That fixture is now firmly established as one of the world's top fairs and it runs this month from October 22 to 28. Lots more on that in the coming weeks, but before that comes the Haughtons' most recently inaugurated event, The International Art and Design Fair, which will be held at the same venue from October 8 to 13.
The design fair was launched in 1999 under the name of The International 20th Century Arts Fair, but, with the onset of the new millennium, the name was changed to incorporate the most recent contemporary work.
There is no doubt that of all Haughton events this most recent one is the most problematical. With changing tastes over the past decade Modernism has come to the fore and this fair was created to meet that demand. But, whereas with their other events the organisers could teach the Americans a thing or two, in this field there were already, and still are, design fairs which were firmly established in a market the Americans generally understand better than the British.
This fair did not, therefore, experience the instant success and acclaim that, for example, the Haughtons' March Asian art fair achieved. But it has made its mark and this outing boasts 47 international dealers, 10 more than the same event last year.
The fact that 17 of them are new to the fair indicates a considerable turnover of exhibitors, but, while, unlike the International later in the month, dealers are not queuing up to get a stand at this one, the places obviously get filled.
What's more, the fair does attract big names and certainly has breadth.
It covers jewellery, furniture, much fine art and even areas like ethnographica which, while definitely 20th century and a seminal influence on modern design, does not readily spring to mind as Modernist.
Whatever the medium, though, all items are strictly
vetted.
Naturally, Art Deco will be well represented, as will the later decorative arts of the Italian, Belgian, French, English and US designers. Contemporary Japanese work is covered to good effect as is photography.
The exhibiting dealers come from the United States, Australia, France, Italy, the UK, Denmark and Sweden. Prices range up to $850,000, asked by New York's Robert Gingold for a monumental pair of Art Deco bronze panels, designed and signed by Paul Jouve and executed by Edgar Brandt.
Do not miss the stand of leading bronze sculpture dealers Sladmore Gallery of London, long-time specialists in the works of that most beguiling and gifted of animalier sculptors Rembrandt Bugatti (1885-1916).
The stand will exhibit the work of Bugatti and celebrate the American launch of the new excellent book Rembrandt Bugatti - Life in Sculpture by Edward Horswell, a director of the Sladmore and an authority on the sculptor.
This is the first truly comprehensive monograph on the artist and is a welcome work, informative but also obviously a labour of love. Featuring 275 illustrations, it costs $85 (£45). Details on www.sladmore.com.
Admission to The International Art and Design Fair is $16.
