TEFAF

TEFAF stands for ‘The European Fine Art Fair’. It is an organisation that runs some of the world’s leading art and antiques fairs: TEFAF Maastricht, which takes place annually in March, and TEFAF New York which takes place twice a year in the autumn and spring.

The former event takes place at the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Centre (MECC) in The Netherlands. The fair began life in 1975 as the bi-annual Pictura Fine Art Fair with 28 dealers specialising in Old Master paintings and medieval sculptures.

It has since expanded with exhibitors numbers increasing ten-fold and has become widely recognised as a leading art and antiques fair, attracting major collectors, both private and institutional, from around the world.

Upbeat mood at Maastricht

19 March 2003

CONSIDERING the pervading gloom and doom, exhibitors at the private view of TEFAF Maastricht last Thursday night were surprisingly optimistic and the overall mood at the packed party was distinctly upbeat.

TEFAF relaunch attack on Import VAT and EU rules

24 February 2003

Scrap it or at least make life easier for the trade, new study demands: THE European Union should look again at the whole issue of Import VAT and art market red tape, say The European Fine Art Foundation.

From the curve for lurve… …to the square at the fair

15 March 2002

THERE are no datelines at TEFAF Maastricht, which runs in the Dutch city until March 17, but Old Masters and top quality antiques are the stock that springs immediately to mind.

Will the superb Maastricht mix its treasures with business?

07 March 2002

FAIRS are among the most contentious, gossip-ridden and difficult-to-read aspects of the whole antiques business. But while organisers’ rivalry can often verge on the psychotic, there is one thing they all agree about, and that is the status of The European Fine Art Fair at Maastricht.

Resurfaced Rembrandt set to be star of Maastricht at $40m

15 January 2002

BOUND to be a highlight at TEFAF Maastricht in March is Rembrandt’s painting of the goddess Minerva which will be offered by New York dealer Otto Naumann for $40m.

TEFAF commission major new study on European art market

31 October 2001

TEFAF, the European Fine Art Foundation, who organise the Maastricht fair, have commissioned a detailed new study on the state of the European art market.

Showstopping pottery model of a recumbent Bactrian camel

19 March 2001

TEFAF Maastricht closed on Sunday with museum-quality goods having sold well – particularly Old Masters, Contemporary art and Oriental – but business was being achieved from the opening party on March 9, when collectors converged on this showstopping pottery model of a recumbent Bactrian camel, 101/2in (27cm) high, on the stand of London specialist Ben Janssens.

Signing up for new-look Maastricht

11 December 2000

NETHERLANDS: EARLY news of the world’s top fair, TEFAF Maastricht, which will be held in the Dutch city from March 10 to 18. Six dealers are joining the fair and the whole event is to have a new look.

Basel goes on... without TEFAF

26 April 1999

SWITZERLAND: TEFAF Basel, the sister fair to Maastricht, has broken all official ties with its founders TEFAF (The European Fine Art Foundation) who have handed over the organisation to Messe Basel, the exhibition hall which has hosted the fair since it was launched in 1995.

Hamptons’ new name

01 January 1996

HAMPTONS Auctioneers of Godalming will change their name to Dreweatt Neate this month. Having become part of The Fine Art Auction Group earlier this year, the saleroom will be rebranded under the Dreweatt Neate banner in time for the Surrey firm’s April 13 sale.

TEFAF faces global competition but remains Europe’s number one