“the ‘antiques of the future’ have acquired a definitive – and perfectly justified – place at the highest level of collecting.” Erik Müllendorff
Antonio Scaccabarozzi, ‘monocromia prevalenze’, acrylic paint on canvas, 1977. 30cm x 30 cm
88-Gallery Leopoldstraat 4 / 2000 Antwerp / T +32 (0)3 231 33 81 / M +32 (0)475 79 81 17 info@88-gallery.com / www.88-gallery.com Opening Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11.00 – 18.00 And by appointment
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In recent years, there has been a huge increase in the number of twentieth century design classics appearing at the most exclusive art fairs. It is obvious: the ‘antiques of the future’ have acquired a definitive – and perfectly justified – place at the highest level of collecting. Furniture, lighting ornaments, glass and ceramics, cutlery, jewellery and other manifestations of applied art are ‘hot’. Would-be buyers opt for leading design as a practical addition to their interiors, as a potential investment object or as a desirable collector’s item. For some, nostalgia also plays a role. ‘We had chairs by Charles and Ray Eames in my childhood home but, the truth is, only now do I realise how beautiful, functional and time-
88-Gallery
less they are,’ is a common refrain heard at many trade fairs, and from the lips of museum visitors, when confronted with design classics. The owners of the 88-Gallery, Erik Müllendorff and his business partner Philippe Rapin, have earned their spurs as champions and dealers of original design. Their Antwerp gallery, in the Leopoldstraat 4, opened its doors in 2007. Two years later, they established a branch in London and they have recently opened a new gallery on the Quai Voltaire in Paris. The 88-Gallery specialises in works by French, Italian, American and Belgian designers. To cite just a few names: Jacques Adnet, Gio Ponti, Jean Desprès, Ado Chale, JeanEmile Puiforcat and Paul Evans.
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