Report from Maastricht

Hello from the historic city of Maastricht, Holland!

Once again, The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) is extraordinary! We arrived this afternoon on the train from Paris, and went directly to the fair. Approximately 250 of the finest dealers in paintings, porcelains, antiquities, jewelry, furniture, objets d'art etcetera, etcertera are gathered in what is normally a very modern convention facility that for 10 days every March is transformed into a fantasy land of beautiful objects. Simply entering the fair is breathtaking - thousands and thousands of tulips are gathered into bouquets inside plexiglass cubes that are staggered from floor to ceiling.

Notable presentations so far - a Spanish 18th Century Psalterus (stringed instrument like a harpsichord) inside a painted case at Jaime Eguigueren from Buenos Aires, sterling silver horse equipage at Arte de Hispanoamérica, also from Argentina, a pair of painted clay figures of European gentlemen done by Chitque of the Qing Dynasty (1730-1745) at Jorge Welsh from Lisbon, and most outstanding of all, a Venetian gondola armchair from the later 1700's at Frank C. Möller, Hamburg. But really, there is so much to see, and of such high quality, that it is truly overwhelming.

The City of Maastricht has bent over backwards to welcome both exhibitors and spectators to this annual event. Dinner at 'T Pak Hoes was outstanding - dare I say, better than many French restaurants.

Many thanks to Michael Findley of Acquavella for his gracious hospitality, and Anthony Meyer of Galerie Meyer Oceanic Art for the restaurant recommendation.

Looking forward to tomorrow and next year!