Antiques market suffers similarly mode effects

The biennial, the most prestigious French event in the field of art and ancient decorative arts, presents an offer very high range that corresponds to the current market demand. Although, as noted by Hervé Aaron, President of ce Salon, "we do not official at the biennial average price", it is common to find objects which exceed 500,000 euros, works which give a stamp of value, of long-term investment in a period subject to many uncertainties.

Rhinoceros horns

This is what is a growing number of buyers of art of all origins. The new rich Chinese, especially lovers of ancient Chinese art, are part of large current target market. A group of some 50 of them participated in the inaugural dinner of the biennial Monday evening. As such, the Brussels Gallery Gisèle Croës exposes several parts that might be of interest to them. According to her, three years ago, these new fortunes are in demand of an object which previously negotiated for about 10,000 euros and now sells about 250,000 euros: the horns of rhinoceros. These lavishly carved sections, used by the aristocracy in the 17th century, are cut in the real Horn of rhinoceros, often imitation bamboo, and are intended to provide the power and health. Even today. Jacques Barrère, specialist in Asian sculpture, exposes him, parts that have always been sought but that interested this new clientele in the enormous purchasing power: Chinese porcelain. He among others presents a verseuse of blue and white porcelain early dated from the 15th century and at the time for the Turkish market, selling for 650,000 euros. Antoine Barrère, the Director of the Gallery, its price was lower for a third three years ago.

It is only the second time that the specialized antiquarian in the end of the 19th century furniture Alain - Guy Chadelaud participate in the Biennale. Unique furniture with often designed and technical prowess for the universal exhibition. Among French fans of the genre, the businessman Antoine Zacharias. The Magnum Opus on this stand is an Edouard Lièvre japonisant - the musée d'Orsay and the Saint Petersburg Hermitage Museum have a nearby model - bronzes decorated with lush Rio rosewood. According to the merchant, five years earlier it is would be negotiated for EUR 1.2 million. Today, he asks 2.2 million.

"Demand reorients itself."

At Didier Aaron, Gallery specializing in the 18th century French, had to face a certain disaffection for the genus for a decade. "It says that the 18th-century furniture is most requested. It is false. The application re-directs. We have excellent sales in recent months. "Simply put, we select works differently", explains Bill g. B Pallot at the gallery. For example exposes a richly carved sofa designed in Berlin circa 1750 to exceptional dimensions (3 metres long) sold for 280,000 euros. "We present the as a sculpture that could completely intermixed with a work by Jeff Koons in a contemporary living room." Ten years ago, the same sofa rated approximately 150,000 euros according to Bill Pallot. Antiques market suffers similarly mode effects. It is changing.

Biennale des antiquaires. September 22 at the Grand Palais.