ON June 7 I spent some hours at the preview of the Olympia International Fine Art & Antiques Fair and after some shaky years I am delighted to report it is back to top form.
Omens were good last summer but this year the fair looked stylish and with some 200 exhibitors, the largest for a while, is again the Olympia we know and love providing a beguiling and eclectic range of stock.
There was much of top quality but also a wide range of prices, and it all paid off because by the early evening many dealers in all areas had enjoyed notable sales.
Two of the dealers are also doing Masterpiece. Gordon Watson, the Pimlico guru of 20th century design, is back at Olympia and London’s Peter Petrou, who blends 20th century works with eye-catching stock from all periods and continents (note the collection of 30 Lozi woven baskets from Central East Africa we picture here), makes his Masterpiece debut later this month.
Organisers Clarion Events have finally listened to exhibitors, who have returned in droves, and given them what they want, a broadly-based marketplace with a tried and trusted winning formula. Olympia, which continues until June 17, is unique and, judging by preview day, is right back where it belongs.