About the project

Russian Antique Salon

Russian Antique Salon is the leading antique fair in Russia; it is where the domestic art market actually started.

The first Salon took place in 1996 at the Central House of Artists. Vasiliy and Irina Bychkov, the project founders and the founders of EXPO-PARK. EXHIBITION PROJECTS, say:

"Antique Salon is the oldest and most enduring event that brings together authoritative antiquaries and a serious public. We started with 18 participants. We personally visited all the antique galleries in Moscow. But the next Salon counted twice as many participants. The antiques business was very private and closed, and still we managed to make this exhibition the main event in the country that it still is".

Over time, the fair has grown stronger, gained authority and reputation. For 23 years, 7000 galleries and private collections took part in the event and more than 1.5 million people attended it.

Since 2019, Russian Antique Salon has changed its venue and now takes place in Gostiny Dvor, Ilyinka street, in the very heart of Moscow.

The large-scale exhibition features the Antiques, Art Moscow, Jewelry Art, Lifestile. Art of Interior, Retro Cars sections, covering all fields of collecting. The international practice of well-known fairs as TEFAF and BRAFA of encompassing classics and modernity is among the world trends vectoring the art market development.

Vasiliy Bychkov, the project founder:

"We don’t want to define the art as old or new. Today art lovers feel like visiting a fair and getting everything of their interest.

You never know, a lover of Russian classical painting may all of a sudden fall in love with contemporary art. This is the most relevant format of international art fairs such as TEFAF and BRAFA..."

To present modern masterpieces by well-known jewelry brands, the Jewelry Art section was added to the traditional Antiques and Art of the 2nd half of the twentieth century sections. The Lifestyle. Art of Interior section is the territory of contemporary art and collection design.

"Very laconic and elegant booths of participants from the new Art & Design Block feature contemporary art and collectible design: Heritage, PA Gallery, Mirra, “E.K. ArtBureau”, Tirage 1/1 and others."

Anna Savitskaya, The Art Newspaper Russia

MISSION AND VALUES OF THE PROJECT:

Support and development of the domestic art market

Promoting and popularization of the Russian art

Integration of the Russian art market into the global art market

Assistance in replenishing of public and private museum collections

Cultural education