A year after its creation, and following a successful inaugural edition, The Treasure House Fair returns to the historic Royal Hospital Chelsea this summer. Taking place from 27 June through 2 July, the fair will bring together 70 leading galleries – up 30% on last year – and feature over 20 collecting categories in the fields of fine art, furniture, antiquities and jewellery. A veritable Wunderkammer, this second edition will also showcase natural wonders, including the fossil of a 180-million-year-old pregnant Ichthyosaur, meteorites and some of the world’s largest and rarest gemstones, alongside classic cars and one of the most stylish boats ever made.
For the first time in London, the public will have the opportunity to discover some of the world’s largest and rarest gemstones, all weighing over 100 carats and gathered in an unprecedented exhibition The Great 100-carat Gems. These natural wonders will feature alongside other whimsical artefacts, such as a 50,000-year-old complete Woolly Rhino skull and a two meter-high mammoth hind leg.
1750; Bronze sculpture by Paul Mount (1922-2009) Two Part Invention, 1984;
Painting by William Scott (1913-1989), Painting, 1960, Oil on canvas. Godson &
Coles, London
The second edition of the fair will see the return of some of the world’s leading antique and art dealers, including Ronald Phillips, Richard Green, Osborne Samuel, Wartski, Adrian Sassoon, Butchoff Antiques, MacConnal-Mason, Godson & Coles, Koopman Rare Art, Frank Partridge
and Adrian Alan. Together, these galleries, most of which are multi-generational British family businesses located in the heart of London’s Mayfair, will present a spectacular selection of furniture, silver, decorative arts and jewellery, boasting extraordinary provenance and the aura of the greatest makers of their time.
Galleries
They will be joined by internationally renowned galleries such as À la Vieille Russie and S.J. Shrubsole, the New York jewellery and silver specialists who started off in Europe over a century ago before relocating across the Atlantic. Bringing her curatorial flair for merging treasures of the past with contemporary pieces, celebrated interior and furniture designer Rose Uniacke will also unveil her most recent antique and vintage finds alongside her latest creations.
On entering the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, visitors will be welcomed by the sight of three classic cars presented by Hilton & Moss in collaboration with the London Concours – the capital’s leading automotive summer event.
Jaisalmer 19 1/4 x 13 x 18 1/8 in, 49 x 33 x 46 cm. Thirsk Hall/ Willoughby
Gerrish, UK
Deeper in the gardens, esteemed London art dealer and director of Thirsk Hall Sculpture Garden in North Yorkshire, Willoughby Gerrish, will once again be curating the Sculpture Walk. The show, which will extend into the fair, will be highlighted by works by 20th and 21st century British women artists, including Barbara Hepworth, Emily Young, Mona Hatoum, Sophie Ryder and Nicola Anthony.
Fine Art
As per last year, Fine Art will feature strongly in the fair, showcased by a roster of internationally renowned specialists in the fields of painting and sculpture. Fourth-generation Mayfair specialists in Old Masters, Impressionist and Modern art, Richard Green Gallery and MacConnal-Mason will be joined by eminent art dealer and BBC “art detective”, Philip Mould who will present some of his latest discoveries in an immersive booth infused with a Bloomsbury Group aesthetic. They will be accompanied by an impressive contingent of 20th-century British art experts, notably Osborne Samuel, the Crane Kalman Gallery, William Weston and Christopher Kingzett.
Specialists in 20th-century and Contemporary British art, Piano Nobile will unveil a seminal work by the School of London painter R.B. Kitaj, which is appearing on the market for a first time in a generation. Fascinating preparatory works for official portraits of the British Royal family will also go on view on the booth of Fine Art Commissions.
Walwyn, London
Sculpture will also take center stage both inside the fair and in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, with the participation of leading specialists, including Paris gallery Univers Du Bronze, Sladmore – the Jermyn Street gallery focusing on animalier sculptors, and Hignell Gallery which will showcase a selection of works by Modern British masters, including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Lynn Chadwick.
THE TREASURE HOUSE FAIR
Press preview: 27 June, 11am-4pm
Opening dates: 27 June – 2 July 2024, 11am-8pm
Location: Royal Hospital Chelsea, South Grounds London, SW3 4SR
Treasurehousefair.com
See also: Sebastian Blakeley – Serendipity and the Refining of a Design Process
