Gulf's collectors welcome region's premier art fair

With an impressive international exhibitor line up showing important and rare art works by Picasso, Paul Storr, and David Roberts, among many others, the event has been received by the Gulf's art community as a 'must attend' event.

"As organisers, we believe the arrival of a high calibre art and antiques fair is a timely addition to the ongoing initiatives being taken across the GCC art world,"

said Brian Haughton, co-organiser of 'Art Antiques Design Dubai'.

International art experts have identified regional art preferences to include ornate furniture, ceramic and antiques with historical significance, armoury and vintage jewellery.

One of the world's leading silver dealers, Koopman Rare Art, from London, will be returning in 2009 following its overwhelming success with Middle Eastern silverware collectors at the inaugural fair last year.

Among the Koopman highlights this year is an impressive pair of George III candelabra, (priced in six figures in pounds sterling) bearing the maker's mark of Benjamin Smith and the arms of the Coote family. They can be compared with a single candelabrum from the collection of the Duke of Sussex, sold at Sotheby's London in 1982 and now in the Al Tajir Collection.

Haughton added: "Only the most established and reputable art and antiques dealers are permitted to participate at Haughton fairs, and we are happy to confirm exhibitor participation in 2009 from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates."

New exhibitor Bundakji Contemporary Islamic Art, present in KSA and UAE, will be exhibiting artworks by Saudi Arabian artist Adilah Bundakji from the contemporary Islamic Art category.

New exhibitor from the UAE, Meem Gallery, specialise in modern and contemporary Middle Eastern Art and will be participating with Noor Islamic Art which specialises in Islamic Manuscripts and Arms and Armour from the Islamic world.

Reputed for showcasing rare books and manuscripts, Bernard Shapero will be returning to the fair in 2009 with exhibits such as a rare, complete set of the first edition of David Roberts' six volume first edition of The Holy Land. Priced at USD 480,000, the set is one of only 200 subscribers's copies published, of which very few survive intact,.

Contemporary Orientalist paintings by Philip Bouchard, and Moroccan artist Nourredine Daiffalah, will be exhibited by Whitford Fine Art, another prominent name across the art world.

Exhibiting categories have expanded in 2009 to include greater emphasis on "design" dealers and the components of interior design, in addition to dealers exhibiting Islamic works of art, ceramics and porcelain, antique jewellery, historic books and manuscripts, priceless silverware and vintage furniture.

"As international fair organisers and dealers, we strongly believe the GCC is well positioned to welcome a wide international audience of art lovers," concluded Haughton.

Art Antiques Design Dubai will take place at the Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeirah from 18-22 February 2009.