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Mesopotamia to Mid-Century Modern at TEFAF Maastricht 2018

TEFAF Maastricht is held in the MECC (Maastricht Exhibition & Conference Centre) from 10 – 18 March 2018. The fair will present more than 280 of the world’s finest art, antiques and design dealers, who will bring their very best pieces to the 2018 edition of the Fair. TEFAF was founded by art dealers in 1988 and run as a non-profit foundation. The fair has a proud history of showcasing masterpieces in every category of fine art – from antiques, Old Masters and Haute Joaillerie to contemporary painting, works on paper and 20th century design.

Applications to the exhibit at the world's pre-eminent organization of fine art, antiques and design are competitive and vigorous. Over a two day period before the fair opens, each item is scrutinized and authenticated by TEFAF's Vetting Committee comprising 189 experts working in 29 countries.

Meet the Exhibitors

Kollenburg Antiquairs (Stand 182). Filippino Lippi (c.1457-1504), Saint Albinus and Saint Bernardus,

Florence, 1496, tempera on panel, 32 x 44.4 cm (12.5 x 17.5 in.). Source: TEFAF 2018

Eight major categories of works are represented at the fair and laid out in sections. The largest section, TEFAF Antiques, features 90 dealers of outstanding fine and decorative arts pieces. Kollenburg Antiquairs is exhibiting Saint Albinus and Saint Bernardus, 1496, tempera on panel, by Filippino Lippi (c.1457–1504). This work is coming to market for the first time in over one hundred years and was part of a larger alterpiece, painted for the Convent of the San Donato agli Scopetipainted. Axel Vervoordt will also present a beautiful 1st century AD marble sculpture of the Head of Venus Genetrix, coming to market for the first time since the 1960s.

Axel Vervoordt (Stand 424). Head of Venus Genetrix, Roman Empire - 1st century A.D.

Marble. Height 20.5 cm (8 in.). Source: TEFAF 2018

Highlights at TEFAF Modern include Van de Weghe, who will offer an exceptional oil on canvas work by Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), Tête d’Homme, 1965. Antonacci Lapiccirella Fine Art is also featured in the section TEFAF Paintings, offering an unpublished painting by Antonio Canova (1757–1822) which marks a significant addition to knowledge of the great sculptor’s work as a painter.

Van de Weghe (Stand 510). Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Tête d’Homme, 1965. Oil on canvas, 41.5 x 33 cm (16.3 x 13 in.) .

Signed lower right 'Picasso' and dated on the reverse '2.4.65.IV'. Source: TEFAF 2018

The section TEFAF Paper provides visitors with fine arts pieces on paper. Spanish dealer Artur Ramon will present an unpublished work by José de Ribera (1591–1652) entitled Philosopher, an oil on canvas work. Stephen Ongpin Fine Art will present a magnificent ink drawing by Théodore Géricault, Study of a Lion, which has been in a private collection since 1980s.

Stephen Ongpin Fine Art (Stand 724).Théodore Géricault (1791-1824), Study of a Lion, 1791.

Pen and brown ink and grey wash, with touches of pencil and red wash, 9.9 x 11.7 cm (3.8 x 4.6 in.). Source: TEFAF 2018

The section TEFAF Ancient Art enables visitors to view some of the oldest works of art available to buy today, a remarkable piece would be a Mayan polychrome cylinder vase depicting young corn gods on jaguar skin cushion, which dates from 550–950AD, presenting by the US based The Merrin Gallery.

TEFAF Tribal, the newest section of the fair, allows visitors to find items of rich cultural history. A Standing Statue, from New Ireland, black Uli, will be exhibited by Belgian dealer Bernard de Grunne Tribal Fine Arts in this section.

Bernard de Grunne Tribal Fine Arts (Stand 121). Standing Statue, Black Uli, New Ireland.

Wood. Height 41.6 cm (16.4 in.). Source: TEFAF 2018

TEFAF Design, a section that comprise 15 dealers and exhibit selection of rare and award-winning art objects. New York based Demisch Danant are offering an impressive wall library, which was crafted in 1958 and then presented at the Brussels International Exposition in the same year. It was awarded the Grand Prix and Gold Medal at the Exposition.

TEFAF Showcase

Each year, the Selection Committee of TEFAF Showcase invites five young dealers across different categories of art to present at TEFAF for the first time. This year, they are Galerie Le Beau, Charles-Wesley Hourdé, Kallos Gallery, Cortesi Gallery, and Librairie Camille Sourget. Galerie Le Beau will have a stand dedicated to four lounge chairs crafted from plywood, rope and fabric. The chair designed and produced by José Zanine Caldas (1919–2001), who created a chair in 1949 for production by a company set up to make furniture in affordable materials for those with an eye for modern style but limited budgets.

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