Best Stand: ArtAncient
Judges loved ArtAncient’s museum-quality display of objects against a black background, with spotlighting and up-close accessibility. A large multi-coloured Canadian ammonite, with iridescent colours on both sides, stood out.
This was by far the most hotly contested category and with no predetermined shortlist, judges submitted their nominees after a tour around the fair this morning.
Furniture:
Wakelin & Linfield
18th Century Neapolitan Commode, c1760
An exceptional and unusually large bombe and serpentine fronted commode with original marble top. The Selection Committee noted that it was a particularly fine example of its type in quality and condition and felt it was representative of the high quality of furniture on display at the LAPADA Fair.
Jewellery:
Lucas Rarities
An enamel, opal, emerald and ruby serpent pendant by Gustave Roger Sandoz, from Lucas Rarities, wowed judges for its meaningful blend of design and stones.
Made circa 1901, with French assay marks for 18 carat gold, the pendant is signed ‘GR Sandoz’ to the reverse.
One judge commented that the pendant was "a statement piece that was imbued with extensive hidden meaning".
Fine art and sculpture:
Jenna Burlingham Fine Art
Robert Adams
Plane, Curve and Circle, 1960
A bronzed steel sculpture was judged an historically important piece from the artist Robert Adams. Exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 1962, the Selection Committee felt the dealer Jenna Burlingham displayed it very sympathetically and in a relevant context, despite the spatial limitations of a fair stand.
Textiles and rugs:
Witney Antiques
An exceptionally fine and extravagantly worked mid-17th century raised work panel was the winner of the Textiles & Rugs category.
Judges were impressed by its excellent condition and rarity: it is one of only a few known to exist of this quality and condition, with other examples held in the Metropolitan Museum and Windsor Castle. It was clearly a revered piece that had been perfectly preserved as such. The symbolism was rich and the quality of the workmanship unparalleled.
Silver, ceramics and glass:
Serhat Ahmet
Meissen snuff box, c1750-60
A stunning snuff box with a superbly painted inside cover, using a fine stippling technique, with a half-length portrait of Maria Josepha Carolina Eleonore Franziska Xaveria (1731 - 1767) won this category.
Maria Josepha became Dauphine of France when she married Louis de France, son and heir of Louis XV. The box was historically very important, judges agreed, and the painting meticulously executed.
Object:
Mark Goodger at Hampton Antiques
Pair of Henry Clay Tea Caddies, c1790
A rare pair of George III papier mache oval tea caddies, attributed to Henry Clay, the caddies originally formed part of the display in the Etruscan Dressing Room at the famous ‘palace of palaces’, Osterley Park in Isleworth. Judges were impressed with their firm provenance and beautiful execution.
