BADA Fair

Ninety-eight of the most renowned art and antiques dealers from around the country, representing a variety of specialisms, have confirmed their attendance at the BADA Fair. Returning Exhibitors include leading dealers Godson & Coles, Harris Lindsay, Thomas Coulborn & Sons, Lennox Cato, Frank Partridge, Anthony Woodburn Ltd., Trinity House, The Taylor Gallery, Sandra Cronan Ltd., and Holly Johnson Antiques. The demand for stands at the BADA Fair has increased and amongst the new Exhibitors at the upcoming edition are: Beaux Arts London, Philip Mould & Company, Michael Hughes, Peter Lipitch Ltd. and Ted Few.

The exquisite range of jewellery brought by various dealers has always been a highlight at the BADA Fair, and this year is no exception. Amongst the offerings from Sandra Cronan Ltd. is an important pair of diamond ‘waterfall’ earrings dating from c. 1940, each featuring 8 pear cut diamonds, and smaller baguette cut diamonds. New Exhibitor John Joseph will bring a beautiful Art Deco coral and diamond brooch (pictured) and Anthea A G Antiques will display a bold coral ring in 18 carat gold, made by Kutchinsky and dating from the 1970s. 

There are several trends that have emerged amongst the items being submitted by the dealers for the upcoming BADA Fair. These include a rise of European furniture and objects designed in an Oriental style. Godson & Coles, specialist in 18th and 19th- century furniture, as well as Modern British art, will bring a rare George I period, scarlet japanned bureau cabinet, signed by maker Daniel Massey (pictured). Frank Partridge will devote his entire stand toChinoiserie items. Another prevalent style in furniture will be fine pieces in English Oak as seen on the stands of Wakelin & Linfield, Witney Antiques and Shaw Edwards Antiques.

A further notable category is clocks, which are always well represented at the BADA Fair. Anthony Woodburn will bring a magnificent William and Mary turtle shell and gilt table clock dating from c.1695 (pictured) as well as a remarkably preserved Charles II walnut and marquetry longcase clock. Yet again the fine art at the BADA Fair encompasses some wonderful British examples, ranging from 18th-century watercolours from John Spink and Guy Peppiatt Fine Art, to modern British sculpture including Elisabeth Frink’sAssassins II from Beaux Arts London (pictured), and contemporary works by artist Jonathan Pike, to whom Julian Simon Fine Art will devote their stand.

A new development that will benefit collectors is the introduction by the British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA) of Certificates of Provenance, which members may now choose to include with the sale of an object. This is the first time Certificates of Provenance will have been available for objects sold at the BADA Fair. The Certificates will demonstrate that an object has been bought from a member of the BADA, which will be recorded as part of its permanent provenance.

In order to broaden the audience at the BADA Fair, there are several initiatives to attract new visitors and collectors. One of the most positive has been the Interior Designers’ Selection run by House & Garden. This year four acclaimed interior designers will each choose three highlights amongst the items displayed at the BADA Fair, and their Exhibitors will receive a showcard to denote the selected object. Similarly the programme of talks and events will cover themes from cross collecting to Hollywood Style - Jewellery and Fashion from 1929 to 1959, appealing not just to antique aficionados but to a range of people from interior designers to jewellery enthusiasts.

The BADA Fair has a long tradition of supporting charitable causes, and has raised over £3 million for a variety of charities over the years. This year the BADA Fair is delighted to announce The Haven Trust as its beneficiary. The Haven Trust is an award- winning breast cancer charity, offering support and complimentary therapy to patients. The BADA Fair will host a Charity Gala Dinner for The Haven Trust on the evening of Thursday 19th March in the Cellini Restaurant, within the BADA Fair.

Following the success of the catering at last year’s BADA Fair, the upcoming edition will see the return of celebrated caterers Absolute Taste running both the Cellini restaurant and Duke of York Brasserie. World-renowned and family-owned champagne house Taittinger will once more be sponsoring the Champagne Bar.