The inaugural Treasure House Fair comes to Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, with the team behind Masterpiece curating a cohort of blue-chip art and design exhibitors from Europe and America
A new art and design fair has arrived to grace London’s summer season in the beautiful Royal Hospital Chelsea – and the good news is that founders and curators Thomas Woodham-Smith and Harry Van der Hoorn have pulled together an exceptional cohort of exhibitors. These include American mid-century heavyweight Geoffrey Diner Gallery, antique A-listers Butchoff, and London art legend Michael Goodhuis alongside many other exciting names including Portuondo and Adrian Sassoon, with an injection of extra glamour provided by Riva.
Treasure House founder and director Thomas Woodham-Smith tells Effect Magazine: “The mix is designed to represent excellence and to be an eclectic but curated selection of among the best-in-class of each dealing discipline.” And while expectations are understandably high, he is remaining cautiously optimistic: “We have every intention of being a permanent fixture in the London summer scene. We may expand, but we will only do so gently and without dilution.”
Comparisons with Masterpiece will be inevitable, given that it has the same founders and venue; and while Woodham-Smith does not discourage this, it’s clear Treasure House is setting its own direction and agenda. He tells Effect: “We see ourselves as developing along the lines we would have developed Masterpiece, were it still in our control. We now live in a world where care and curatorial discipline are ever more important, where time is limited and experiences are key. We want to offer an intense blast of excellence. Artistic, aesthetic, social and gastronomic – this is the artworld future.” It’s a message that is evidently resonating: it’s notable that 40 exhibitors at Treasure House previously exhibited at Masterpiece.
We are a pioneering group ready to take on the world as a family. This is a fair formed by the trade for the trade.
Thomas Woodham-Smith, Founder and Director, Treasure House Fair
The curators are shooting for a theme that is green and summery – “London at its best and most welcoming to the world.” And it’s with well-earned ebullience that Woodham-Smith says: “We are a pioneering group ready to take on the world as a family. This is a fair formed by the trade for the trade, and to promote the London global market.”
Here are 10 treasures to look out for at this year’s inaugural Treasure House Fair:
1. Keshishian: C.T.A 102 tapestry by Victor Vasarely
Victor Vasarely is having a huge moment, and while it’s the Op-Art pioneer’s paintings and screenprints that he’s best known for, this 1966 tapestry from the Tabbard workshop in Aubusson, France is an absolute gem, brought to Treasure House by Keshishian from the design mecca of Pimlico Road in London.
2. Geoffrey Diner Gallery: Monumental Minguren II by George Nakashima
Geoffrey Diner is one of the design world’s great exhibitors. Closely associated with George Nakashima – whose Conoid Bench is exhibiting at Treasure House, he is known for creating powerful, atmospheric stands – not least, his stand at last years’ Masterpiece, which scooped Winner of Outstanding Display. Diner told Effect: “We have come to specialise in masterworks of American design – in particular, George Nakashima, complemented by aesthetically compatible works of recherché Italian design, centred on Gio Ponti.”
3. Adrian Sassoon: Tall Tsutsuji Tower by Hitomi Hosono
Adrian Sassoon is a leading curator and dealer of contemporary ceramics and silver. He’s also an avid exhibitor, passionate about taking his knowledge out into the world and engaging with artists and collectors. Among the many gems at the Adrian Sassoon stand is Tall Tsutsuji Tower by Hitomi Hosono, an artist creating detailed porcelain vessels with leaves and botanical features of breath-taking delicateness.
4. Justin Evershed-Martin: Tie Hua Panels
Created in Wuhu, China, around 1800, this set of four wrought-iron artworks depicts orchids, chrysanthemum, prunus blossom and bamboo, set against handwoven paper. It’s an extraordinary work, brought to the Treasure House Fair by Justin Evershed-Martin.
5. Michael Goedhuis: White Gulls, the Frigid Poultry by Wei Ligang
Michael Goedhuis is a champion of Chinese artist Wei Ligang, whose stunning Peacock – Pearl and Jade and The Dews from the Tung Trees Floating in the Woods stood out at The Winter Show in New York earlier this year. Treasure House Fair is being treated to Wei Ligang’s equally beautiful White Gulls, the Frigid Poultry. Other works to look out for are Wei Ligang’s Thirty-six Concubines-Amber Black and Anthropic System II by Emilie Pugh. Michael Goedhuis is definitely a stand to catch.
6. Peter Harrington: Kate Moss Screenprint by Banksy, 2005
Peter Harrington is known for rare and historic books, and highlights brought to the Treasure House Fair include a first edition of A History of the English- Speaking Peoples, inscribed by Winston Churchill to Anthony Eden. Wonderful though that is, it’s his 2005 Banksy screenprint of Kate Moss that caught our eye.
7. Barnsley Workshop: Aspire II by James Ryan
Artisanal wooden pieces might be very 2023, but Barnsley Workshop in Hampshire have been creating bespoke handmade furniture since 1923. The Aspire II library steps in English walnut by James Ryan are a prime example of their refined and soulful craft.
8. Portuondo: Rare Dry Bar In The Form Of A Fireplace by Pietro Chiesa Giovanni Gariboldi
Portuondo consistently pull out interesting gems with stories to tell, and Rare Dry Bar In The Form Of A Fireplace by Pietro Chiesa Giovanni Gariboldi is definitely worth a visit. A bar disguised as a fireplace, it’s a glamorous Art Deco beauty and a great talking point.
9. Long-Sharp Gallery: BOZO/YOYO/DODO by Mel Bochner
Indianapolis modern and contemporary gallery Long-Sharp have brought a striking 2022 work by Mel Bochner – BOZO/YOYO/DODO, a monoprint in oil with collage, engraving, and embossment on handmade paper.
10. Butchoff: 19th Century Marquetry Cabinet
Butchoff are another top-tier dealer who used to exhibit at the Treasure House Fair’s forebearer, Masterpiece. This 1870 French marquetry cabinet in ebony and ormolu is the kind of imposing and impressive piece Butchoff are famous for, and with engraved brass and pewter, and a mask of Apollo, it’s not short of drama, either.
The Treasure House Fair runs 22–26 June 2023 at Royal Hospital Chelsea, South Grounds, London SW3 4SR
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