M
asterpiece is filling the void left by the demise of the
grande dame of shows -- the Grosvenor House Art & Antiques
Fair in 2009. Masterpiece chairman Philip Hewat-Jaboor, who
jumpstarted Sotheby���s Client Services Department, says, �����We
wanted Masterpiece to become an experience, an event and a
reflection of the international taste of those who live and work
here as well as foreign visitors.���
��
The back-story to Masterpiece is that Brit dealers Simon Phillips
(Ronald Phillips), Harry Apter (Apter-Fredericks), Giles
Hutchinson Smith (Mallett), and Thomas Woodham-Smith
teamed up with Harry van der Hoorn (Stabilo International,
which builds the Maastricht TEFAF) to create a new London
fair. They each plunked down a staggering amount to launch
Masterpiece three years ago.
��
With central London lacking a suitable venue, the organizers
built one from the ground up: a 17,000 square foot tent like
structure, which took 1,000 workers to complete. ��The exterior
is akin to a splendid Georgian brick edifice complete with
columned facade.
��
Then four-star touches like the swish Harry���s Bar and the
Caprice Restaurant right on the fair floor cater to discriminating
palettes.
��
Further glam touches include a special exhibition, Brilliant,
curated by the jewelry editor of British Vogue, Carol Woolton.
There are crowns and necklaces set with massive gems but
HYLAND
