WELCOME TO THE PANTILES ARCADE – HICKMET FINE ARTS
Hello everyone. Having welcomed Jeroen and Jacob Markies to The Corn Exchange recently, I’m now equally delighted to introduce you to our second new partner. I am extremely pleased to announce that we have been joined by Hickmet Fine Arts – another of the brightest stars in the antiques firmament, and a splendid addition to my enterprise down here on The Pantiles. As with Jeroen and Jacob, Hickmet’s have previously operated – for the most part – on the exhibitions and fairs circuit, although they also boasted a physical presence by way of their shop on London’s Portobello Road. Another family-run business, they are headed up by David Hickmet – a fine gentleman who I am inordinately pleased to now be able to number amongst my work colleagues. David has recently welcomed both his son and daughter, Harry and Sydney, to the fold – and they become the fourth generation of the family to have worked in business. In keeping with our existing incumbents, David will be bringing a wide range of extraordinarily fine wares for display and sale on the Lower Walk, appealing to a diverse array of tastes. However, his specialities are 20th century bronze sculptures and art glass, fields in which he is held in the utmost regard throughout the trade. If you are kind enough to visit us, you will see why – we will have an unsurpassed selection of sculptures and glassware on show, produced by the very finest names imaginable. I have waxed lyrical many times about René Lalique and his fabulous glass – a personal favourite of mine – but I am equally thrilled by the sculptures which David brings by Bergman, Bruno Zach and Josef Lorenzl, amongst others. These are the absolute top tier of Art Deco bronze royalty, and their works set the standards for the entire movement that they defined. However, quality of wares notwithstanding, we are very keen to ensure that my emporium is not perceived as the exclusive preserve of connoisseurs and the cognoscenti. The Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements which are so very well represented by Messrs Hickmet and Markies were very much about redefining what was considered to be ‘proper’ art. The delineation between classical ‘fine art’ and the merits of decorative and functional pieces became less distinct, with the latter – if produced with sufficient dexterity and creative thought – being afforded the same degree of admiration as would a revered ‘old master’ painting, or centuries-old artefact. Once the cachet of Art Deco material had become established, and pieces began to be recognised for having true artistic merit, there was always going to be a place for those who were able to devine the very best of the new creed, and David is at the very forefront of those who curate pieces from the genre. You can rest assured that his room at the Pantiles Arcade will display on the finest pieces – very well worth a visit.
