Odyssey Fine Arts, London,
England.
By Susan and Al Bagdade
CHICAGO, ILL. - Now in its fifth and best year, the Chicago
International Antiques and Fine Art Fair held at the Merchandise
Mart incorporated the Antiquarian Book Fair and Prints/Chicago on
April 26-29.
According to John H. Brennen of the mart, "It is an honor to have
so many members of LAPADA exhibit in the fair this year.
Collectors across the world recognize the superior quality of
antiques sold by the exclusive dealers of this association and
their strong presence at the antiques fair is very important." To
ease expenses for these British exhibitors, the British Art
Market Federation lobbied the relevant government department
dealing with international trade to provide grants of $4,300 to
each dealer traveling to the Chicago fair.
Once again, the Women's Board of the Rehabilitation Institute of
Chicago was the sponsor and beneficiary of the preview gala.
Approximately 1,300 guests attended the elegant preview party.
"There were good sales at the preview," according to Sandy Smith.
This year's special exhibit was based on the new book,
Magnificent Tiffany Silver by John Loring, design director
of Tiffany & Co. since 1979. The exhibition drew a lot of
attention and included a wide range of commissioned presentation
pieces as well as works created by illustrious Tiffany designers.
Tiffany silver has been considered a hallmark of silver
craftsmanship throughout the past century.
Additional events included a "Cocktails with Tiffany" party that
was well attended, plus a selection of 11 "My Favorite Things"
booth talks given by participating exhibitors. These were both
informal and educational and were appreciated by show attendees.
New this year was the addition of a designer special Monday where
designers showing credentials entered free. This allowed an extra
day for designers to shop with their clients and for "be-backers"
to make that final decision about objects they considered during
the weekend.
Seventy-four prestigious exhibitors participated in this vetted
fair. According to Heather Francis, managing director of
marketing at the mart, "Collectors, both experienced and novice,
can purchase with confidence, knowing that all of the exhibitors
are carefully juried to ensure that only items of the highest
quality are represented. The show also celebrates the joy that
living with antiques can bring, and the relevance of antiques to
all décor and lifestyles, from traditional to contemporary to
Asian."
Smith reported that 100 people were waiting to get into the fair
when it opened Friday morning.
"The opening gate was the best in five years," he noted "It was
also the best public relations campaign done by the mart in the
five years of the fair, including television appearances. The mix
of dealers was better this year, and the fair also looked
visually better."
Chicago's Betsy Nathan of Pagoda Red sold a Nineteenth Century
Northern China two-door veneered cabinet in Huanghuali and burl
over elm, a pair of black wood mirrors, a pair of lacquered head
rests, a Ming heavy lacquer dressing box, a porcelain cat pillow
and a lot of Nineteenth Century blue and white ceramic urns and
ginger jars. Nathan told us, "Three people were deciding about my
Art Deco chairs. The show has definitely brought new people into
the gallery [in Bucktown], which is the ultimate goal."
Chicago's Golden Triangle had its exhibit filled with red "sold"
tags from the preview until the show's closing. Some of the items
going out were all of their Betel boxes, a Chinese coffee table,
two British Colonial teakwood bookcases from Burma, two Chinese
scholar bamboo long pipes, a Chinese red and black coffee table,
two Chinese merchant armchairs with two drawers, a pair of Art
Deco chairs, a Chinese elmwood side chest, a Chinese black
lacquer over elmwood bookcase, a British Colonial cane and
teakwood chair, plus pieces already taken home.
When we talked to owner Doug Van Tress he said, "I sold very
little to collectors, just a few minor pieces. I sold to
designers and individuals looking for pieces to beautify their
homes."
Van Tress continued, "Buyers wanted unique items, a demographic
not reached by antique shows very well. My customers were not
seeking a $50,000 English table. I am selling to 34-year-olds
doing a nice home. They are not purists, but looking for
something special. They shopped at Crate & Barrel, The
Pottery Barn and Ralph Lauren and found that lacking. They want
something unique and affordable. The Asian furniture looks well
with their contemporary furnishings."
The Golden Triangle, Chicago, Ill.
Van Tress refers to himself as "Mr Entry Level." He said, "I did
specially constructed room settings this year. A more minimal
approach or staged environment. People could see pieces more
clearly." He added, "Attendance was much better than last year."
Chicago art dealer Richard Norton, who has a gallery right in the
mart, sold a modernist work by Theodore Lukits, a Cubist gouache.
Norton said, "I met a lot of new collectors and reinforced
relationships with old ones."
London exhibitor Mano Vayis "loves being in Chicago." He felt
that "people are here but are not spending money." He did sell a
fine pair of chairs and some garden urns. One section of his
exhibit was devoted to an enormous selection of Aubusson pillows
very attractively displayed in a daybed.
At the Nemati Collection from New York City, Dominick Direnzo
sold a tapestry, a carpet and one of the Parviz Nemati books
entitled The Splendor of Antique Rugs and Tapestries. "A
ton of brochures were taken; we are getting the word out," said
Direnzo. There is a new Nemati book coming out in the Fall called
Splendor of Shawls.
First-time dealer Leonard Stark from Naperville, Ill., described
himself as "the best new dealer." Stark has been a collector for
35 years. Now he has sold a biotech company and become an art
dealer for the 265 paintings he has to sell. A handsome example
was his Clarence K. Chatterton, an American painter from New York
State. His 1925 oil on canvas entitled "Beach Scene" was $60,000.
Another newcomer was Town and Country Antiques and Accessories
from Houston. Anne Bielstein felt the show was "well presented
with a good mix of dealers and had good attendance." Bielstein
was selling tortoiseshell pieces and game items, but no larger
pieces. She was surprised by what was selling in Chicago.
Vivian Kiechel Fine Art from Lincoln, Neb., was featuring the
works of John Steuart Curry since she represents his estate.
"These works have never been displayed in an outside venue like
this since most of his works have gone to a museum," said Buck
Kiechel.
One special painting was "Rainbow and View of Madison, Wisconsin"
from 1937, which was $500,000. Kiechel told us, "Tommy Thompson
was going to purchase this painting for the [Illinois] governor's
mansion, but then got a spot in the Bush cabinet." Kiechel also
has one of the largest collections of Thomas Hart Benton works.
From Bath, England, The Billiard Room sold some prints, a scoring
board and a wonderful billiard triple lamp. Paul McKeivor said,
"I would like to come back, but it depends on Sunday and Monday."
Kathryn Berenson from Washington, D.C., said she "loves the show
and do well here. I make good connections with decorators and
people who love textiles." Berenson sold quilts, almost all her
textile smalls and objects and an all-white wedding quilt from
1830-70 showing the art of broderie de Marseille.
Barbara Bako from Akron, Ohio, described "great attendance, but
sales were not as exciting." She did sell a Biedermeier loveseat,
a Flemish needlepoint chair, a turn-of-the-century Scottish fly
fishing reel, an Impressionist painting and some jewelry.
The Jade Dragon from Ann Arbor, Mich., reported selling to both
old and new clients. Stuart Hilbert sold scholar's desk pieces,
jewelry, jade, porcelains, snuff bottles and Japanese satsuma.
Hilbert said "There was great attendance; it was nonstop in my
exhibit. I sell mostly to collectors, both serious pieces and
accessories. Most of my pieces are not impulse purchases. I am
selling well across the board. I have had serious interest from
several museums in the city. I also have a lot of repeat
customers. I give a lifetime guarantee, and in 20 years I never
had a piece returned."
Hilbert added, "There is a lot of competition in Japanese prints
on the floor, though."
Hallidays Ltd from Oxfordshire, England, sold a bureau plat, a
pair of framed Seventeenth Century hangings, a pair of chairs, a
pair of stools, an important jewelry box in the shape of a piano
and lots of smalls. Edward Reily Collins said, "We are left only
with the biggest pieces. I also have a lot of good leads to
follow up." We were surprised to see that a pair of Regency
period cast-iron stags that each had a gilded coronet on stone
bases that dated circa 1820 for $48,000 were still available.
Collins was featured on the evening news with those stags and
they attracted a lot of attention.
Dumont Jewelry from West Hollywood, Calif., sold a cross section
of diamonds, French couture and Indian Mogul jewelry. Maria
Dumont said, "People in Chicago buy the most outrageous pieces.
They are not timid. They know what they like."
Tim Mertel of L'Asie Exotique from New York City told us, "It's
better than previous shows. There is a lot of interest and not as
much hesitation." Mertel sold a Japanese clothing chest, Japanese
figural bronzes, Chinese and Vietnamese ceramics.
The Billiard Room, Bath, England.
Thomas French Fine Art from Fairlawn, Ohio, felt, "It's a small
show with very high quality. Sandy did a wonderful job. He turned
out a monied, educated crowd. There are very bright clients going
through. I was pleased to sell good pieces to collectors. The
only hesitation is on the lesser things."
Linda Michels of Legendary Jewels from Eugene, Ore., was selling
retro bracelets from the 1940s and 50s. She said, "Our pieces
speak to people." What is selling now are pieces that can be worn
from day into evening, so they have more than one use. "People
are looking for pieces that are moderately priced, pieces with a
uniqueness and a connection to history," concluded Michels.
At The Silver Fund from London and New York, Michael Johns was
pleased with sales of a tea set, candelabras, candlesticks and
tureens. "We did more than double from last year," said Johns.
This dealer is the largest dealer worldwide in antique Georg
Jensen silver.
Sandy Smith's contract with the Merchandise Mart concluded with
this fifth year of the fair. Now decisions have to be made
whether he will continue to be the manager of this fair for the
mart.
