The event runs from May 12-14 at Two Temple Place near London Embankment.
Though many of the 24 participating galleries feature Contemporary art, the event also includes Modern art and some antiquities to promote cross-collecting.
Among those bringing ancient items is Ariadne, an antiquities specialist, which brings the so-called ‘eye-cup’.
The terracotta kylix was made in Greece c.520BC. At the time, eyes were a popular motif, but their exact meaning has now been lost. Though some have proposed they were meant to ward off evil, it is more likely that the vessels were light-hearted references to masks, symbols of the wine god Dionysus.
As the user lifted the vessel to drink, the cup – in this case also featuring ears and a nose – would become a mask for the drinker.
The example in question, from the chalcidising class, is offered for £95,000.
Ariadne exhibits alongside galleries such as Alon Zakaim Fine Art, Kallos Gallery, Patrick Heide Contemporary Art and Pangolin London.
Alon Zakaim Fine Art brings Psalm 141: Domine, clamavi, by Damien Hirst, 2008, butterflies, household gloss, chrome lacquer on canvas, 18in (45.5cm) diameter, £100,000-200,000.
In the mix
Eye of the Collector founder and CEO Nazy Vassegh, previously of Masterpiece and Sotheby’s, planned to launch the fair in 2020, but the first in-person event did not take place until last year due to coronavirus restrictions.
Among the innovations at the event is the absence of stands, allowing visitors to view the objects mixed together, as they might be in a personal collection.
