Encouraging results at the BRUNEAF

Brussels, 12 June 2012

A week of turmoil in Brussels, with three fairs taking place simultaneously: BRUNEAF (Brussels No European Art Fair) for African, Oceanic, Indonesian, pre-Columbian, Asian and Aborigine art enthusiasts, BAAF (Brussels Ancient Art Fair) for archaeology lovers, and BOAF (Brussels Oriental Art Fair), dedicated to Oriental art.

There is no doubt the BRUNEAF was the most successful. Most the transactions at the event were for sums of less than €10,000. The majority of the 60 gallery owners put an emphasis on middle price works to encourage a new collector clientele. Other art sellers, however, adopted a different strategy: displaying a small number of top-quality works. President of BRUNEAF, Pierre Loos, told the Quotidien de l’Art newspaper that he had sold “more than 40 objects, essentially between €50 and €25,000. The best year, even purchasing power is stagnating”. Representatives from Quai Branly and two other American museums were seen at this fair. Lucas Ratton, son of Philippe Ratton and great-nephew of late Charles Ratton, both dealers of African art, described himself as “rather satisfied” and confirmed the presence of “regular” customers considered as “essential”, as these customers do not usually go to Paris. His sales were “about right, with at least an item sold a day” all under the €10,000 mark. Ratton is to open his first gallery in Paris at 29 Rue de Seine this June, after 6 years spent in the “Puces de Saint Ouen” (Saint Ouen’s Fleamarket). Barcelona gallery Montagut realised one of the best sales: a Fang mask sold for €300,000, one of the most expensive items at the fair.