One hundred dealers put quality first

Fine art and antiques from classical antiquity to the classical modern

Cologne (pts023/17.02.2005/11:00) The Westdeutsche Kunst Messe Köln is a "top art trade address, particularly in the area of classical modern art," claims Hamburg dealer Thole Rotermund, who goes on to praise the fair's consistently high quality standards and the impressive range of the exhibits. Munich dealer Stefan Brenske agrees, adding: "Dealers are always motivated to bring an excellent range of top quality goods because of the solid presence of so many collectors in so many fields in the Rhineland and the broad stratum of collectors actively on the acquisition trail in the neighbouring Benelux countries." For Munich dealer Maulberger, the fair is clearly "the most important spring event for fine art and antiques in Germany."
The fair runs from February 23 to 27 2005.

This high praise sets a benchmark. And indeed many of the one hundred dealers have already indicated that they will be staging special shows and bringing star exhibits - so much so that the fair can already claim to have earned a hallmark of quality.

Galerie Maulberger (Munich) is showing two outstanding paintings in the six-figure bracket - Ernst Wilhelm Nay's Jagdbeute at Eur 290,000 and Otto Mueller's Dorfbach mit Badenden at Eur 790,000.

Thole Rotermund has two rare drawings by August Macke - Atelierszene I of 1913 and a Hafenszene in Tunis, executed on the artist's legendary journey to Tunis with Klee and Moilliet in 1914.

Galerie Vömel (Düsseldorf) has half a dozen major works including a Feininger watercolour entitled Approaching Land priced at Eur 45,000, a Peter Herkenrath oil entitled Frau und Hund at Eur 17,000, a chalk drawing by Max Liebermann entitled Pferdebändiger at Eur 14,500 and a bronze sculpture by Gerhard Marcks at Eur 18,000.

Icons represent good value
Icon specialist Stefan Brenske (Munich) is offering a 16th-century Russian icon, the Dormition of the Holy Virgin, at Eur 9,000. "Icons still represent relatively good value because the collecting tradition is so short," says Brenske, "even given the remarkable availability of items of museum quality."

Antikenkabinett (Frankfurt) has a Roman 1st century BC candelabrum, but are only disclosing the price to clients who express serious buying interest. Two antique Persian vessels dating from c. 2000 B.C. are priced at Eur 6,500 and a similar item with similar dating is priced at Eur 2,500.

Kunstsalon Franke (Munich) has an exceptionally fine painting entitled Venus vor dem Bade by Hans Rottenhammer (1564/65-1625). Measuring only 24.5 by 18cm, it was probably destined for the Kunstkammer of an aristocratic collection, and indeed it was at one time in the collection of the Herzog Ernst von Sachsen-Altenburg.

Fine 19th-century paintings: Wille's Brand der Düsseldorfer Akademie
Kunsthandel Ron Krausz (Munich) will be offering an exquisite item, a small oil entitled Brand der Düsseldorfer Akademie by August von Wille (1829-1887). Measuring only 18.5 by 28 cm, the painting documents a conflagration at the Düsseldorf castle on March 19 1872. At the time the Academy of Arts was housed in the castle and a large number of paintings were destroyed in the fire.

Peter Hardt (Radevormwald) has an eye-catching 15th-16th century Siamese bronze Buddha. Standing at 160 cm, the piece is on offer at Eur 125,000.

Anat Isman Faender (Hamburg) deals in 20th century Scandinavian silver, French Art Deco silver and Lalique vases. Highlights are two items by Tétard Frères - a sterling silver tea/coffee set of 1930 at Eur 17,400 and a large tray at
Eur 11,300.

A treasure trove for jewellery collectors
Bergisch Gladbach dealer Roeder's stand is something of a treasure trove for jewellery collectors: outstanding items include a platinum and diamond clip made in England c. 1920/30; a pendant and brooch in fine mosaic work made in Italy c. 1830-50; another finely-worked and exquisitely set gold clip dating from c. 1940/50 and a good selection of cuff links and tiepins.

The "Young Collectors' Stand" is rich in good quality items at reasonable prices. Maulberger recommends works on paper by Albert Hennig and Rolf Cavael at prices between Eur 1,400 and Eur 3,800, Rotermund suggests drawings of nudes by George Grosz at prices between Eur 2,800 and Eur 4,400 and Brenske icons at under Eur 2,500.

At the Westdeutsche Kunst Messe Köln the range of exhibits is as varied as the prices asked. There's something for everyone - both for big and small budgets. See it, love it, buy it.

The three fairs are open daily from 11am to 7pm. On February 25 2005 they will be open until 9pm. The vernissage is on February 22 2005 - from 4pm to 9pm. Dayticket: 12,00 EUR, Evening Ticket (from 5 p.m.): 7,00 EUR

Aussender:	Koelnmesse GmbH
Ansprechpartner:	Dirk Mangold
Tel.:	+49 221 821 2907
E-Mail:	d.mangold@koelnmesse.de