The Dazzling American International Fine Arts Fair in Palm Beach

Modeling stunning Graff diamonds

The elegant and exclusive Preview Party of the 15th edition of the American International Fine Arts Fair in Palm Beach drew Newport Seen once again. and we returned again and again during the Fair for a closer look at the dazzling paintings, jewelry, furniture, photography, china, vintage furniture, suits of armor -- and to hear the fascinating expert lectures, one on "Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Renoir and the advantage of old age", given by Robert Ward, Chief Curator of the Norton Museum of Art. and repeated later in the week, by demand.

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A small, exquisite Renoir portrait

The attendees at the Vernissage were greeted by stunning Graff models offering glasses of champagne, which decidedly set the mood, wearing exquisite jewelry by Graff Diamonds. Tiffany & Co., was there, along with art, antiquities, paintings and furniture. Dealers came from London, New York, Paris, Italy, Monaco..... The Convention Center in West Palm once again became an elegant architectural agora of fine shops, enclaves, dining areas, and interestingly spaced interior walls, its own evanescent Musée.

Newporters James (Jay) Serzan, and KSN (a media shy fellow) made the rounds greeted friends, studied the art works, and Mr. N. and was smitten with a Childe Hassam- like painting by John Henry Twachtman. Dress designer Annika, in her own "Black Swan" creation, and the elegant Charlotte Hamilton, author of "FitFace" added drama to the evening.

Fashion Producer Anjelika Kouznetsova in her Black Swan dress

Several Fernand Botero paintings were on display from different dealers, and there was a small Van Gogh portrait. An enormous 18th century French clock by Pierre Philippe Threniere, from the Toulouse Gallery, gave new meaning to the word rococo. The lively jumble of French Moroccan café chairs, a set of 24, flanked the opening of Mallett Galleries, of New York and Bond Street, and attracted great attention.

Other lectures, interspersed throughout the week, and followed by caviar receptions in the VIP lounge, included "Fragile Beautry: Chinese Export Porcelain 1500-1900", by Ron Fuchs II, Curator of the Reeves Collection, Washington and Lee University, and "Picasso: The Birth of Genius" by Marlene Strauss.

The Fair this year closed with record attendance of 42,500 and strong sales reported by a number of dealers. during 10-day event, with many dealers reported outstanding sales results. “We had the best fair in the 14 years that we have been participating in Palm Beach,” said arms and armor dealer Peter Finer of London. Italian goldsmith and jeweler Buccellati echoed these sentiments: “This was also the best year in our long fair participation as well.” In reporting multiple important sales, Jonathan Green of Richard Green Antiques commented “We were very pleased with our Palm Beach results this year.”

Author Charlotte Hamilton with an exquisite portrait

“The U.S. economy, the general mood of the attendees and our sales has clearly improved this year,” said Michael James of The Silver Fund. “All the right people were here this year”. One day we were processing three black American Express cards at the same time!” Howard Brassner of Brassner Fine Art quipped “This is the first year our gallery participated in AIFAF - now I know why they call it the big Palm Beach show!”

Organizers David and Lee Ann Lester announced that the theme of the fair in 2012 will be “Paris – Palm Beach” which will feature French galleries, artwork, jewelry, food, and wines. The Fair’s well received lecture series will be broadened in 2012. . Ancillary social events including evening activities hosted by dealers – first introduced in 2009 - will return to the 2012 schedule. Newport Seen will be there!

18th century French clock by Pierre Philippe Threniere

Among the substantial sales at the Fair:
Waterhouse & Dodd sold a Renoir watercolor for $100,000 and an oil painting by French painter Albert Gleizes for approximately $1M in addition to six other works.

Richard Green of London reported sales of six paintings reaching the multimillion levels.

Arms & armor dealer Peter Finer also reported a multimillion dollar sales total.

Brassner Fine Art sold a Botero for $190,000 as well as a Childe Hassam for approximately $1M.

Modern art works caught the eye

Mark Borghi Fine Art sold six artworks including artwork by Andy Warhol, John Chamberlain and Elaine de Kooning.

The Silver Fund reported sales throughout the fair to old and new clients. “This was by far our most successful fair in recent years,” said owner Michael James.

American dealers Avery Galleries, Alexander Gallery, Questroyal Fine Art, Thomas Colville and Rehs Galleries all reported numerous sales and a successful and profitable fair.