Design for Grosvenor House, London home of the Earls of Grosvenor
Today we are taking a step back in time to look at one of London’s most storied and renowned art fairs, the Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair.
The Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair was founded in 1934 and became a highlight of the London art world until 2009. The art fair ran every June on the site of the old London residence of the Earls of Grosvenor, who had one of the finest private collections of art in England. Thomas Gainsborough’s famous Blue Boy was in the Earl of Grosvenor’s collection and hung in his residence. Queen Mary accorded the Fair her patronage in 1937, making it the only fair with Royal patronage. The entry fee to the fair when it first opened was two shillings.
The fair was renowned for the exceptional works of art and furniture offered by venerable London and international dealers. The fair was home to one of Canaletto’s finest views of Venice offered by Moretti, a rare portrait of Elizabeth I as a teenager on the stand of Philip Mould, and an exceptional Thomas Tompion clock offered by Ronald Phillips.
We are delighted to have several pieces in our collection that were exhibited at the Grosvenor House fair over the years. Have a look below to learn more.
A George I Gilt Gesso Settee Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection
This exceptional George I gilt gesso settee was exhibited by Norman Adams at the fair in 1951. Queen Elizabeth, who was still Princess Elizabeth at the time, opened the fair that year.
A Set of Four George III Mahogany Armchairs attributed to John Cobb Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection
This magnificent set of four George III mahogany armchairs in the French Hepplewhite taste attributed to John Cobb were displayed on the stand of Mallett & Son (Antiques) Ltd. in 1997. They also appeared in the accompanying fair handbook of the same year.
A George III Serpentine Commode attributed to William Gomm Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection
This rare and important George III yew-wood serpentine commode attributed to William Gomm was exhibited by Stair & Company at the fair in 1999.
A George III Giltwood Mirror attributed to William & John Linnell Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection
And finally, this very fine George III carved giltwood oval mirror attributed to William and John Linnell was on the stand of Kentshire Galleries in 2004.
They were good fun to do. Great to turn up to the dealers meeting late and walk in my full leathers with helmet in hand ‘not in suit’ . The look I got from the Alastair Sampson still makes me laugh
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