By Isabelle Kellogg in New York
Summer has come to an abrupt halt, but autumn's art and antiques fairs are in full swing. One of the most coveted, and highly anticipated, fairs of the fall season is the Haughton International Fine Art & Antiques Show (IFAAS), which is held at the historic Park Avenue Armory on the Upper East Side. Always a glamorous event, the evening before the show opens to the public on 17 October brings out the best of Manhattan's society who mingle with high-caliber dealers amid priceless fine art, antiques and fine jewelry.
Founded in 1989, this is the city's first vetted antiques and fine arts fair. It remains one of the most prestigious and influential shows held in New York, arguably one of the world's art capitals. The fair has also become renowned for the quality of its jewelry dealers, both estate and contemporary.
Who doesn't like to stroll down the aisles and come upon precious gems that beguile, glitter and sparkle? This year, close to a dozen dealers including Hancocks, Kentshire, A La Vieille Russie and James Robinson will be showing breathtaking baubles and exquisite estate jewelry. A La Vieille Russie, James Robinson and Shrubsole have been with IFAAS since its inception.
Anna and Brian Haughton, co-founders of the fair, enjoy curating and offering a tantalizing array of jewelry. "Jewelry has always been an important part of the fair and we consider it to be as important a collecting area as any other," explains Anna. "It has grown in popularity as it has taken on a more 'collectible' role in the market." Some of world's top jewelry dealers will be participating in this year's IFAAS with important pieces they have hunted down from celebrated collections or important provenances.
According to Anna, jewelry has been vetted since the fair's inception in 1989, alongside all the other art and antiques. By vetting, she means that they do not allow pieces that have "repeatable" designs, i.e. things that are manufactured. Jewelry has to be unique and one-of-a-kind.
Highlights of the jewelry that will be on view at IFAAS include a Georges Fouquet Art Nouveau aquamarine pendant from Hancocks, a pair of 19th century emerald and diamond cluster pendant earrings from Shrubsole, as well as a Paul Flato diamond brooch, a George La Sache Art Deco carved ivory pendant and an Art Nouveau brooch by Fouquet.
The Haughton International Fine Art & Antiques Show runs from 17- 23 October 2014 at The Park Avenue Armory, Park Avenue at 67th Street, New York.
