke Albert of Saxony Teschen in 1822, together with its famous collection of drawings and etchings.  He immediately embarked upon its extensive redecoration, and after the project's completion the Palace was regarded as one of the most tasteful and glamorous in Vienna. 

Another highlight on the stand is an English work table, circa 1815, of giltwood, gilt and bronze painted composition. This table is a curious fusion of the refined neo-classicism of Robert Adam and the exotic eclecticism, which emerged during the Regency period. The finely-carved triform giltwood stand, based on a Roman form, is typical of Adam's adaptation of the antique, while the faux bronze finish, and the decorative use of rosewood in conjunction with gilt ornament are more typical features of Regency furniture. 

About Carlton Hobbs LLC

Carlton Hobbs is a noted independent dealer in rare antique furniture and historic objects. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in New York, in the former Vanderbilt Mansion at 60 East 93rd Street, the firm acquires researches and sells antiques to museums and discerning clients throughout the world.
 
Additional information about Carlton Hobbs LLC and its pieces can be found on the company blog at http://www.carltonhobbs.net.
 
Some of the world's leading museums and private collections now house Carlton Hobbs' pieces including, amongst others:
 
The Musée du Louvre, The John Paul Getty Museum, The Rijksmuseum, The National Gallery of Australia, The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, The Musée des Beaux Arts, Dijon, The Bowes Museum, Paxton House, The National Gallery of Greece, etc
 
Carlton Hobbs is located at 60 East 93rd Street, between Madison and Park Avenues in New York. Opening hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6:00 pm.  For more information, please call 212-423-9000 or visit www.carltonhobbs.com.
 
Carlton Hobbs' London Gallery is located at 16 Bloomfield Terrace, off Pimlico Road.  For more information, please call 212-423-9000 or +44 (0)207 259 1780.