Masterpiece Art Antiques Design

On Wednesday of last week I spent the day in London to attend a LAPADA board meeting and afterwards paid a visit to the Masterpiece Art Antiques Design fair in Chelsea, it was the preview day and I was lucky enough to be given a ticket so went along with fellow board member Costas Kleanthos who deals in fine watches and jewellery. On arrival the first thing to be seen is a fabulous custom built pavilion designed to look on the outside like a Chelsea Terrace of houses and a brilliantly fitted out interior with exhibition stands and famous restaurants, bistros and bars such as, The Ivy, Scotts, La Caprice and the Mount Street Deli. The fair runs until the 3rd of July.

The Masterpiece Pavilion and yes, this is just a temporary construction.....

The fair is described as, 'Masterpiece London brings together collectors, exhibitors and curators from around the world for an unparallelled show of fine art, antiques and design. Set in the spectacular South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea' and it certainly does live up to its billing. The antiques are the best to be found in the UK with marvellous imaginative stands showing the most fabulous and  unique items. This is of course reflected in the prices but if you want the best you have to be able to pay for the best.

Mary Tudor Pearl, 64.5 carat.

One of the most wonderful items on display is the Mary Tudor Pearl which can be seen on the Symbolic & Chase stand. The pearl first appeared in the collection of Empress Isabella of Portugal in 1526, the Empress died in 1539 and passed the pearl to her daughter Juana of Austria who had a short marriage to Prince John of Portugal, Juana went back to Spain to resume the regency of her brother Philip II. Mary Tudor took possession and named the pearl when she received it as part of her dowry from Phillip II.

Rolleston Ltd of Kensington London

The fair is varied in its displays - from traditional antiques to commissioned pieces from the likes of  Lindley bespoke furniture. The wonderful display above of fine early 18th century walnut furniture and Regency furniture could be found on the stand of Rolleston London.

Anthony Outred

The Anthony Outred stand above with a mixture of a large contemporary dining table with the top made out of a single piece of the tree and a swept base to Dutch master paintings and metal insects.

 If your love is mechanical and you are having a mid life crises here we have just what your heart desires - a classic Harley Davidson supplied by Show Speed & Custom or if you taste is a little more refined and you want the 60's look, a beautifully fully restored E-Type Jaguar, supplied by Eagle E-Types of Tunbridge wells

Graham

Graham Smith Antiques has been established for 14 years but Graham has been in the antiques business for 40 years. We trade on line and from showrooms on the edge of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and all the items shown on the website are available to view at the showrooms where they are displayed in four room settings - for ease of viewing. As long time members of LAPADA [the Association of Art and Antiques Dealers], the UK's largest trade association for professional art and antiques dealers, we want all our customers to be confident to buy from us on line or in person and make every effort to make each sale a pleasure. Please take some time to read our Testimonials page which can be found on the home page of our website.

collection of the Empress Isabella of Portugal