The Datebook Summer 2017 | Page 30

By Richard Fitzwilliams BADA 2017 A vast display of artefacts! Samuel Prout (1783–1852), Ducal Palace, Venice, Circa 1828, Watercolour with scratching out, 69.8 x 101.2 cm, Courtesy of John Spink ©John Spink. T his prestigious Art and Antiques Fair is now in its 25th year and its Charity Partner is the leading charity for disabled children, KIDS, which benefited from the proceeds from its Gala Dinner. This Fair had a new look this year which included contemporary sculpture and some gorgeous floodlit floral decorations. These were strategically placed so as to create a series of aesthetically pleasing vistas as though they were part of a miniature garden designed in the grand manner. There were also spacious walkways between the stands. All this made the pleasure of browsing even more irresistible. The vast variety of the artefacts on display was evident from the moment of entrance when you could admire oriental figures, tapestries, silverware and even an Elizabethan oak bed. I always marvel at the beauty of the objects and the lavishness of it all. You could say time stood still as you wandered round but there were several stands containing antique clocks as a reminder of ‘tempus fugit’. Farnham Antique Carpets Ltd exhibited examples of wall-to-wall luxury which felt wonderfully sybaritic when you entered their stand. As usual there were a huge variety of paintings and jewellery; Anthea AG Antiques made the jewels it displayed more alluring by adding floral arrangements. One of the most unusual exhibits was the artist Sasha Sykes’s preservation of birds’ nests, which she placed in solid acrylic cubes. These were displayed by Peter Petrou. The Parker Gallery showed a painting by our most famous equestrian artist George Stubbs which experts had previously wrongly believed to be a copy. There was also a fascinating section organised by John Spink, of John Spink Fine Watercolours, which was dedicated to Samuel Prout. He was a celebrated 19th Century watercolour artist who brought cities in Europe, such as Venice, so vividly to life and he was favoured by two monarchs. Those who needed refreshment could find it at the Taittinger Champagne Bar which sold magnums under a giant hoarding designed to tempt passers by. The restaurant, The Pantry, was well lit and airy and the caterers were By Word of Mouth. Circle of Robert Peake the elder (c.1551–1619) Portrait of a lady wearing a patch, Circa 1619–21, Oil on canvas, 76.2 x 50.8 cm Courtesy BADA 2017 © Strachan Fine Art 28 THE LONDON & UK DATEBOOK Each item in this Fair was beautifully preserved and all were polished to perfection. I noticed quite a large number of family portraits hanging in various stands and it would be safe to say that few, if any Fairs of this type, have the lineage or the expertise to compete with this one.