The BADA Friends, part of The British Antique Dealers' Association, formed in 1991 and was the brainchild of the association’s former president, Oriental arts dealer Brian Morgan. The group works with members of the public to support the work of BADA's Cultural and Educational Trust and is focused on promoting learning and expertise in the fine art and antiques trade.
During October online and in-person events are planned to celebrate the anniversary which also coincides with BADA Week (running from October 11-17), designed to highlight the benefits of visiting galleries, exhibition spaces, collections and specialities in person.
The Friends programme includes porcelain specialist Errol Manners’ webinar on Ceramic Traditions – described as a “world history through pots” - and a private tour of print dealer Isaac and Ede’s Mad about Mezzotint at the Court of George III exhibition at the dealership in Kensington. The event is a private visit with David Isaac to the exhibition at 2pm on October 12.
Dr Susanna Avery-Quash of the National Gallery is among the speakers at a BADA Friends event called 'Collaboration and Competition: Dealers, Collectors and Curators' in association with dealership Tomasso.
On October 14 dealership Tomasso hosts the webinar Collaboration and Competition: Dealers, Collectors and Curators. Moderated by Dr Mark Westgarth, of the University of Leeds, the online event features panellists Dr Susanna Avery-Quash of the National Gallery, Colnaghi Old Master paintings specialist Jeremy Howard and author and collector Charles Sebag-Montefiore.
A private tour of the Society of Antiquaries will take place on October 26 and on October 27 Kelmscott Manor curator Dr Kathy Haslem will host a webinar on the 17th-century Grade I manor house lived in by Arts & Crafts pioneer William Morris and his wife Jane.
Among the lectures on offer at BADA Friends is a talk on Kelmscott Manor.
Prior to the BADA Friends celebrations in October, the group continues its programme of educational events (which run throughout the year) and next month Cave Decorative Arts hosts A Journey into the World of Rare Pieces from the 17th century to present day on September 15 in London followed by two Grinling Gibbons exhibitions – one online on September 23 and one at Compton Verney Art Gallery & Park in Warwickshire on September 29.
Details of all the events can be found at https://www.bada.org/friends/friends-events
Further details of BADA Week will be announced in due course. bada.org/features/bada-week-2021
