The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair

An elegant foil for the January blues

The New Year is the time to indulge in some self-gifting to diffuse the wrong-present-disappointment syndrome that affects many in January. To remedy this, The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair at the London Marriott Hotel on Grosvenor Square, which runs from January 9 to 12 (tickets £10, including catalogue), could be a fine place to go.

A pair of brooch-like 1960s Cartier terrier clips in 18ct gold, each with one ruby eye and one in black enamel and diamond (£6,800 from Anthea AG Antiques, first picture), could very nicely replace an ill-thought-out scarf with a thing of beauty. The pair of Asprey 1930s silver cocktail shakers in the shape of dumbbells (£5,000 from Hampton Antiques, second picture), meanwhile, could be put to very good use in grim January, when a dumbbell-shaken martini is surely a necessity – as opposed to any real exercise.  

This is just the second Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair, organised by The Antiques Fair Limited, with 44 dealers selling a wealth of riches. “We had such lovely comments from people saying that the first fair was quite unique and totally different from other London fairs, as it is very informal and relaxed,” says fair director Ingrid Nilson. “Ninety per cent of our dealers are going to be returning – with many coming from abroad.”

Informal and relaxed atmosphere aside, many of the objects for sale are highly desirable, such as a William and Mary period Kingswood kneehole desk by Thomas Pistor of Ludgate Hill (third picture), priced at £50,000 from WR Harvey & Co. A rare 1943 Patek Philippe gentleman’s wristwatch in rose gold from Anthony Green Antiques (fourth picture) will no doubt be snapped up for £25,000. At the other end of the price scale, a stunning sycamore, walnut and ebony art-deco desk (fifth picture) is to be sold for £1,850 by Jeroen Markies, and would indeed make a present of great and rare beauty – even if it has to be paid for oneself.