MASTER OF ECLECTICISM In one of his final interviews before his death, Philip Hewat-Jaboor, the much-loved chairman of Masterpiece art fair, explained his passion for cross-collecting – the highly fashionable pursuit of acquiring everything from Greek armour and period furniture to Old Masters and contemporary art Words by Emma Crichton-Miller
EVER SINCE IT LAUNCHED in 2010, Masterpiece has flown the flag for a particular style of collecting. This annual art fair, held at the end of June in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, for which Savills is the property partner, has established itself as a key event of the summer season. It distinguishes itself from its rivals not by specialisation, but by welcoming into its luxurious tent leading galleries showing art objects across the widest possible range. Here you can find Old Masters and Impressionist paintings alongside contemporary art; 18th-century silver, antique maps and illuminated manuscripts cheek by jowl with midcentury modern design; and fine watches next to ancient sculpture. The fair doesn’t just embrace eclecticism, it positively encourages it, designing its layout to ensure that galleries specialising in the same field don’t end up next to each other, and inviting dealers in different disciplines to share booths. Chairman of Masterpiece since 2012, Philip Hewat-Jaboor – who sadly died after a short illness a few weeks after being interviewed for this feature – was the perfect figure to lead the fair. A distinguished collector in his own right, he was evangelical in his belief that great art objects, beautifully displayed, enhance life immeasurably. His passion for beautiful things made him an inspiring art adviser, while his embrace of everything from ancient Egyptian porphyry to contemporary ceramics made him the perfect champion for “cross-collecting”, which can encompass everything from Old Masters and contemporary art to antiquities, the first editions of great American novels and Art Deco jewellery. “A journey of mutual enhancement of knowledge” was how he described his experience of advising collectors when we spoke in February. Or perhaps we should say journeys, given the many 48
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