TEFAF Maastricht launched its prestigious art, antique, and design fair with an exclusive preview on Thursday. While the exact number of attendees remains uncertain, the bustling showroom floor and long entry queues at the MECC Convention Center suggest a strong turnout. Vintage jewelry dealers were so busy that interviews were nearly impossible to conduct.
The high jewelry section introduced several new exhibitors. Among them is Santi, a London-based private jeweler founded by Krishna Choudhary. A descendant of a Jaipur gemstone family, the 36-year-old designer chose TEFAF as his first public art fair. His pink booth pays homage to Jaipur, the “Pink City,” and showcases rare antiques that inspire his contemporary artistic creations. Choudhary produces around 20 pieces annually, often incorporating historic gemstones from his personal collection.
“TEFAF has a wonderful community of collectors and the finest pieces,” Choudhary said. “I could find an incredible Mughal dagger or a Gandhara sculpture here. This place resonates with me. While setting up, I felt a little tired, so I walked around and was refreshed. It’s an ideal placement for me, and I’m excited to be here because I believe people will understand my work.”
Another first-time exhibitor is Australian high jeweler Margot McKinney, known for sourcing rare gems and pearls to craft bold, colorful pieces. Her exhibition centerpiece features a striking green Murano glass chandelier and a working fountain adorned with colorful flowers and nymphs in playful poses. Venetian glass artist Lucio Bubacco designed the decorative elements.
McKinney recounted how she discovered Bubacco’s work in Murano and was captivated by a green chandelier. After receiving approval to exhibit at TEFAF, she collaborated with Bubacco to create the unique fountain and chandelier.
“Pearls originate from water, and opals form in its presence, so I wanted to incorporate that theme,” McKinney explained. Although a TEFAF official mentioned that no exhibitor had ever included a fountain in a stand, she proceeded undeterred. “It’s a beautiful addition and has become a major attraction,” she added.
Her debut collection includes the Marina Necklace, an exquisite piece featuring green beryl, aquamarine, and green tourmaline set alongside 25 baroque Australian South Sea pearls. Inspired by the Great Barrier Reef, the arrangement evokes the shimmering waters of the Coral Sea. The pearls were harvested over several years from northern Australian waters, and the gemstones were cut by master craftsman Paul-Otto Caesar in Idar-Oberstein, Germany.
All of McKinney’s pearls come from a single source—pearl farmer Aji Ellies Wimilirantna, who is present at the exhibition. “Many visitors here will be meeting a pearl farmer for the first time,” McKinney noted.
While this marks McKinney’s first time at TEFAF, it is also her debut exhibition. “Being invited to exhibit at the world’s most significant art fair is one of the greatest honors of my career. It is a milestone for me personally and for the 141-year history of my family’s business,” she said.
Buccellati, a historic Italian jewelry brand, also returned to TEFAF after an absence since 2014. The company, which exhibited at TEFAF from 1992 to 2014, is now under the ownership of Richemont, with Nicolas Luchsinger appointed as CEO last year. Maria Cristina Buccellati expressed her enthusiasm about the brand’s return.
“Our CEO recognized the importance of reestablishing our presence at TEFAF,” she said. “We wanted to showcase our heritage and present new high jewelry pieces that highlight our legacy.”
In addition to jewelry, Buccellati is introducing new silver art objects from its Furry collection, further enriching its presentation at the fair.
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