Elisabetta Cipriani
Among the participating dealers this year is Elisabetta Cipriani, a London dealer in artists’ jewellery, who says “there isn’t a fair in the world like TEFAF. Variety, quality and presentation are important aspects of a good fair, and at TEFAF you won’t so much see galleries exhibiting their stock as a series of very thoughtful curatorial booths.”
She set up her gallery in Mayfair in 2009 and collaborates with contemporary artists such as Ai Weiwei, Carlos Cruz-Diez and Jannis Kounellis on pieces of jewellery. In the past she has exhibited at Design Miami/Basel and Design Miami, but in preparation for the showcase she is updating the aesthetics of her stand, displaying them in 12 x 12in (30 x 30cm) glass and iron boxes.
Cipriani says: “I am expanding the artists’ jewellery market and I want more and more people to be aware of these extraordinary, wearable art pieces. TEFAF has intellectual and sophisticated visitors. I am positive they will thoroughly enjoy trying these pieces.”
Among the jewellery she is bringing are works on which she collaborated with Cameroon-born artist Pascale Marthine Tayou. Gri-Gri (above right) features seven rings made of white and yellow gold, Sought Sea pearls, coloured threads and African cloth. Each contains a shaman potion. The 18ct rings are available for €10,200 each.
