Venerable Japanese screens and monumental pottery made yesterday offered in the shadow of Prince Albert

LAST month I eulogised about the dream setting of Brian and Anna Haughton’s Art Antiques London in a marquee next to the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens, SW7.

But as you can see when it opens to the public from June 14 to 20 (after two nights of dinners and cocktails) there is plenty of real substance around the stands of more than 70 dealers.

Although intimate and informal, for its third airing this fair has evolved a connoisseurial feel with specialist dealers in often niche areas appealing to the more serious collector.

Like top Japanese arts expert Erik Thomsen from New York who brings a screen attributed to Tosa Mitsuyoshi, which is not unlike a screen by the 17th century master in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, and exclusive Mayfair jewellers Lucas Rarities who offer a unique emerald, ruby, diamond, gold and pearl brooch designed by Rene Bolvin in 1938 and once in the collection of New York socialite and art patron Millicent Balcom.

The fair is strong on jewellery and this year is stronger on 20th century design and antique textiles.

But its forte is still ceramics and since it incorporates the International Ceramics Fair and Seminar, founded in 1982, this is hardly surprising.

But there are contrasts in the ceramics, with Brian Haughton presenting an unusual 18th century First Period Dr. Wall Worcester teapot and Adrian Sassoon, who always has an exciting contemporary stock, showcasing the piece we picture, a 1m high rendering ‘Bud’ recently made by the gifted art potter Kate Malone.