This past October the 21st International Fine Art and Antique Dealers fair took place at the Park Avenue Armory. After expressing “apprehension” this past June about how the fair would succeed amidst the global economic crisis, most dealers expressed satisfaction with their results.
Phoenix Ancient Art was present, and with Hicham and Ali Aboutaam there representing their New York and Geneva offices, interest was keen and sales were excellent. Bidding was “feverish” for a statue of a first-century Roman female figure, which ultimately sold for $800,000. Other sales at the Phoenix Ancient Art booth included a Roman bust, selling for $120,000 and a ceramic oinochoe-shaped head vase from 450 BCE which sold for $300,000.
The fair itself had a new flavor, with many veteran exhibiters refraining from attending, but with many more newcomers taking their places and then some. Altogether there were 15 dealers from previous shows not attending, but 21 first-timers displaying their wares.
Mostly gone were the fine arts such as paintings of the impressionist and pointillist genres, with price tags soaring in the multi-million dollar range. Replacing them were the more decorative arts and antiques, with substantially more modest prices.
According to Ann Haughton, responsible for the organization of the highly respected fair, the mood was distinctly up-beat. Many dealers told Ms. Haughton that they saw clients for the first time in two to three years in some cases, and a definite “sea change” in the atmosphere was experienced.