Inaugural Art and Antiques Dubai fair is 'best-in-class for Middle East region,' say galleries and attendees

The fair - which was held under the patronage of His Excellency Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al-Owais, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth & Community Development, along with the full support of Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing - is thought to have sold works valued multiple millions of USD.

'The extremely positive response from the Arab world to the fair clearly indicates the emergence of a new market for top quality art,' said Brian Haughton, organizer of 'Art & Antiques Dubai'.

VIP attendees included respected members from leading families from across the region and top level executives from government institutions.

'The Middle Eastern connoisseur is the new segment of sophisticated Arab art buyers joining the international art collectors circle,' further commented Brian Haughton.

With strong support from the global art and antiques spectrum, the Haughtons are successfully pioneering this emerging market and look to support Arab collectors with an annual platform to top-flight fine art and antiques dealers.

One of the world's most important dealers in fine 18th and early 19th century English furniture, Simon Phillips of Ronald Phillips Ltd in London enjoyed widespread interest at the fair.

'People here are hugely interested and curious, which is very exciting,' said Simon Phillips.

Lesley Kehoe Galleries from Australia, an antique and contemporary Japanese art dealer, reported major sales exceeding $100,000. New York based Alastair Crawford deals in Georg Jensen silver and also reported substantial sales reaching multiple thousands in USD.

Based in London, leading Islamic arts dealer, Amir Mohtashemi said, 'Exhibiting at 'Art & Antiques Dubai' was beneficial to expanding our client base in the region through the vast number of good contacts we were able to make at the fair.'

Collecting categories on display included Islamic works of art; silver; antique and modern jewellery; rare porcelain and ceramics; a broad range of furniture and decorative arts; and fine art, including Middle Eastern, Indian, and Western paintings, drawings, and sculpture.