Focus, not faff: considered adjustments prove welcome at TEFAF Maastricht

Stands throughout the premises finessed the presentation of multiple genres and categories together. For instance, the UK-based dealership Thomas Coulborn & Sons sold a Chinese export carved Huang Huali armchair (around 1740) for an undisclosed amount, after installing it convincingly alongside Regency and Baroque furniture.

The response to the new Focus section was generally warm, as well. A striking display of nine of the 100 sculptural black chairs created by Italian designer Paolo Pallucco in the 1990s demonstrated the value of concentrated curatorial space, and it also fortified the fair’s value to dealers who specialise in more contemporary works. “We’ve shown at design and contemporary art fairs before, but Tefaf has really introduced us to different collectors,” said Charlotte Ketabi-Lebard of the gallery. Eight of the chairs had sold by Friday, for prices between €10,000 and €20,000 each; the gallery confirmed one went to a “well-known Belgian collector of African art”.