Summer is almost here and we’re all busily putting the must-do events of the season in our diaries. One event not to be missed is the much acclaimed Masterpiece London, which takes place from 30 June – 5 July 2011, with a Preview on 29 June, on the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Guaranteed to be one of the best days out of the season, Masterpiece London showcases the best of the best in fine and decorative arts with contemporary collectors’ items. So whether it’s beautiful jewellery, classic cars, fine wines, ancient maps, exquisite paintings, modern sculptures or sporting memorabilia that get you fired up, here are ten reasons why you should firmly mark the date in your diary and purchase your ticket to Masterpiece London today:

You don’t have to have deep pockets to attend the fair
If you are someone who enjoys the finer things in life but might not have the bank balance to match, at only £20 a ticket Masterpiece London offers an unparalleled and unforgettable day out for everyone, from those who aspire to own a Masterpiece and those who want to add to their existing collection.

Once in a lifetime chance to see jewels from JAR
His shop in Paris is only ever open to the jet set and there’s no window through which to ogle his astounding creations. We’re talking about JAR – the world famous contemporary jewellery designer who’s much lusted-after creations will be at Masterpiece London for the first time along with his range of perfumes. This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience some of the best in contemporary jewels and niche fragrances and is worth the cost of the entrance ticket alone.

Touch, see, and experience everything first hand
Whilst the Masterpieces at the fair are exquisite, you are invited to touch, sit in, wear, and get up close to all the pieces on display. A one of a kind fair, Masterpiece London is about providing you with a memorable experience which you will cherish and be inspired by. So, if you have ever wanted to get within an inch of a renaissance masterpiece, try on jewellery from famous artists such as Picasso and Lam, or see an original hand-drawn Portolan Atlas from an explorer who discovered the Cape Verde Islands, then now is your chance.

Experience a world-first for classical music
Masterpiece London will host a never-before-seen musical spectacle performed by The Manning Camerata on the evening of Saturday 2 July 2011. Promising to be awe-inspiring, this will be the world’s first-ever ‘chamber soundscape’, uniting some of the world’s best musicians from Russia, Japan and the UK in the form of three string quartets and one larger string group playing globally renowned Stradivarius instruments. Each quartet will be positioned at different points around the Fair and conducted remotely via a revolutionary video link by renowned Artistic Director Peter Manning.

Your chance to sit in a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé
Now’s your chance to experience the opulent luxury of a Rolls-Royce - crafted exclusively for Masterpiece London.  Highly bespoke, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé is presented in Mustique Blue (a new, bright and vibrant colour) with seashell and navy contrast interior, navy piping, navy silk rugs and a navy hood. Inside the glove compartment, Asprey’s has crafted a Rolls-Royce humidor into a cufflink and earring box. Navy luggage completes this truly modern masterpiece, a car that surely represents the ultimate in romantic getaways.

Dine at Le Caprice, Harry’s Bar or The Mount Street Deli
Masterpiece London has teamed up with Urban Caprice, the prestigious event production and catering company, to offer its visitors the very best in food and beverage whilst appreciating awe-inspiring art, antiques and contemporary collectors’ items. Serving an all-day dining menu, Le Caprice, one of the most iconic London restaurants famed for its classic British, European and American favourites, is offering the opportunity to enjoy the quality and excellence of its cuisine at the fair. In addition, the world-famous club Harry’s Bar, will be serving its trademark Bellini at its elegant central bar. You can also enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or a light evening meal at The Mount Street Deli, which specialises in seasonal produce sourced from Italy and the British Isles.

Expand your horizons with Masterpiece London’s lecture series
Whether you are an art aficionado or simply keen to learn more about the finer things in life, Masterpiece London has a series of lectures to meet your needs. A lunchtime lecture series will be hosted by the curators and conservators of the renowned Wallace Collection and a series of evening addresses will be given by the likes of The Savoy, Ruinart Champagne and Louis XIII cognac. So whether you are keen to learn more about the history of key masterpieces and the mastery of collecting in the 18th and 19th centuries, or want to sample Louis XIII cognac and Ruinart Champagne there’s guaranteed to be something to fascinate and inspire you.

See one of the world’s finest feats in watch making up close
Luxury watch maker Vacheron Constantin will be bringing its world famous Chagall watch to Masterpiece London. This amazing tribute to artist Marc Chagall features as an exact replica of the monumental mural he painted on the ceiling of the Opera Garnier’s (Paris’s opera house) ceiling. Having launched the watch in Paris in November 2010, this will be the first time ever the watch has been seen in the UK.

See photographs by acclaimed Annie Leibovitz
There are more photography dealers at this year’s Masterpiece London showing a vast array of photographs from different eras. One highlight includes an image of HRH Queen Elizabeth II by renowned American portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz. This spectacular image is for sale through Hamiltons Gallery.

Meet world class experts in their fields
From British portraiture expert Philip Mould OBE and Tim Jefferies to Geoffrey Munn (the maker of the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding ring) and David Linley, Masterpiece London will be home for one week only to some of the world’s most brilliant minds in art, antiques, classic cars, wine, ceramics, and jewellery, to name but a few.   This is your chance to meet and learn from experts in their field first-hand.

All in all it is one event this summer not to be missed, so to purchase London’s hottest ticket this summer visit the official website www.masterpiecefair.com, today. 

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