BRAFA Art Fair
BRAFA Art Fair, also known as the Brussels Art Fair, is one of the longest-running art and antique fairs in the world. It is organized every year by the nonprofit group Belgian Antiques Fair Association. As can be expected, the history of this celebrated event is rich indeed. The first-ever BRAFA was held in the Arlequin Hall of the Galerie Louiza in 1956. It followed in the footsteps of similar events in London and Delft and paved the way for Paris, Florence, and Munich to organize such festivals of their own.
The growing success of the BRAFA Art Fair and the increasing number of participants meant that a location had to be found capable of keeping up with the event’s development. The range of art objects on display also continued to expand. Up until 1994, only exclusive Belgian antique dealers could take part in the fair which was, at the time, a purely national event. Since 1995, the fair has been open internationally. With this came obvious growth in the number of participants. There are now more than 130 antique dealers taking part in this annual event in Belgium, which is recognized as one of the leading international fairs in Europe.
The organizers of the BRAFA Art Fair work hard to ensure that the quality of the participants continues to improve year after year. They also strive to maintain the event’s reputation for eclectic collections and a friendly atmosphere. Since this event takes place in January, it is used by the antiquing community as somewhat of a litmus test as to trends of the art and collecting market for the year.
The diversity on display at the BRAFA Art Fair is truly the exception. Pieces span 5000 years of history, dating from the Bronze Age to the present day. Due to the rigorous selection process, buyers can have the greatest confidence in their purchases here. The fair attracts a mixture of major art lovers, new collectors, and curious shoppers with an eye for the unique and inspiring.
