Cahn’s Quarterly 2/2024 English Edition
Editorial Kairos in the Art Trade Dear readers Kairos is one of the three words used in ancient Greek for the term “time”. It refers to the favourable moment that must be seized. In art, Kairos is depicted as a winged youth. He flees nimbly from our covetous grasp, and in that respect resembles the golden ball with rotating wings in the Quidditch game played in Harry Potter. We learnt last November that Kairos can also trigger complicated situations. Concurrent with our traditional animal exhibition in the gallery on Malzgasse, we also presented an offering of artworks at the fair Antike in Basel. I had the pleasure of selling a red-figure cup depicting a bull to an important collection at the fair. As we often sell at different locations at the same time, we have a WhatsApp chat on which we re- The Antike in Basel fair in the Cahn Steinen exhibition space, November 2024. port all sales so that the team knows about them. Therefore, I dutifully logged the casting the lot three times according to an- This year, Antike in Basel was held in our sale of the cup without losing any time. I im- cient custom. In this way, the lot is not sim- premises on Steinentorstrasse, as the previmediately received a dramatic phone call from ply coincidence, rather, it is fate. Heads up! ous exhibition venue was no longer availaDr Haase, who was showing visitors around in Everything was still possible. But the third ble. I am very pleased that it was a successtoss, tails, sealed the original lot. ful fair for everyone involved: ancient art the gallery: “I've just sold the piece too!” enthusiasts were not deterred by the change For everyone involved, for us art dealers I would like to take this opportunity to thank in location and also made purchases. With and the two buying parties, this was a very the collector couple in the gallery for the only four exhibitors, the fair was very small. unfortunate coincidence, seemingly a trick great sportsmanship they displayed in can- But there are new interested parties and we played by a not so friendly, mischievous celling the purchase. To decide to purchase hope to double the number of participants Kairos. In both places the disappointment a work of art is an emotional process: the next year, especially as the large rooms are was great and this put a huge strain on us piece captures your heart and you want to highly suited for this type of show. art dealers. What should we do? The cup had take it home with you and live in its presbeen sold twice at the same time, in the gal- ence. It is a bitter disappointment if you then I would like to thank you all for your many lery with a signed contract and at the fair have to relinquish the artwork. As dealers, years of loyalty and wish you a peaceful with a handshake. Both sales were legally we are confronted with similar situations Advent season. If you are still looking for binding. Ancient works of art are not inter- and have to learn to live with them. We also a Christmas present, perhaps Kairos will be changeable or replaceable and a Solomonic fall in love with artworks, but we always well-disposed and you will find what you solution such as splitting the bowl in two have to take our margin into consideration. are looking for in the sales catalogue at the Especially at auctions, it is important to stay end of this issue! was, of course, out of the question. cool and to be able to forgo a purchase. For As a way out of this tricky situation, the this reason, I'm all the more pleased when I couple in the gallery suggested determin- win a bid. But in Paris it can happen that a ing the owner by lot. A two-euro piece was few seconds later the state, if it exercises its tossed by Dr Haase in the gallery: Tails! The right of first refusal (droit de préemption), is collector at the fair won. The dejection in the buyer instead of me. That's very tough, the gallery was so great that I suggested but understandable. CQ
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