Masterpiece London is set to begin its ninth edition June 28 – July 4, with a special preview day on June 27. This year’s fair marks its largest to date with 160 exhibitors, including no fewer than 23 firms offering jewelry and watches, from venerable London estate dealers to international contemporary jewelers. Among the newcomers to the fair are London-based jewelers, Moussaieff, Taiwanese jewelry artist, Cindy Chao, and Italian jeweler, Fabio Salini.
The fair, as usual, will be held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and in addition to jewelry, will offer collectors art, design and furniture from antiquity to the present day. It has grown quickly to become a major stop on the international schedule for collectors.
Moussaieff and its managing director, Alisa Moussaieff, will bring its mix of precious materials and individual design to the fair. The precious gems and metals for their high jewelry creations are crafted in its Paris workshop. In addition to its designs, the firm is known for its high-priced gems, which include the Moussaieff Red, one of the largest red diamonds ever seen, and the Moussaieff Blue, a flawless blue diamond which at the time of its acquisition in 2007 broke the world record for price per carat.
Cindy Chao (who operates under the brand name, CINDY CHAO The Art Jewel), will unveil her newest Black Label Masterpieces and White Label pieces at the fair. Since founding her company in 2004, Chao has been known for her artistic interpretations as well as the intricate and refined craftsmanship that brings her creations to life. Each 360-degree work of art is created using the delicate craft of 18th century artisan wax molding, before setting the gemstones. Her works combine eastern motifs with western craftsmanship and sensibility.
Fabio Salini will take approximately 100 of his creations from his atelier in Rome to the fair. His works combines the rich traditions of Italian high jewelry techniques and design with contemporary innovation. Salini worked for the creative departments of Cartier and Bulgari where he honed his skills as a jewelry designer and deepened his artistic knowledge and sensibility before launching his first collection, Crystal, at Petochi, the legendary jewelry boutique in Piazza di Spagna, Rome. He opened his atelier in Rome in 2004, which also serves as his sales salon and business headquarters.
Among those who are returning are two venerable London estate dealers, Hancocks and S.J. Phillips.
Among the approximate 140 pieces being exhibited by Hancocks is an important Van Cleef & Arpels diamond necklace featuring 67 carats of diamonds, a 13.70 carats vintage Asscher diamond ring, a 1920s Cartier desk clock, and an exceptionally rare rose quartz octagonal box by Marchak with mosaic gemstone lid by Vladimir Makowsky.
Meanwhile, S.J. Phillips will bring its extensive stock of antique and modern jewelry, English and Continental silver, sundry snuff boxes and arguably the largest collection of Continental silver available for purchase in the U.K. The company is managed by the Norton family, the grandson and great-grandsons of the original S.J., who founded the company in 1869.
Other jewelers exhibiting at the fair include estate jewelers, Wartski and Véronique Bamps, contemporary high jeweler, Boghossian, Grima, owned by the family of famed London jeweler, Andrew Grima, and the Verdura-Belperron brands, owned by the Landrigan family of New York.
