The 20th BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair opened on March 21 in the Duke of York Square in Chelsea and was once again greeted by spring sunshine.
As English period furniture is the
mainstay of this fair, it was fitting that a big-ticket early sale
came for a pair of George III carved giltwood armchairs in the
manner of Thomas Chippendale (one shown here), sold for an asking
price of £350,000 to a private collector by London dealer
Frank Partridge.
The c.1765 chairs are closely related
to one of eight designs for 'French Chairs' in the 1753 first
edition of Thomas Chippendale's The Gentleman &
Cabinet-Maker's Director.
The French Rococo-inspired chairs,
which stand 3ft 4in (1.02m) high and are covered in contemporary
18th century needlework, are part of a suite of 12 chairs reputedly
supplied to Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive of Plassey (1725-74) for
his lavish renovation of Walcot Hall in Shropshire.
Better known as 'Clive of India' after
making his fortune as a military tactician protecting the interests
of the East India Company in India during the mid 18th century, he
used this wealth to purchase numerous large estates around
England.
Frank Partridge also won the Object of
the Fair award for his c.1680 rosewood and princeswood cabinet,
embellished with pietre dura panels, described by the judges as "a
work that combines exceptional quality with historic
rarity".
Second prize went to Strachan
Fine Art of London for Portrait of George Brooke, 9th
Baron Cobham (1497-1558) by a Follower of Hans Holbein
the Younger, while third was shared by John Howard
of Woodstock for a large 19th century stoneware ewer made by W.
Powell Pottery of Bristol and Witney Antiques from
Oxfordshire for a c.1660 English embroidery c1660 depicting King
Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.
A special mention was given to
Sandra Lipton of London for her exhibition of
English medieval horse harness pendants.
Best Stand went to W.W. Warner
Antiques of Kent for "A most exciting and elegant display
of porcelain", which may have aided their 36 sales on the opening
day. Meanwhile, second place went to Anthony
Woodburn of Lewes and third to Rogers de
Rin of London.
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