LAPADA — got a spare £100k?
LAPADA is the largest UK trade association of art & antiques dealers. It was founded in 1974 but most people in London probably know the name from the Berkeley Square fair they’ve been hosting since 2009. If you’ve never been, it’s basically a car boot sale for billionaires. There’s a crazy range of jewellery, antique furniture, modern art and household furnishings to browse, but unlike Frieze the people-watching leaves a lot to be desired.
If I had a spare hundred grand, and I don’t, these are the eight items I’d have bought from this year’s booths. Assuming the prices were inclusive of VAT. Silly me, I forgot to ask! Then again, you know what they say: If you have to ask how much it costs…
Black Forest Mantel Clock (£2,450)
“This is extremely rare” says the card. It’s from circa 1895 and the hat and glasses are bronze. The clock still works and the glasses even lift up and down!
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“Le Poème de L’Angle Droit” by Le Corbusier (£4,650)
Original colour lithograph, from an edition of 250. Published by Tèriade in Paris in 1955.
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Samurai Helmet (£5,500)
An actual iron samurai helmet from the 16th - 17th century, which has gunshot battle damage. The crab claws are removable.
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Mahogany table with inlaid chess board (£6,500)
Louis XVI period. Ivory exempt. There’s a backgammon board inset as well.
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King Penguin (£7,950)
Tobias Martin original bronze, 28” high. From an edition of 12.
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“From the Ark to Regent’s Park - 1931” (£9,500)
I’m a sucker for old Tube posters and anything with penguins, which you can see climbing the very first wooden Tube escalator depicted on the bottom right of this design by Arnrid Banniza Johnson (1895-1972).
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The Emperor (£28,500)
Because one penguin isn’t enough, here’s an original bronze by Richard Smith that stands 43 1/2” tall. Also from an edition of 12.
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Table clock (£35,000)
A rare highly decorative small hour-striking table clock made for the Turkish Ottoman Market, circa 1720. It’s 37.5cm tall and it still works! You can see the innards through the clear glass panels on either side and the back.
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Plan your visit
‘LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair’ runs from 22-27 October 2024.
Tickets are available on the door at £27 per person.
Visit lapadalondon.com for more info about the fair.
Visit lapada.org and follow @lapada_association on Instagram for more info about the association.
PLUS…
Check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.
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