The Preview Day of the fourth edition of Masterpiece London ended with reports of strong sales and many happy dealers. Over 6,000 visitors crossed the threshold of the stunning fair  in the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, an increase of over 15% on last year.

Amongst the throng of eager visitors and collectors were Anna Wintour, Jasper Conran, Uma Thurman, Arpad Busson, Fatima  Maleki, Maryam Eisler, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Sarah Jessica Parker,  Anish Kapoor (who has a new piece at the fair on the stand of Dickinson), Evgeny Lebedev and Bryan Ferry, all of whom added to the buzz of the Preview Day.

The calibre of work this year is second to none with evidence that the exhibitors have saved their very best treasures for this 8-day extravaganza. The very first sale of the fair was from antiquities dealer Rupert Wace, who sold an Egyptian limestone mask, 380-343 BC to a private collector for £180,000, a similar example of which can be found in the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

The prize for Best Stand went to Geoffrey Diner with his new-to-market Roy Lichtenstein painting ‘Puzzle Portrait’ exhibited alongside design classics by Marc Newson and a Tiffany fire screen, providing an inspirational mix of styles and eras.

The prize for Object of the Year went to a rare Adolfo Wildt bronze cast created in 1921 from a marble sculpture carved by Wildt in 1911 - the Vir Temporis Acti, exhibited by Carlo Orsi on the stand shared with Alessandra di Castro.

Philip Mould sold several pieces including The Cholmendeley Hilliard (1590), a rare portrait miniature depicting an unknown Lady of the Tudor Court by Nicholas Hilliard for £200,000, and a drawing by Augustus John. Ariadne Gallery was pleased to sell the Abstract Sabaean Face with Base to a prominent private collector and the Urartian Bronze Bull to a UK based collector and Atlas Gallery sold a photograph by the acclaimed 20th century master Bill Brandt, 1977 - to an English collector for £9000.

Sculpture has its heyday

The impressive sculpture offering at the fair has proved extremely popular. Robert Bowman sold two bronze pieces by Kenneth Armitage from 1953 for £75,000 and Henry Moore ‘Head of Horse’ 1982 for £35,000.

First time exhibitors at the fair, the Todd Merrill Gallery from New York, sold a fantastic sculpture by Jennifer Trask. 'Burgeon' 2012 is a unique wall mounted sculpture which sold to a new American collector for $150,000. Trask is a jewellery designer but has branched into sculpture made from found 18th and 19th century gilt wood fragments as well as antler, bone and teeth from various animals. 

The Fine Art Society sold their showstopper Emily Young sculpture which adorns the centre aisle of the fair for £120,000 to a new client. Sladmore Gallery sold two sculptures by Rembrandt Bugatti, an Elephant and a Crouching Tiger as well as selling three other pieces at the Curator’s Preview and the Tomasso Brothers sold the marble ‘Bust of Caracella’ made in 1755 by Joseph Claus.

Far East connection proves fruitful

Many collectors from the Far East were spotted taking much interest in the objects on display. Asian art has always been an important contingent of the fair, and together with the Chinese Heritage and Arts Festival, the fair presents The Hong Kong Pavilion, sponsored by Fine Art Asia, a uniquely curated exhibition of work by both traditional and contemporary artists and designers. Attendees from Asia have included delegates from the Chinese Embassy to the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office.

CEO Nazy Vassegh said “The calibre of collectors seen and objects on offer is the highest to date, and the buzz from the Preview has got us off to the best possible start. Each stand is individually curated with such care and expertise, and for anyone with a serious interest in the arts it is essential to be here”.

For the latest news and developments go to www.masterpiecefair.com, join the Facebook group Masterpiece London or follow on Twitter at @MasterpieceLndn #MPL13

Masterpiece London presents the finest art from prestigious international galleries alongside design, fine antique furniture, precious jewels and vintage cars. It offers connoisseurs, patrons, collectors and visitors a varied and in depth offering with over 150 international exhibitors showcasing £1 billion worth of works from antiquity to contemporary. Masterpiece takes place from 27 June – 3 July 2013 (with a Preview on 26 June) in the heart of Chelsea, on the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3.

2013 Opening Times:

Open to the public:          

Thursday 27 June & Friday 28 June, 11.00-21.00

Saturday 29 June & Sunday 30 July, 11.00-19.00

Monday 1 July, 11.00–21.00

Tuesday 2 July, 11.00–18.00 followed by the Masterpiece Midsummer Party IN SUPPORT OF MARIE CURIE, 19:00-21:30

Wednesday 3 July, 11.00–21.0

2013 Ticket Prices:          

Preview Ticket: £100 per person – limited availability

Public Ticket: £20 per person          

Under 18s free – 27 June – 3 July inclusive

Midsummer Party Ticket: £150

2013 Ticket Prices:          

 Preview Ticket: £100 per person – limited availability  

Public Ticket: £20 per person 

Midsummer Party ticket: £150 per person – limited availability

2013 Box Office Details: Tickets can be purchased online at www.masterpiecefair.com