Throughout the fair, collectors can expect to see works that have not been on the market for decades, if not longer. Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books AG (Stand 109) will exhibit the TalbotBeauchamp Book of Hours, an illuminated manuscript on vellum, created in Rouen c.1430. This engaging manuscript only recently resurfaced after having disappeared from the public eye for more than 80 years. This Book of Hours was likely created for the renowned English nobleman Sir John Talbot (or his wife). Talbot played an important role during the Hundred Years’ War and in the trial against Joan of Arc.

Bedford / Dunois Masters, Talbot-Beauchamp Book of Hours, 1430. Illuminated manuscript on vellum, 22.1 x 15.5 cm (8.7 x 6.1 in.). Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books AG, Stand 109. © 2020 TEFAF

New exhibitor to TEFAF Maastricht, French dealer Galerie Jean-Christophe Charbonnier (Stand 184) who specialise exclusively in Japanese arms and armour will exhibit a HonKozane Tachi-Dô style Daimyô Armour. The armour, which comes from the first half of the Edo period, is entirely covered in silver laquer (gindame), which makes the suit extremely rare. The high cost of this lacquer as well as the technical complexity of its production. Combined with a hon-kozane (iron and leather scales) structure, makes this armour truly exception and the only known such example outside Japan.

Daimyô armour of hon-kozane tachi-dô type. Iron, lacquer, leather, silk, bearing the crests of the Abe 阿部 family, daimyô of Sanuki 佐貫 in Kazusa 上総. The whole suit of armour covered in 'gindame' (silver lacquer), 133 x 85 x 60 cm (52.4 x 33.5 x 23.6 in.). Galerie Jean-Christophe Charbonnier, Stand 184. © 2020 TEFAF

TEFAF La Haute Joaillerie, which can be found within TEFAF Antiques, welcomes a new exhibitor to the section – BHAGAT (Stand 142). This section provides visitors with an highly curated selection of the world’s finest jewellers and jewellery dealers. BHAGAT is presenting an exceptional sapphire and diamond ring, set in platinum. The piece reflects BHAGAT’s dedication to creating and manufacturing one-of-a-kind pieces of jewellery and will be one of a selection of high quality works from the jeweller.

Bhagat. A ring. Burmese sapphire and diamonds set in platinum, 3.1 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm (1.2 x 1 x 0.6 in.), 2019. BHAGAT, Stand 142. © 2020 TEFAF

Throughout the fair, collectors and visitors can expect to see some of the most interesting paintings available on the market to date López de Aragón (Stand 175) will exhibit Valencian Fiesta, oil on canvas, 1893, by Joaquín Sorolla (1863 – 1923), which has been in a private collection for almost 40 years and has not been in a public exhibition since 1990. The work is exceptionally high quality and comes from Sorolla’s most renowned period.

New to TEFAF Maastricht and in TEFAF Paintings is Nicolás Cortés (Stand 369) who will bring a rediscovered work by Anthonis Mor (1516 – 1575/1576). The work had previously been attributed to several artists but has recently been confirmed as by the artist Mor. The two large companion tables with the portraits of the donors and the figures of San Jeronimo and Santa Clara were originally swingin doors of a triptych. The whereabouts of the central panel is unknown. The work is of extraordinary quality; the figures have been treated with great realism resulting in a tactile appearance.

Anthonis Mor, Wings of an Altarpiece: Male donor with Saint Jerome and Female donor with Saint Clare. (Exterior: vanitas scenes). Oil on panel, 208.5 x 77.5 cm (82 x 30.5 in.). Nicolás Cortés, Stand 369. © 2020 TEFAF

So often, like the Anthonis Mor duo, is artwork used in public settings. Whilst the Mor will have been used in a religious setting, a work by Theo van Doesburg (1883 -1931), which Galerie Gmurzynska (Stand 404), part of TEFAF Modern Art, will exhibit, was the design created to refurbish the interior of the historical Café L’Aubette building, at the Place Kléber in Strasborg. The color design was for the ceiling and three walls of the building, which was part of the buildings conversion into a complex with restaurants, bars, cabaret and the ciné-dancing hall. It was commissioned in 1926 and van Doesburg worked together with Jean Arp (1886 – 1966) and Sophie Taeuber-Arp (1889 - 1943) to create what would become one of the most iconic works of De Stijl, still on display today. 

Theo van Doesburg (1883 -1931), Color design for ceiling and three walls for the Café de l'Aubette Ciné-dancing wallpainting in Strasburg, 1926. Gouache on paperboard, 43 x 74.5 cm (16.9 x 29.3 in.) Galerie Gmurzynska, Stand 404. © 2020 TEFAF

Provenance: Madame Bloemena, The Netherlands.

In a similar vein, Mayoral (Stand 445) will exhibit Mural G-103, a fired clay and oxide copper mural created in 1985 by Eduardo Chillida (1924 - 2002). This is an exceptionally rare work – it is not known how many murals Chillida made, but it was certainly very few and as it stands there are no further examples of murals by the artists for sale in the market today. In addition, this work comes to market for the first time in 30 years – a unqiue collecting opportunity.

Eduardo Chillida, Mural G-103, 1985. Fired clay with oxide copper, 329 x 329 x 6 cm (129.5 x 129.5 x 2.4 in.). Mayoral, Stand 445. © 2020 TEFAF

Provenance: Private collection, Spain.

Exhibited: Helsinki, Galerie Kaj Forsblom, Chillida, 1989; Barcelona, Fundació Miró, Chillida, 1986; Zurich, Galerie Maeght Lelong, Chillida. Sculptures de terre, 1985.

TEFAF Modern Art, TEFAF Design and TEFAF Works on Paper provide collectors with the opportunity to acquire works either directly from artists or some of the most recently made artworks in the market. The Mayor Gallery (Stand 451) will offer Old Lady II, a sculptural work crafted from fabric, wood, and stuffing, by Jann Haworth (b.1942) in 1967. This work comes directly from the artist, who is also the author of the famous album cover Sergent Pepper for The Beatles. Hawroth currently has a sole exhibition at Pallant House in the UK.

Jann Haworth (b.1942), Old Lady II, 1967. Fabric, thread, wood, stuffing, leather and rocking chair, 101.6 x 50.8 cm (40 x 20 in.). The Mayor Gallery, Stand 451. © 2020 TEFAF

Provenance: The artist.

Two of the most recent works can be found in TEFAF Design and TEFAF Works on Paper. US based dealer Jason Jacques (Stand 613) will exhibit works by Japanese sculptor Katsuyo Aoki (b.1972), who works exclusively in porcelain. Aoki wants viewers to meditate on the brittle nature of life through her skull-like sculptures, and is aware of the aesthetic tension this has due to the prolific use of the skull in fashion and sub-culture. Predictive Dream LVX and LVIII, 2019, come to market at TEFAF Maastricht directly from the artist.

Norwegian dealers Galleri K (Stand 718) in TEFAF Works on Paper will exhibit large scale works by German artist Thomas Struth (b.1954), ALICE, CERN, Saint Genis-Pouilly, 2019, depicts the large hadron collider in CERN, an institution at the vanguard of global scientific discovery. This work comes in an edition of 6.

Thomas Struth (b.1954), ALICE, CERN, Saint Genis-Pouilly, 2019. Inkjet print, 277.1 x 236.4 cm (109 x 93 in.). Galleri K, Stand 718.

From the very recent to some of the oldest objects on the market, collectors can look forward to an exquisite selection of works in TEFAF Ancient Art. Charles Ede (Stand 426) will offer a an exceptional terracotta Greek cup. The decoration of the cup demonstrates a rare technique incorporating both red- and black-figures. The work dates to around 530BC and marks an important turning point when the stiffer black-figure technique was superseded by a more fluid, red-figure decoration. The cup also depicts what could be interpreted as a gay pick up line – inscribed are the words ‘Kalos’ and ‘Cha[i]re’. ‘Kalos’ means ‘The boy is beautiful’ and ‘Chaire’ is a greeting – the ancient equivalent of ‘Ciao bello’ perhaps.

The unqiue role of a dealer is that, due to their expertise and network, they have the capacity to find collections of works that provide unrivalled collecting opportunities for buyers. Galerie Kevorkian (Stand 432) acquired an important French collection of oriental archaeology, comprising 40 pieces, which has mainly but not exclusively centred around the Iranian world.

One of the most extraordinary pieces in the collection is Acrobat sitting on top of a ladder, late 3rd – 2nd millennium BC, crafted in bronze.

Acrobat sitting on a ladder, late 3rd – 2nd millennium BC. Bronze, Height 23.5 cm (9.2 in.). Galerie Kevorkian, Stand 432. © 2020 TEFAF

Provenance: Jean-Paul Barbier collection, prior 1965; Hôtel Drouot, Paris, Collection Jean-Paul Barbier, Bronzes antiques de la Perse, 27 May 1970 : lot 113 Collection X, London and New York (Inv. n° 1557) Hôtel Drouot, Paris, Collection X. (8th sale), Bronzes et Terres cuites, Louristan–Amlash, 22 September 1982 : lot 8 Private collection of Dr. and Mrs. F.M., Paris (Inv. n° 38).

TEFAF Tribal Art, intermingled with TEFAF Design, welcomes 6 exhibitors. Parisian dealers Lucas Ratton (Stand 623) will present a highly expressive and beautifully carved 19th-century Songye statue. The figure belongs to the Kalebwe ya Ntambwe style, which is one of the rarest from the Songye’s production; the carving of the work gives the figure an important presence, a soul.

Songye figure. Wood, metal, fiber and cloth. Height 64 cm (25.2 in.). Lucas Ratton, Stand 623. ®HughesDubois. © 2020 TEFAF

Provenance: Collection Pierre Dartevelle’s, Brussels; Collection Jan Lundberg’s, Malmö; Collection Anita Schröder’s, Malmö; Galerie Ratton-Hourdé, Paris.

Galerie Ratton-Hourdé, Magie Noire, June 2009.