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13 countries showcasing art and antiques

The event will run until Sunday.

The event, organised by art dealer Brian Haughton, is being held in partnership with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Haughton and his family have been in the art business for decades.

According to the exhibition organisers, the most expensive piece on show is a painting by John Singer Sargent for Waterhouse and Dodd. It is worth $13.5 million.

Another highlight of the event is a piece of decoration dating back to 1745. It was a presented to Frederick-August II, Elector of Saxony, by his wife Queen Maria-Josepha on the 25^th anniversary of their marriage. The exhibition was inaugurated by Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development Abdul Rahman Al Owais in the presence of Minister of Health Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami, Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of Dubai Cultural Council, and Bilal Al Boudour, Director in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Al Owais said Dubai is eager to host international art exhibitions as much as it is interested in development in other areas.

“Our leadership is keen on placing Dubai as a cultural hub on the world map. Hosting such an international exhibition, which displays pieces of art and antiques for the first time in the region, comes to implement our leaders’ vision,” Al Owais said.

Al Owais maintained that advancement on the art and cultural front would go on par and, maybe, go beyond the booming architectural activities in Dubai.

Al Murr pointed out that hosting artistic events of this scale in the city was a clear evidence that Dubai has gone a long way in embracing fine arts.

“We often see exhibitions being held in Dubai but to see such high-end work of art is not that common. Many pieces going on display are worthy of being exhibited in museums. It shows the trust vested by the exhibitors in Dubai as a cultural hub. There are antiques and classical pieces as well as modern paintings and art works,” Al Murr noted.

Al Boudour said, “The horizons of arts are increasingly expanding in Dubai. This unique exhibition gives an opportunity to both the dealers and art lovers to get a glimpse or the chance to acquire some of the very rare and original art pieces in the world.”

The show features many rare pieces, including some of royal collections.

Jewellery, clocks, porcelain items, bronze sculptures, oil paintings, calligraphy work and vase coolers in addition to boxes and decoration items.

• UAE