The design world, and seemingly most of the Upper East Side, turned out for the opening of the New York edition of The European Fine Art Fair at the Park Avenue Armory last night. Spread between three floors were flowers flown in from the Netherlands, multiple bars stocked with oysters and bubbly, and endless rows of plush, white carpet. Visitors were treated to a carefully curated selection of fine art, furniture, objets d’art, and jewelry dating from antiquity through the 20th century, their origins spanning regions far and wide. Visual adventures awaited at every turn, including oversize lacquer wassail bowls and vessels from Belgian design master Axel Vervoordt, glittering Art Deco brooches by jewelry maker Siegelson, stunning Japanese gold-leaf screens from London’s Gregg Baker Asian Art gallery, and porcelain tulip collectibles from Delft-based antique house Aronson Antiquairs. Finery at its finest, to say the least.
“As our second year hosting this event with TEFAF, we’re able to bring out all of our glamorous supporters,” said Jamee Gregory, President of The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering, one of the show’s official sponsors. “It’s kind of a back-to-school party—everyone is back from wherever they’ve been, and it’s all very exciting. They come and support MSK, but everyone loves beautiful art and jewelry and furniture, so it’s a perfect marriage. It’s much easier than going to Maastricht, where the main event is, but to have Maastricht come to us!”
Attendees included Martha Stewart, Juan Montoya, Brian Sawyer, Amy Astley, Rebecca de Ravenel, Madeline Weinrib, and many more.
