The most impressive items at PAD in Berkeley Square come in the form of items inspired by a turtle and a toad
PAD in Berkeley Square, Mayfair – a well curated fair showcasing 20th century art, design and decorative arts – is open until Sunday 9th October. At the fair, the two highlights we discovered were items inspired by toads and turtles.
The first – offered by Siegelson of New York and pictured above – is the Boutet de Monvel floating turtle mystery clock by Cartier. Created in Paris circa 1927, this clever and fun timepiece is composed of a hexagonal marble base in the shape of a column with a water and magnet operated clock above. It originally belonged to the portrait painter Bernard Boutet de Monvel (1881 – 1949) – whose subjects numbered Astors, Fricks, Vanderbilts and Whitneys and whom is described as a man who looked “for the luxury of simplicity”.
A toad by the French sculptor Edouard Martinet (born 1961) is our second choice. It measures 22 cm by 23 cm by 13 cm and is made from scrap metal. It was crafted in 2015 from, amongst other things, a bronze cow bell, car lights, a purse and a water tap filter and the result is something of astonishing beauty. The toad is offered by the London based firm Peter Petrou for £18,500 ($23,000 or €20,700).
To purchase tickets to the fair, click here.
