TEFAF New York
“TEFAF New York Fall is an international art fair that is not about the contemporary. It is proudly devoted to historical art and to revealing the wonders of that art to new generations.”
In February, The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) formed a partnership with events firm Artvest and announced two new boutique events for the Park Avenue Armory, New York. And so far, so good.
The inaugural TEFAF New York Fall in October – taking the slot of Haughton Fairs’ international event – made its desired splash. It wasn’t Maastricht (with 94 stands these are much smaller events), but it was that rare combination of unashamedly traditional art and antiques fair (see the mission statement above) that proved a critical and commercial success.
Other events might take a leaf out of its book. TEFAF’s New York content tackled head-on some of the market shortcomings, including a meaningful talks programme with panels addressing the issues surrounding antiquities and the merits of buying in unfashionable areas of the market.
Next stop is the spring event, focusing more on 20th century art and design, from May 4-8, 2017.
Forum Auctions
IN MAY, Stephan Ludwig, former owner and CEO of Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions, launched Forum Auctions. A host of staff familiar from his previous role – specialists including Dido Arthur, Justin Philips, Max Hasler, Alexander Hayter and Rupert Powell – joined him as the inaugural London auction got under way in July.
Books and works on paper provide its core but Forum’s ambitions in the jewellery market were underscored with the hiring of a specialist in Rome and a November sale at the Westbury Hotel in Mayfair co-hosted by Fellows.
Ludwig brings a unique perspective to the art and antiques scene – the financial know-how of a stockbroker, the customer focus of an industry ‘outsider’ and the experience gleaned with the acquisition (and closure) of a raft of UK regional salerooms.
Although conscious that the firm was “not reinventing the wheel” in its combination of bricks and mortar and online selling, Forum looks to push the boundaries of the traditional model. Its partnership with lending platform Unbolted to introduce a credit facility for buyers is one to watch.
