pdf - Gotha Parma

International Antiques Biennial
XIII Edition
from 12 to 20 November at Fiere di Parma
A real “cabinet of curiosities” waiting to be discovered
Precious ebony reliquary urn. Made in 17th century Rome.
Parma, October 2016 - Paintings, sculptures, furniture, jewels, curiosities and objets d’art
will be on display from 12 to 20 November 2016 at the 13th Edition of GOTHA, the
International Antiques Biennial. This exquisite reliquary urn is a prime example, in ebony and
polished crystal, adorned with arabesques, cherub heads and engravings of bees on embossed
silver. The heraldic bees, typical of the Barberini family, suggest the piece may have been
commissioned by Pope Urban VIII. A similar piece was published in the catalogue of the “Sacri
Splendori - Il tesoro della Cappella delle reliquie” (“Sacred Splendour - The Treasure of the
Reliquary Chapel”) exhibition held in 2014 in Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Here, at the MR
Antichità Rita Stasi stand, you can admire a rare pair of Keller & Guerin Liberty vases,
Luneville (France 1900-1920), adorned with irises against a sky blue background, exhibited by
Wannenes. Meanwhile, Antichità All'Oratorio are exhibiting a cross base in gold-plated copper
from the mid-14th century, and Centrella Roberto, specialists in French Art Nouveau and Art
Deco vases are displaying an exquisite bulb-shaped vase in tones of turquoise, by Daum, Nancy
1905. For great design, visit the Enrica Micheli stand, which will be displaying pieces by
famous designer Gabriella Crespi, who decorated the homes of the Shah of Persia, Grace of
Monaco and other celebrities. Also well worth a visit is Il Mercante delle Venezie stand where
numerous marvels await you, including two exquisite 15th-century caskets with geometric
motifs.
There will also be several fringe events to enliven the 13th edition of the show this year, with
over 60 galleries throughout the 4,500 square metres of Pav. 3 at Fiere di Parma. Starting with
the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Marie Louise in Parma in
1816, when she was welcomed triumphantly by the local population. On 11 November,
coinciding with the GOTHA preview, Parma’s public records office the Archivio di Stato di
Parma , the cultural body responsible for maintaining records of Italy’s various
state institutions over time, has chosen to showcase the international politics of
the Duchy in Marie Louise’s day, with the exhibition Parma: a Duchy at the Centre
of International Politics, which runs until 28 February. An important portion of the
documentation on display concerns the Congress of Vienna, but there is also a
section dedicated to the letters that various European sovereigns, including the
Tzar, the kings of France and Prussia, Spain and Sweden and the Pope, sent to
Marie Louise upon the restoration of the Duchy.
Until 27 November at San Ludovico Gallery the Municipality of Parma, in partnership
with the Galleria Nazionale di Parma and the Diocese of Parma, presents “In the Temple of
the Duchess, between the Real and the Virtual. Maria Louise, San Ludovico and the
Artists of Parma”.
And since Marie Louise was such a great admirer of Parma’s regional
cuisine, the supper at the preview will be inspired by her favourite dishes.
There will also be an exhibition dedicated to Chinese contemporary art. The two artists
invited to represent it - Xu De Qi e Zhang Hong Mei - are part of an ambitious project entitled
”West Art City" , which is funded by Chinese authorities seeking to promote cultural exchange
with the West. For the occasion, a delegation of Chinese collectors will be attending the GOTHA
antiques show, interested in connecting with the world of the antique dealing.
Special Guest will be sculptor Armando Riva who, besides designing a strategic itinerary
with his sculptures, will set up an atelier featuring his most creative works inside GOTHA.
Starting from Monday 14 November discussions on the art world will be held every
afternoon by scholars, collectors, museum curators and famous experts.
HR photos available upon request
■ Wannenes - Pair of Keller & Guerin Liberty vases, Luneville (France 1900-1920).
■ Centrella Roberto - Bulb-shaped vase in turquoise tones, short neck, heat-applied
leaves on the body and an intense blue spiral on the neck.
■ Antichità All'Oratorio - Cross base in copper and gold leaf, southern Italy
(Naples?) mid-14th century.
■ De Micheli Enrica - 10 gold-plated bronze chalices by Gabriella Crespi.
■ Il Mercante delle Venezie - One of two caskets adorned with geometric motifs in
various kinds of wood, natural and green dyed bone, horn and pewter (circa 14401450). These rare examples of applied haute époque art were crafted by artisans
categorised in art history as the “Bottega degli Embriachi” or, to use the more
modern critical term, the “Bottega dell’Italia settentrionale”.
Annex. List of Exhibitors and Afternoon Programmes
HD photo available upon request
Media Relations Office: Vilma Sarchi [email protected] tel.+33676136007