Haughtons' Art & Antiques Dubai attracts top UK & US dealers and ministerial patronage

Key international art and antique dealers have confirmed they will be participating in Art and Antiques Dubai from 21st-24th February 2008.

The fair is the latest top-flight art and antiques event to be launched by Haughton International Fairs and is unprecedented in the Gulf Region.

The Haughtons are also delighted to announce that His Excellency Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth & Community Development, has agreed to be the patron of Art & Antiques Dubai.

His Excellency comments that, "it is my wish to support all activities and events which serve the growth and development of the UAE....my thanks to you for all good efforts you have been making."

"The decision to host an art and antiques fair in the Middle East has received overwhelming support from the international art world," says Giles Haughton, on behalf of Haughton Fairs, adding that "the Middle East offers enormous possibilities for decorative and fine art dealers and we are happy to be among the first to arrive during this burgeoning period of awareness and growth."

Haughton International Fairs are renowned for providing a superb showcase for art and antiques of the highest calibre at their New York and London fairs and the Dubai event will be no exception. Exhibitors in Dubai will include prestigious names such as Koopman Rare Art (London) leading international dealers in antique silver and works of art. "We have traded at the top level in this market for many years and are excited to get the opportunity to bring a fine selection of top quality silver to Dubai," commented Timo Koopman about the upcoming Middle East fair.

He plans to bring the best of his stock, which includes work by England's greatest silversmiths, Paul Storr (1771-1844) and Paul de Lamerie (1688-1751), responsible for some of the most important and valuable silverware ever produced.

Fine art on offer will range over period and contemporary, featuring western, Middle-Eastern and Far Eastern material. Among these are Orientalist paintings reflecting the fascination with the Middle East and its way of life, as experienced by European artists in the 19th century.

This interest endures today with Orientalist paintings highly sought-after on the international art market A selection are represented at the fair, on the stand of the internationally respected fine art dealer Mathaf Gallery (London), who have specialized in Orientalism for over 25 years.

Waterhouse & Dodd (London) offer paintings from 1870 to the present day, mainly by European artists but with a growing contemporary Middle Eastern inventory. At the fair they will be offering Post-Impressionist, modern and contemporary material with works by Picasso, Joan Miro, Paul Signac and Henry Moore included. In addition, there is Ayyam Gallery (Damascus) who will offer a works by leading modern and contemporary Syrian artists.

The culture and lifestyle of the Middle East will also be reflected in the works of art on offer at London dealer in Islamic art, Amir Mohtashemi, while Bernard J. Shapero Rare Books offer early maps of the region together with a selection of books and early photographs.

Decorative arts - a favourite with regional art collectors in the Middle East -- will be strongly represented at Art & Antiques Dubai. Vintage and contemporary design will be an important presence via top American dealers such as Cristina Grajales and Maison Gerard from New York. According to Benoist Drut, co-owner of Maison Gerard, collectors in the Middle East, have "extraordinary style and refinement". He plans to showcase pieces such as a rare group of painted glass panels, created by Jean Dupas in 1934 for the famous ocean liner, SS Normandie.