Art & Culture

A rare glimpse into the home of an art dealer

We were invited into art dealer Ivor Braka's 19th-century Cadogan Square home.

Words by Nathalie Grainger Bradbury

1st July 2020

2-minute read

British art dealer and collector Ivor Braka shares his time between Bahia in Brazil, Norfolk in the East of England, and London. The latter is the stunning setting for his late-19^th century home in Cadogan Square, and it’s fair to say that Braka possesses one of the finest collections of architectural works and designer furniture from the era between 1850 and 1900. Braka’s London home also happens to be a notable example of British architecture, drawing comparisons with Holland Park’s Leighton House, once the home of Victorian artist Lord Frederic Leighton, and now a museum brimming with paintings and sculptures by Leighton and his contemporaries.

Braka has equally dedicated himself to injecting life into his home through the works of others; indeed, his personal collection would be the envy of many a museum curator with a penchant for Victorian design. Remarkable displays by architects such as Philip Webb and E.W. Pugin share the space with delicate silverware by Christopher Dresser, and the richly printed textiles of William Morris. The collector acknowledges: “My residence in itself is a treasure house; a homage to all these historic architects and designers.”

On 5^th February, Quintessentially’s Art Patron group will catch a rare glimpse of this treasure trove as Braka opens his private London home for an exclusive event, inviting Art Patrons to appreciate the paintings and works of William Richard Sickert, Ben Nicholson, and the Bloomsbury group, right through to Lucian Freud, Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst.

Guests can also expect to see works by a handsome selection of contemporary international artists, namely Albert Oehlen, Georg Baselitz and Beatriz Milhazes, Francis Bacon, Frank Auerbach Bridget Riley, Howard Hodgkin, Glenn Ligon and Glenn Brown.

Braka explains that “not being tied to a gallery in any way frees me up, so that I can focus on acquiring and displaying only the most exquisite pieces. I will only ever consider buying, if I am assured of the quality of a piece and its provenance. It’s important to me that I feel that the pieces I present to my prospective buyers would just as easily hang on my walls, for me to live with.” He goes on to say, “I have often bought things for world record prices at auction that later provide to be very prescient. I believe it’s always better to buy something great, rather than a bargain, that would or could be a lesser work”.

Quintessentially’s Art Patrons will be privy to the skill and knowledge involved in Braka’s choices when identifying desirable pieces, as well as how he has acquired his reputation as a world-class art collector and dealer. Members will have the opportunity to put their questions to Braka and explore his world, from an insider’s perspective.

This intimate evening at Ivor Braka’s private home is a limited space event and will take place on Tuesday 5^th February 2019, at 6.30pm. The venue address will be supplied with confirmed attendance. To secure your place or to enquire about a Patron membership, please contact our specialist team at your earliest convenience: [email protected]

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