The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia
Considered one of the highlights of London’s summer calendar, The Art & Antique Fair Olympia is the leading British show of its kind. This large-scale, 4-day event brings together approximately 160 specialist dealers from the UK and the rest of the world offering a huge variety of decorative items. Antiques, old masters, contemporary art, jewellery, furniture, ceramics, mirrors, textiles and silver are just some of the beautiful items found each year. Enjoyed by more than 30,000 visitors annually, it is popular with interior designers, collectors and industry professionals. All of the pieces on sale are checked by experts, so purchases can be made with confidence. A broad itinerary of free talks are programmed during the event as well.
The fair has ceased. To further edition to come.
Mary Claire shares her views!
Fair Director
The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia info
Location
National Hall Entrance
Olympia London
Hammersmith Road
London W14 8UX
United Kingdom
Dates
No further edition
Art Periods
Antique
Modern
Contemporary
Insights The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia
Mary Claire Boyd
Fair Director
What would you say is the DNA of The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia?
The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia is London’s most established art and antiques fair, established in 1971. It is very popular and, amongst the 130 exhibitors, offers a really remarkable choice of art and antiques in an elegant, iconic London landmark. Pieces for sale range from 19th century dining tables to Cartier diamonds, Art Deco lighting to Meissen porcelain, Georgian silver to contemporary art and much more.
What type of galleries are chosen to exhibit, and why?
We work hard to keep the range of stock varied so ensuring there are many different styles and eras in each discipline. Many are specialist and all are very knowledgable in their chosen field.
What is the price range of pieces? Who is the average buyer?
Prices range from £100 to hundreds of thousands of pounds.
“Pieces for sale range from 19th century dining tables to Cartier diamonds, Art Deco lighting to Meissen porcelain, Georgian silver to contemporary art and much more.”
© The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia
Who is the typical attendee of The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia?
I’m not sure we have a typical visitor. We have built up a sizeable following over the years. Certainly collectors like to come as the dealers put aside their best pieces for the fair, and those enthusiasts who just fall in love with pieces and have to have them. Because we have a large number of furniture dealers and decorative pieces, interior designers and home-owners also like to shop with us.
What makes The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia so special?
There is a wonderful sense of discovery at Olympia where you never quite know what will be around the next corner. I find the mixture of old and sitting so beautifully side by side very intoxicating. And talking to the dealers about the history of, or the story behind, the works they are selling, tapping into their years of knowledge and passion for their subject.
What are two other art fairs you would suggest?
Collect is an inspirational collection of the very best of contemporary craft and design across the globe. These are the antiques of the future and an area that we are starting to incorporate into our fair.
Our sister fair the Winter Art & Antiques fair runs in November and has a slightly different feel to our flagship June fair. It will be 30 this year and is proudly British and the last major London fair before Christmas with an opulent, winter atmosphere.
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