LONDON.- Four major dealers based in the area surrounding Davies Street in Mayfair will host an evening of receptions at their respective galleries on Thursday 4 December 2014.

The joint event signals the arrival of these four galleries, either new or recently relocated, in this small pocket of Mayfair. All deal in antiquities, cementing the reputation of this area as a destination for ancient art. The prime locations and renewal of these galleries, is indicative of the continuing success and desirability of this field within the art market.

Charles Ede has recently relocated to spacious premises at Three Kings’ Yard. The new gallery space has undergone extensive refurbishment, referencing the age of the Grand Tour whilst embracing a contemporary aesthetic. Highlights of the display in the gallery will include an Egyptian bust of Isis (712-525 BC) and an elegant Cycladic female figure (c. 2600 BC), which is an example of the Spedos type, placing it at the pinnacle of prehistoric Cycladic sculpture. The bold forms and simplified lines of both these objects are particularly appealing to the contemporary viewer.

Earlier this year, Daniel Katz Gallery acquired a six-storey Edwardian town house on Hill Street, which has been transformed into a series of grand spaces, incorporating both original features and new finishing. The gallery deals in the finest sculpture from across the ages, and the current exhibition is entitled ‘The Shape of Things: Three Decades of British Modernist Sculpture’. It features Paolozzi’s Standing Figure (1957) made as part of his totemic bronze series, as well as Chimera (1932) by Epstein, depicting a startlingly abbreviated head. The latter, which is carved in alabaster and primitive it its influences, strikes a chord with the ancient art seen in the other galleries.

At the same address, Ariadne Galleries has opened a London space in addition to its original New York branch. They will exhibit ‘Treasures of Ancient Egypt’ including an exceptionally well-preserved polychrome gilded cartonnage mask (1st century AD), representing a woman of high social standing, styled with symbols of the Afterlife that are so evocative of ancient Egyptian culture.

Kallos Gallery is an entirely new venture founded by Baron Lorne Thyssen-Bornemisza. Based on Davies Street, the gallery boasts a contemporary, minimal interior with nods to the ancient world. An important work on show at the gallery is an Enthroned Kore (Maiden) dated from the Archaic period. The ornate decoration including polos crown and still-preserved remnants of painted colour, signify her status as a goddess, likely Demeter or her daughter Persephone.

With the help of a map on the invitation, guests of the event will be encouraged to visit each gallery in turn, to see their newly opened or refurbished spaces. Not just unified by geographical location, all the galleries share a desire to champion ancient art and maintain the highest standards of integrity and quality in their field.

Martin Clist, Managing Director of Charles Ede comments: "I am delighted that these renowned galleries have come together to highlight our area of Mayfair as a centre for dealers in the best ancient art. What better time of year to celebrate this with our existing and new audiences, and ensure we are firmly on the Mayfair map."