Art Antiques London, which incorporates The International Ceramics Fair and Seminar, was launched in June 2010 to wide acclaim, winning praise, in particular, for its central location, light and airy atmosphere and stylish presentation. Now in its third year, Art Antiques London has surpassed expectations: not only is it very commercially successful, consistently delivering excellent sales across the board, but it has also become a vital yearly meeting place for international dealers, collectors, museum curators and academics. The fair will bring together over 70 of the world’s leading art dealers.

The international trade has always formed an important aspect of Art Antiques London.   Among those returning to the Fair from the United States are Erik Thomsen Asian Art and Jane Kahan Gallery.   Erik Thomsen Asian Art, New York, specialises in Japanese screens and scrolls, early Japanese tea ceramics from the medieval through the Edo periods, masterpieces of ikebana bamboo baskets and gold lacquer objects, while Jane Kahan Gallery specializes in both tapestries and ceramics by Leger, Picasso and Chagall. Their collection of Aubusson tapestries by many of the great artists of the 20th century is one of the largest in the world and has been featured in numerous museums, art fairs and publications.

From Europe, the Fair is looking forward to welcoming Swiss dealer GRIMA, one of the most iconic names in jewellery, which will show both classic and contemporary jewels at the 2012 Fair. Royalty and celebrities around the world wear their distinctive pieces. Other dealers from Europe include Christophe Perles (Porcelain), Dragesco-Cramoisan (Ceramics, Glass and Enamels), Martin du Louvre (Modern and Contemporary Art and Sculpture) and Daniela Kumpf Kunsthandel (Ceramics, Glass and Enamels).

New UK dealers participating in the 2012 Fair include Stephanie Hoppen Gallery who will be exhibiting contemporary artists and photographers from the UK, Europe, America, Asia, Australia and South Africa and is also the author of many books on interior design. Other fine art dealers to come into the Fair include Rowntree Clark, specialist dealers in Modern British Art, whose expertise ranges from the early 20th century to the present day, with a particular emphasis on post-war British abstract art and The Mathaf Gallery, London’s leading gallery in 19th-century Orientalist paintings.   Dealers in other fields who will be new to Art Antiques London this year include, D and M Freedman who specialise in Chinese porcelain, jade and Chinese works of art; Peta Smyth has been dealing in antique textiles since 1976 and is renowned for her extensive and comprehensive stock of fine textiles, Hampton Antiques who specialize in antique boxes and objet d’art, and Martin Murray Country Antiques who will be bringing distinctive antique country furniture and folk art. 

The new dealers will join those for whom Art Antiques London was particularly successful in 2011 including Samina Inc., Adrian Sassoon (British Studio Ceramics and 18th century Sèvres) W Agnew and Co. (Sculpture and Works of Art), Lucas Rarities (Jewellery) Ted Few (Antiques and Works of Art), The Silver Fund (Georg Jensen Silver), and E & H Manners (Ceramics).

The Fair’s much praised lecture series is the key to its continuing success.  This year Art Antiques London particularly looks forward to welcoming Jonathan Marsden, Director of the Royal Collection.   His lecture, given to mark the Queen’s Jubilee Year, will discuss the British Royal Collection from the time of Henry VIII to the present day and its importance as one of the last great European princely collections, which remains distinct from those owned and maintained by state authorities. Further highlights from this years lecture series will be a presentation by Dr Eva Ströber, curator of the Oriental Ceramics at the Keramiekmuseum Princessehof in the Netherlands. She will be discussing the meanings of Chinese symbols on porcelain; the lotus, the pair of mandarin ducks, the bamboo, pine and plum, unlocking the secrets of the traditional visual language of Chinese Ceramic design. Meredith Chilton a Canadian art historian will look at how developments in French horticulture and gastronomy had a significant effect on the passion for nouvelle cuisine and ceramics intended for the table. Creating a lecture programme as an integral part of a fair was an innovation made by the Haughtons and first introduced at the original International Ceramics Fair and Seminar 1989.   Lectures within art and antiques fairs have since been adopted by other fair organisers, who recognise the importance of offering a scholarly dimension.

This year the Party in the Park will be in support of JDRF, the leading global organisation focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. The Party in the Park will take place on the 12 June and will take the form of a cocktail party followed by a dinner and auction.

Art Antiques London is situated next to the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens, and the fair is delighted to display the magnificent sculpture Horse at Water by Nic Fiddian Green, courtesy of the Sladmore Gallery. The bronze sculpture, which stands at over 8 feet high, will adorn the lawn in front of the beautiful purpose built marquee.

Art Antiques London is delighted to be working in partnership with Waddesdon Manor, The Sladmore Gallery and The Dorchester Hotel.

US Press:

Magda Grigorian

T: (212) 877-0202

E: Haughton.ny@prodigy.net

UK Press:

Abi Gold/Diana Cawdell, Cawdell Douglas

T:  +44 (0)20 7439 2822

E:  press@cawdelldouglas.com

Notes to Editors:

1stdibs.com: Fair Sponsor

The lecture series is sponsored by the Ten Ten Foundation Inc.

Art Antiques London Address: Albert Memorial West Lawn, Kensington Gardens, Queen's Gate, Kensington Gore, London, SW7, UK

14-20 June 2012

Private View 13 June 2012

The West Lawn is next to the The Albert Memorial and directly opposite The Royal Albert Hall.

Tel: + 44 (0)20 7389 6555, Fax: + 44 (0)20 7389 6556

Opening Times: 14th June 11am-9pm then daily, 11am – 7pm, except Sunday and last day 11am – 6pm.

General Admission: £15.

 Getting to the Fair: Underground South Kensington (District, Circle and Piccadilly Lines) and High Street Kensington (District and Circle Lines) are the nearest stations. Walking to the Fair from either station takes approximately 10 minutes.

Bus Routes

 52,9,10            stopping at Kensington Gore

70                    stopping on Queen's Gate, 2 minutes walk from the fair

360                  stopping on Prince Consort Road, 3 minutes walk from the fair.

By Rail London Victoria is the nearest National Rail train station.

For arrival by car or taxi the set-down point is in the Park on Queen's Gate beside the fair.