A record 160 dealers signed up for this anniversary edition of the event, displaying 55,000 objects over two levels of the exhibition centre’s National Hall.
Among the standout sales were a Regency sofa table which went from the stand of Guy Dennler for close to £14,000. He also sold a card table and silver table, both George III. Freya Mitton, a first time exhibitor, sold The Windmill, an oil by Julian Trevelyan which was ticketed at £9800.
A number of dealers did business with new clients. A Peruvian Cuchimilco from 1200AD Alexander Ancient went to a first-time buyer for the gallery, as did a £30,000 landscape and two other paintings from Darnley Fine Art. At Hatchwell Antiques, a 1960s ball seat found a new home thanks to a new client as did a pair of George II hall chairs from the stand of Robin Martin.
Morgan Strickland reported that the stand was "almost mobbed" and sold 15 pieces in total including a German Art Nouveau pewter and crystal candelabra.
New exhibitors this year include Zarco Antiques, Persis Antiques and Marina Oriental Art. Among those returning after a period away are Honourable Silver Objects, imperial Fine Books and Mary Wise Antiques.
James Brett, returning to Olympia for the first time in seven years, said he was “happy” to be back and sold a 17th century Ottoman table cabinet with mother of pearl inlay and an Irish table to European buyers.
The fair is traditionally a collector’s event, though this year there is a greater emphasis on the decorative market with a series of talks scheduled to be given by interior designers.
Organisers hope to attract more than 20,000 visitors.
Fair director Mary Claire Boyd says: Over four decades since the event was founded, we continue to pride ourselves on offering a wider choice of high quality, vetted art, antiques, furniture and collectibles than any other event in the capital.”
