In line with its yearly tradition, the Heritage Fund will be presenting its latest acquisitions at the Belgian Antique Dealers’ Fair, to be held this year between 23 and 31 January at Tour & Taxis, Brussels. Among other masterpieces to be discovered at our stand are a watercolour by Spilliaert, a lace bedspread and a Coptic headdress.

One of the Heritage Foundation’s recent acquisitions that deserve mention is La Buveuse d’absinthe (the Absinth Drinker) by Léon Spilliaert (1881–1946), a leading Belgian symbolist artist. From a stylistic point of view, this somewhat introspective watercolour is part of the Ostend painter’s series of self-portraits. Dated 1907, La Buveuse d’absinthe is one of the rare occasions in Spilliaert’s early years when he chose to show a female figure frontally. Presented to the general public for the first time since its acquisition, the work has been entrusted to the Fine Arts Museum of Ghent.

You can also admire at our stand another incomparable masterpiece: an 18th century bedspread made in Brussels bobbin lace. The bedspread is part of a collection belonging to the descendants of Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria (1884-1958) and was made according to the fashion of the period, but also represents the height of technical mastery. The Léon Courtin-Marcelle Bouché Fund acquired the bedspread and it has been entrusted to the Fashion Museum in Antwerp.

Another highlight of this year’s stand is a superb piece from the collection of Coptic textiles that Maria Luise Fill and Robert Trevisiol have donated to the King Baudouin Foundation. This lady’s linen headdress - or “head net” – was made using the sprang technique and probably dates from the 5th century.

Practical information:
From 23 to 31 January 2016
Opening hours: 11- 19h (late-night opening 28 January until 22h)
Address: Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86C, 1000 Brussels
Entry ticket: €20