Despite the wider economic tragedy wrought by Bernie Madoff, I was nonetheless amused by the Fed’s auction of his personal items last week. The question is doubtless begged ‘How many jewel mounted wristwatches does one man need?’ If one has read and been influenced by John Molloy’s book Dress for Success the answer is ‘none.’
Not only for those of us who deal in English antiques, but all art and antiques dealers, a frequent frustration is that a billionaire, real or erstwhile, would splash out on fancy cars, or wristwatches, and neglect fine art and antiques. Keith and I have often wondered, tongue in cheek, if some of our pieces, could they be driven down the road with the price tag still on them, mightn’t we meet with greater sales success.
Of course, the flash and bling, not representative of our personalities, does not find its way into our aesthetic- or those of our clients, either collectors or interior designers. Ultimately, as my loyal cadre of blogophiles will recall, that is what happens in our business, we find common ground in matters of taste with our clients, and that common ground has from the first met with a particular absence of glitter. If that lets us out of a relationship with the Bernie Madoffs of the world, all I can say to the antiques god is ‘Thanks!’