Finding the finest arts and antiques

This year sees the first ever LAPADA Object of the Year competition which is to take place at the Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair - a showcase for some of its members’ finest objects or paintings.

LAPADA members between them specialise in a very wide range of works of art from antiquities to contemporary fine art. Through this competition the Association aims to illustrate the breadth and depth of its members’ expertise and to show visitors to this site a tempting selection of some of their finest pieces, all of which are available to buy. You can also visit LAPADA’s main website www.lapada.org to find all its members, with links to their own websites, and a great deal of further information of interest to all lovers and collectors of works of art, antiques and paintings.

The competition is being judge by a panel of eminent experts including Sir Nicholas Goodison, former Chairman of the national arts charity The Art Fund and of the Courtauld Institute of Art and John Bly, the distinguished dealer who is well-known from his appearances on BBC’s Antiques Road Show. The panel will be chaired by Huon Mallalieu of Country Life.

Twelve short-listed items will be on public display at the Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair which takes place from 5 to 14 June 2009 at Olympia Exhibitions Centre, Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UX. The winner and two runners up will be presented with their prizes at Olympia on 9th June.

Entries include clocks, silver, fine art and jewellery, as well as some specialist pieces. Look out for articles previewing the objects and announcing the winner in Country Life on the weeks of 13th May, 3rd June and 17th June 2009.