Masterpiece London has rapidly grown into one of the most prestigious annual art fairs with this year's event seeing the highest increase in visitors at Royal Hospital Chelsea. The preview on 25 June was attended by international collectors, investors, celebrities, nobility, socialites, press and Chelsea Pensioners. RBC Wealth sponsored the Masterpiece event promoting and celebrating art, design and luxury lifestyle. Masterpiece is a highly anticipated event particularly for high-rollers who visit the preview to snap up desirable unique items. Unlimited champagne supplied by Ruinart the oldest champagne house was served to guests on preview day.
On entering Masterpiece one of the first art works that caught my eye was Marc Quinn's gold coated bronze sculpture ‘Siren' Kate Moss in a contorted position. In the same area stood ‘Large Horse' by William Turnbull, an imposing abstract sculpture.
Apart from UK outlets, galleries represented several art capitals of the world including Rome, Milan, Paris, New York, Tokyo, Munich exhibiting exceptional art, antiques, sculptures, furniture and fine jewellery collections.
Here are some of the fascinating museum worthy art and decorative objects featured:-
Striking European marble and bronze statues/busts were showcased by Tomasso Brothers and Scultura Italiana Di Dario Mottola. Ancient South American figures/masks were featured at Galerie Mermoz.
Peter Finer specialist in antique arms and armour displayed body armour, pistols, rifles and swords from Europe and Asia.
The ‘Sitting Man' sculpture of a nude man by British artist Dame Elizabeth Frink was for sale at Simon Dickinson for £950,000.
Boulakia Fine Art and Alon Zakaim gallery's collections consisted of works by modern and impressionist painters including Dali, Picasso, Kandinsky, Renoir, Leger, Matisse and Pissaro.
Peter Petrou exhibited an unusual collection of 20/21st century design & ethnographica, decorative objects and sculptures from different countries such as Japanese six-fold screen, dragonfly sculpture, jellyfish in glass, coconut table and Indian jewelled body coverings.
Attractive antique & modern European tapestries ranging from 15-21st centuries were presented by Galerie Chevalier.
Phillip Mould & Company and John Mitchell Fine paintings specialised in paintings by masters.
Whitestone Gallery from Tokyo exhibited modern and impressionist work by Japanese artists and some European artists including Andy Warhol.
Amir Mohteshami a specialist in Asian and Islamic art displayed paintings, miniatures, furniture, pottery and Mughal pieces.
Bowman Sculpture featured ‘Flight' a bronze gold-patinated sculpture by Helaine Blumenfeld whose works are displayed in public spaces like Park Lane.
Robbig Munchen, Pelham Galleries, Ronald Phillps, Richard Redding, Steinitz and John Whitehead created opulent rooms with antique decor. Their showcases included ornate objet d'art, porcelain, ceramics, clocks, mirrors & furniture from 16-19th century.
Visitors marvelled at ‘Haute Joaillerie' with dazzling diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emaralds and pearls by fine jewellers Chatilla, Bogh-Art and Grima. S.J Phillips, Fred Leighton, Wartski and Hancocks specialised in antique/vintage jewellery.
Linley's display was limited to a few bespoke pieces made specifically for Masterpiece. One of the featured pieces was the gold-plated Eucalyptus ‘Grace Cabinet' costing approx £275,000.
Sladmore Contemporary (Stand of the Year) featured the work of sculptor Nic Fiddian Green. Nic's equestrian sculptures are well recognised and featured at Royal Ascot and Marble Arch.
Diners had a good choice of Urban Caprice eateries including Le Caprice, Scotts, The Ivy or The Mount Street Deli.
A few days later on 30 June Heather Kerzner hosted the Marie Curie Party, a charity gala at Masterpiece London raising the staggering sum of £900,000.
Many thanks to the team at Gong Muse PR.
© Article by Gina Chrysanthou Photos by Gina Chrysanthou & Amita Chatterji
