Year: 2010

Upcoming Biennale des Antiquaries in Paris

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In a recent article, Defining Chic , published in the September issue of  Art & Auction Magazine, Simon Hewitt previewed  the upcoming Biennale des Antiquaries in Paris.  He explained that the participant list had been whittled down from 94 to 87, and that the auction space was designed by Agence Decoral and Patrick Bazanan.

He described the Oval Office replica that Kramer, the Parisian 17th and 18th century furniture dealer, had put  together for the event and he discussed the presence of modern art specialists this year.  There were, according to Mr. Hewitt, twice as many modern art specialists this year than there were dealers in the Old Master paintings..

He also described the eclectic mix at the fair, with highlights that ranged from the 3rd-2nd century B.C. Hellenistic bronze equestrian figure of Alexander the Great at Phoenix Ancient Art, to Renaissance of Yiddish Culture, which was a show of Kiev-based artists.

Celtic Antiques

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Celtic art  is characterized by ornamentation and lacks the  symmetry and suse of straight lines and themes from nature, which are usually integral to the classical tradition.  Classical  antiquity focused on the Mediterranean Sea, and was crafted throughout Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome civilizations, a.k.a. the Greco-Roman World.   Celtic Art, however, is  is known for its complex symbolism and focuses on letters , plant forms, spirals, human figures and more. Currently on sale at Phoenix Ancient Art are a Celtic Bronze Head of a Bull and an Appliqué with Abstract Pattern.

New Discovery in Egypt

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For antique dealers archeological finds are always of interest. These news stories are often of interest to many other  people as well, as they reveal a fascinating discovery from the past.

In recent news, archeologists in Egypt have unearthed 57 ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to around 2750 B.C. The find actually throws new light on Egypt’s ancient religions, according to Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.  Find out more about the recent discovery of these antiques.

New Face of Antiquities

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Buying antiques today has certainly changed from years gone by. Many antique galleries used to be appointment-only galleries. Now, their premises are open to the public and welcoming to all.  Many galleries also publish beautiful catalogs and work to broaden their client base.

Interestingly, the sale of antiques over the internet has also blossomed. As one company said, “We just sold a $150,000 piece over the web. We never met. The buyer just wired the money, and we sent the piece. That’s it.”

Many antiquities dealers are seeing their businesses taking off more than ever before.

This is certainly good news for the antiquities field – and for hard working companies that want to publicize the important of antiquities.

Background to the Brussels Antiques Fair

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The Brussels Antiques and Fine Arts Fair recently concluded, and it was quite a successful event.  With its central location, in the heart of Brussels,  the fair had 130 exhibitors. This fair is a must-see in the antiques world as it allows dealers to display their exceptional works, while allowing visitors to see a vast selection of antiques all in one location.

Owning a Piece of History

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Collecting and owning antiquities has always been an interest of people throughout history. Antiquities are appreciated for their beauty as art objects as well as their role as repositories of the cultures of the progenitors of western civilization. For this reason collecting antiquities is a growing interest, and if the number of objects can never get larger, as demand increases and supply is static, prices will rise. This fact makes investing in antiquities a pretty safe bet.