Highlights of this year’s PAD art and design fair in Berkeley Square, London
Now in its ninth year, PAD – a tent filled with its organisers describe as “a showcase of some of the world’s most covetable art and design pieces” – opened in Mayfair on Wednesday and runs until Sunday 18th October.
Featuring 63 international galleries, of which 15 are newcomers to the fair, items on display range from contemporary furniture to jewellery and tribal art. Whilst not as bold as it has been in previous years, one highlight is a truly eccentric taxidermy tableaux of two red squirrels engaged in a fencing match on Finch & Co’s stand priced at £7,500 ($11,600, €10,100). The creation of Walter Potter (1835 – 1918), the work was originally displayed at Mr Potter’s museum in Sussex and later at the Museum of Curiosities at Jamaica Inn in Cornwall. It truly is a fine example of “Victorian whimsy” and would make for a great talking point in any home.
Continuing with another work that will provoke comment, French dealers Sèvres offer a life-sized statue of a spitting girl for £37,000 ($57,000, €50,000). Signed by its creator, a Finnish ceramic sculptor named Kim Simonsson, the biscuit porcelain and 24 carat gold porcelain work is a one-off and is a typical example of what Kaj Kalin has described as a style that “looks like life threatening toys”.
First time exhibitor Siegelson – just as with their stand at Masterpiece – is undoubtedly the must visit of the show. Their star offering is a set of two bracelets, a necklace and a cape clip in silver that was once owned by the Rockefeller family. It is priced at £825,000 ($1.275 million, €1.1 million) and we urge visitors to take a look at it. The company’s Bill Rhodes will delight in telling you of its history and will no doubt regale you with countless other amusing tales.
Whilst catering at PAD is provided in the form of a bar designed by Francis Sultana that is said to be “inspired by French post-war and contemporary design” on the first floor of the tent, visitors would be advised to wander 3 minutes down the road to Bellamy’s if in need of refreshment. A glass of Ruinart champagne at PAD costs £14; an entire bottle of perfectly quaffable wine at Bellamy’s is just £19.
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