Gallery Antes Art 1900; A Heart of Glass

An object made with the characteristic craftsmanship of the periods of Art Nouveau and Art Deco deserves to be admired. In this interview we will speak with Rachel Reijers, founder of specialized gallery ANTES ART 1900 and an expert on the background of the objects and the great diversity of shapes and designs they come in.

Rachel, can you tell us something about the foundation of ANTES ART?                             
“It was an encounter with a small Charles Schneider vase I brought home that gained my interest initially. Back in the days French glass design was starting to become a very popular topic and so it was through an exhibition on the work by Charles Schneider in Germany  I learned about the enormous diversity of his glass art. More research ensued and it was enough to spark my passion about the Art Deco period. Shortly after that ANTES ART 1900 was founded and we have been active ever since 1988!”

_{From left to right: An extremely rare matte filete vase by Charles Schneider around 1920-1922 and Vase 'Masques' by Gabriël Argy Rousseau}

You have published a number of essays about glass design, particularly during the Art Nouveau and Deco periods. Could one say this is the place your heart resides? 

“Essentially, yes, glass from the Art Nouveau and Deco periods form a main point of interest for me. However, when you have been doing research and trading for over 25 years like me, you feel the need to encounter new perspectives and challenges in order to grow. You discover different topics that may have a lot to offer. Through this, new found passions may be sprouted. Modern Italian art glass, for example as well as Scandinavian furniture designs from the 50’s and 60’s have triggered my interest.”

You seem to speak with a lot of passion. Would you say passion plays a big part in the approach of ANTES ART as well?
“Exactly. Of course the approach of most galleries is to focus on a generally wealthier public. Not just from a financial perspective, but from the assumption that this is where the centre of the demand of art lies. The art market is tough, but that exclusiveness seems somewhat restrictive. The process of buying an art object is a lot like falling in love: it can happen to anyone. ANTES completely supports that and is sometimes willing to go the extra step; for example through spread of payments. This is how we keep the love for art and design thriving and available to anyone receptive to it.”

_{Unica Vase Leerdam 1952 by A.D. Copier (1901-1991)}

In a week, the PAN Amsterdam will take place. What does this mean for ANTES ART?   
“We are proud to be attending for the 10th time. Preparations are a lot of work and the last weeks before starting are particularly busy, but the event itself is a real party. Last week I suddenly found myself travelling to France when in fact I did not have time, all because of an object I felt I simply had to show at the PAN Amsterdam. After the PAN Amsterdam I often experience a two weeks period of cooling down, but after that the fever starts again! The attending public has a sincere interest in art objects of high quality and the busy energy sprouting from this makes it all worthwhile.”

More from Antes Art 1900 and Rachel Reijers can be found on Antes Art 1900 

For more curated antique, art and jewels also have a look at Gallerease!