The Battersea Decorative Fair stand of Loveday Antiques included a monumental pair of Italian alabaster vases, c.1880, which sold for a price in excess of £10,000.
Running May 9-14, the event hosted 130 dealers at Battersea Evolution in south London.
Live it large
Among those making a debut was Alexander Loveday of Loveday Antiques, who sold a monumental pair of Italian Alabaster vases, c.1880, for a price in excess of £10,000 to an existing UK-based customer, a collector.
Loveday said that, as in the case of these vases, there was an abundance of interest in many of the larger items on display, a recurring theme for vendors across the event.
Despite added pressures of setting up the event during the coronation weekend, it was deemed worthwhile due to the increased number of international attendees, according to fair organisers Jane Juran and Darren Hudson.
Vagabond Antiques sold a set of 19th century bronze figures representing the four seasons for a price in excess of £50,000.
Among the big-ticket sales was a set of 19th century bronze figures sold by Joe Chaffer of Vagabond Antiques.
The figures, representing the four seasons in naturally patinated Verdigris bronze, were sold to a private collector for a price in excess of £50,000.
Offered for £65,000, this Fauve Impressionist piece by Robert Deborne (1870-1944) sold from the stand of Darnley Fine Art.
Darnley Fine Art was introduced to a new client who purchased a large Fauve Impressionist piece by Robert Deborne (1870-1944) with a ticket price of £65,000.
This 17th century French Aubusson tapestry offered by Hudson Antiques was sold with a ticket price of £28,000.
And a 17th century French Aubusson tapestry offered by Hudson Antiques was snapped up with a ticket price of £28,000.
Opening shots
Running three times per year, the fair is famed for a rapid-fire opening morning. This edition proved no different.
Sam Kohn of Sam Kohn Fine Living told ATG that he was “turning a profit in the first two minutes of opening”. He added that the “crowd of guests has been extremely enjoyable to meet, in addition to the wide assortment of dealers”.
Gloria Lombardi of Streett Marburg said that the fair “is bringing high quality collectors who really know what they’re in the market for”. The gallery offers modern and vintage furniture and antiques, and also represents Contemporary artist Lucy Naughton. Its selection of her work sold out within minutes at prices of around £400 and more.
Elsewhere at the event, Interior Boutiques found lively demand for the work of Contemporary artist Huw Griffiths. The firm’s Andrew Angell told ATG that Griffiths’ work has been “flying off the wall with phenomenal sales” – seven selling on opening day.
The next Battersea Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair is set to take place on October 3-8 at Evolution London.
