By 4 p.m. on Thursday, the aisles of TEFAF New York at the Park Avenue Armory should have started thinning out. Instead, dealers were still pinned into conversations, collectors crowded around vitrines, and the low roar that had echoed though the building since the doors opened for its VIP day at 11 a.m. had barely let up.
“This is probably the best TEFAF I’ve seen for a long time,” dealer Sean Ke...
The TEFAF New York fair’s resurgence in energy and sales suggests a broader cultural shift in how collectors and dealers perceive the art market amid economic and political uncertainty. The fair’s unique curatorial approach—juxtaposing ancient artifacts with contemporary works—creates a narrative of continuity and timelessness, which may appeal to buyers seeking stability in tangible assets. This contrasts with the faster, more speculative contemporary fairs, positioning TEFAF as a refuge for co...