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From a jewelled binding for the first Kelmscott Press edition of The Poems of William Shakespeare, to a recently rediscovered Gauffier masterpiece, we explore the TEFAF directors' highly curated selection of rare and unique masterpieces from this year's Fine Art and Antiques Fair in Maastricht.
BY MANON VAN DEN BEUKEN & WILL KORNER | HAPPENINGS | 15 MARCH 2025
From a jewelled Sangorski Sutcliffe binding of Shakespeare’s Poems to a long-hidden Louis Gauffier masterpiece brought back into the light, TEFAF Maastricht 2026 unfolds as a meticulously curated panorama of five centuries of artistry.
Selected by the fair’s directors, this year’s highlights traverse Mughal-inspired contemporary jewels, German Expressionism, Italian Liberty design, Nigerian Modernism, and more—each work a testament to TEFAF’s unrivalled connoisseurship and cross-disciplinary reach.
Will Korner, Head of Fairs at TEFAF
Peter Harrington, Sangorski & Sutcliffe - "The Poems of William Shakespeare"
Peter Harrington, Sangorski & Sutcliffe - A jewelled binding for the first Kelmscott Press edition of The Poems of William Shakespeare Early 20th century Near-contemporary green crushed morocco, elaborately decorated in gilt and adorned with over 100 precious stones and mother of pearl inlays Octavo (20.4 x 13.8 cm).
This 1893 Kelmscott edition of The Poems of William Shakespeare is bound in a lavish, highly ornate cover by the renowned bookbinders Sangorski & Sutcliffe.
Lines of poetry, rendered in the edition’s 17th-century orthography, are lettered in gilt across every surface. The intricate leather tooling is enriched with inlays of mother-of-pearl, amethysts, citrines, hardstones, and opals, transforming the book into a work of art that mirrors the richness and beauty of Shakespeare’s verse.
Galerie Thomas Schulte, Robert Mapplethorpe - Parrot Tulip 1988
Galerie Thomas Schulte Robert Mapplethorpe Parrot Tulip 1988 Silver gelatin print.
Mapplethorpe’s mastery of form and light is evident in this photograph, where a single flower becomes a study in elegance and sensuality. His flower photographs are renowned for their delicate yet subtle erotic beauty.
Although he did not begin his career as a photographer, Mapplethorpe is now recognized as a key figure whose work has had a lasting impact on the visual language of contemporary art. Photography plays a particularly strong role at TEFAF this year.
Galleria Rossella Colombari, Carlo Zen - Rare double body cabinet with showcase 1902
Galleria Rossella Colombari Carlo Zen Rare double body cabinet with showcase 1902 Walnut wood, nacre inlays, gold, silver, brass threading.
This rare double-body display cabinet by Carlo Zen exemplifies his mastery of Italian Liberty, Italy’s distinctive take on Art Nouveau.
Merging the sober elegance of the Lombard tradition with Art Nouveau refinement and subtle Japanese influences, it epitomizes modern sophistication. Crafted in walnut with mother-of-pearl inlays and brass stringing, its elongated proportions and harmonious balance demonstrate Zen’s exceptional craftsmanship and distinctive decorative language.
Tafeta, Ladi Kwali - Waterpot 1968
Tafeta Ladi Kwali Waterpot 1968 Stoneware with incised zoomorphic designs, inlaid with white slip beneath iron and transparent glazes.
Ladi Kwali’s glazed water pots are celebrated masterpieces of her hybrid practice, combining traditional Gbari techniques with innovative glazing.
Born in the Gwari region of northern Nigeria where pottery was traditionally made by local women, she learned to make pots and other vessels using the coiling method from her aunt, developing techniques that transformed traditional Nigerian pottery.
In the Focus section, these works bring Nigerian Modernism into dialogue with broader art historical narratives, particularly following renewed institutional attention such as the fantastic Tate Modern show.
Brimo de Laroussilhe, Domenico di Michelino - Legends of the Greeks and Amazons: The Abduction of Antiope by Theseus Circa 1440-50
Brimo de Laroussilhe Domenico di Michelino Legends of the Greeks and Amazons: The Abduction of Antiope by Theseus Circa 1440-50 Tempera on wood panel.
The drama of Theseus Abducting Antiope is captured vividly in this cassone panel attributed to Domenico di Michelino (c. 1440–1450). It recalls the luminous style of Fra Angelico.
Originally published in 1915 alongside its counterpart depicting the Battle of the Greeks and Amazons, now in the Indianapolis Museum of Art, this work exemplifies the narrative elegance of early Renaissance decorative art.
Manon van den Beuken, Director of TEFAF Maastricht
Santi Krishna Choudhary - Lotus Earrings 2025
Santi Krishna Choudhary Lotus Earrings 2025 Rose Gold, Titanium and Diamonds.
I was immediately drawn to this captivating pair of earrings which mirror the shape of inverted lotuses. The fluid yet geometric rose-gold forms recall the beautifully carved marble motifs found in Mughal architecture. It’s wonderful to see different eras and cultures come together here – Mughal-inspired symbolism merging seamlessly with contemporary design. The contrast between warm gold and deep titanium highlights their sculptural precision. To me, it is an artful piece that feels both elegant and refined.
Margot McKinney - Bloem collier 2024
Margot McKinney Bloem collier 2024 Tourmalines (240.56ct), Australian South Sea baroque pearls, white diamonds, brown diamonds, blue sapphires, pink sapphires, purple sapphires, pink tourmalines, amethysts, rubellites, 18-karat yellow gold.
This necklace from Australian jeweller Margot McKinney caught my eye with its shimmering hues. Named after the Dutch word for “flower,” Bloem is a sophisticated homage to the opulent floral traditions of the Netherlands where TEFAF Maastricht is held each year.
The opulence and glamour of these extraordinary gemstones, all harmoniously arranged, is captivating. The vivid tones, from white and brown diamonds to pink, blue, and purple sapphires, tourmalines, amethysts, and rubellites, give the piece movement and vitality.
Ludorff Hermann, Max Pechstein - Frühling, Circa 1918
Ludorff Hermann Max Pechstein Frühling, Circa 1918 Oil on canvas.
The expressive brushwork and vibrant palette immediately draw the eye in, showing the influence of Vincent van Gogh and the Fauves.
Knowing that Pechstein returned to this motif time and time again after witnessing the horrors of WWI, I am particularly moved by the sense of joy and renewal conveyed in this pastoral scene. It’s a poignant reminder of the solace and inspiration that nature can offer.
Matthiesen Gallery, Louis Gauffier - La Cueillette des Oranges 1798
Matthiesen Gallery, Louis Gauffier - La Cueillette des Oranges 1798.
I find this recently rediscovered masterpiece especially intriguing, having remained untouched for over two centuries before coming back into the public eye at TEFAF this year.
The mistress of the household holds two oranges with subtle symbolic meaning, while her husband recedes into the shadows. Reflecting Rousseau’s philosophy of the private sphere, Gauffier depicts a virtuous and morally influential woman at the center of domestic life. For me, it’s a sophisticated reflection on gender and family in 18th-century society.
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TEFAF Maastricht, 2026
March 14 - 19, 2026, MECC Maastricht, MAASTRICHT, NETHERLANDS
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This issue will transport you across countries and continents where craft and culture converge. Evocative travel portfolios reveal Japan's elegant restraint, Peru's sacred churches ablaze with color, and striking architecture in a fading Addis Ababa. Inspiring minds from the late Giorgio Armani to Nikolai von Bismarck spark curiosity, while exclusive homes—from the dazzling Burghley House in England and an Anglo-Italian dream in Milan, to a Dionysian retreat in Patmos and a historic Pennsylvania farmhouse—become portals that recall, evoke and transport.
