November 7, 2013 – The first Basel Ancient Art Fair (BAAF), which was held in autumn 2004, followed in the long tradition of Basel art fairs (such as TEFAF Basel, 1995-1998 and CULTURA, 1999-2003). The fair focuses on an area, which has always been considered the most successful, and which served as the core area of expertise in previous events of this kind – the art of the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean. As a result, the BAAF has rapidly become the leading global event in the field and will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year.
A specialist at work.
Collectors from all over the world, as well as curators of major museums, such as the Basel Museum of Ancient Art and Ludwig Collection, the Metropolitan Museum (New York), the Roemer and Pelizaeus Museum Hildesheim and the State Museum of Egyptian Art (Munich), have been among the visitors and buyers at the BAAF for many years. One can expect these and many others this year, as 17 exhibitors from Europe, the US and Switzerland will present a wide range of ancient art in the Reithalle Wenkenhof in Riehen near Basel from the 8th to the 13th November 2013.
Marble torso of a youth Roman, 1st-2nd century AD H: 39 cm Conradty Family Collection, Germany, acquired in the 1920s at Safani Gallery Inc. New York.
The internationally recognized specialists present outstanding objects from classical antiquity, the ancient Egyptians and the ancient civilizations of the Near East. BAAF is therefore seen as a major event for art lovers, collectors, museum experts and interior designers from around the world. The objects on display are sold at prices ranging from under a thousand to over one million Swiss francs.
IADAA Membership
All BAAF exhibitors are members of the International Association of Dealers in Ancient Art (IADAA). Over the past decade, the membership of this association has been a confidence builder for BAAF’s visitors, as the IADAA guarantees compliance with strict guidelines regarding the authenticity and provenance of the items offered for sale. Furthermore, the introduction of the Cultural Property Transfer Act (CPTA) in June 2005 has had a positive effect on Switzerland as a location for the art trade, making it even more secure and more attractive. The BAAF is thus the ideal event for buying antiques.
Partners & Sponsors
In addition to the interesting range of objects on offer, the BAAF also offers expert-led tours in collaboration with Gerber Culture Consulting (gcc gmbh). The traditional Geneva-based private bank Mirabaud & Cie Banquiers Privés (established in 1819) is the esteemed sponsor of the 10th BAAF and sponsors i.a. the daily guided tours.
The prestigious Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, located in the centre of Basel amidst the picturesque old town on the banks of the Rhine, has been a partner of the BAAF for many years and provides a rich range of special offers for art-loving guests during the fair. This year, the 5-star superior hotel offers a further cultural experience: On the occasion of the BAAF anniversary, the Brasserie team spoils guests with exceptional menus, which follow original recipes from Roman antiquity.
Panorama of the park with the Wenkenhof during BAAF.
The partner museums of the BAAF are Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig, Skulpturhalle Basel and the Fondation Beyeler; these round off the fair and grant BAAF’s visitors free or reduced admission to their permanent shows and featured exhibitions, which are well worth seeing. At the Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig: ‘How to be a Man. The stronger sex in Antiquity’ Skulpturhalle Basel presents plaster casts of antique sculptures and addresses the topic: ‘How to be a Man Athletes and competition throughout antiquity’. The Fondation Beyeler, an internationally renowned private museum of modern and contemporary art, will show the ‘Calder Gallery’ and ‘Thomas Schütte’ exhibits.
In return, museum visitors will receive free admission to the BAAF with their museum ticket.
Visit the BAAF with a museum pass
The BAAF is working once again with the Museum Pass and the Swiss Museum Pass in order to allow those interested in culture to visit the fair for free and thus gain an insight into the fascinating world of antiquity.
All information regarding this event are available on the BAAF website.
For more information on the IADAA please visit the association’s website.