TEFAF New York 2026 insights: Ancient artworks, timeless provenance

Following a highly anticipated return to the Park Avenue Armory for our sophomore presentation, David Aaron is delighted to share the outcomes of our participation in TEFAF New York 2026. Anchored by a buoyant atmosphere and an engaged gathering of international connoisseurs, the fair reaffirmed the enduring vigour of the antiquities market.

This year’s edition of TEFAF New York proved to be a successful event for our gallery, distinguished not only by robust sales but by the depth of engagement from a sophisticated crowd of US collectors. This vibrant regional turnout underscores New York’s position as an essential crossroads for the appreciation of classical antiquity and fine art.

The Stele of Thutmose IV at David Aaron's stand at TEFAF New York 2026. Image: Peter Baker

The Stele of Thutmose IV

The centrepiece of our presentation was the magnificent Egyptian limestone Stele of Thutmose IV. Dating from the 18th Dynasty (c. 1417–1407 B.C.), this remarkable piece found a new home with a private collector on the opening day of the fair.

The Stele of Thutmose IV stands as an extraordinary historical piece, depicting Pharaoh Thutmose IV making ritual offerings to the creator god Atum under a sweeping winged sun disc. Beyond its striking aesthetic presence and masterfully incised hieroglyphs, the stele possessed a legendary modern provenance that made it even more appealing to the market.

For decades, the stele resided in the prestigious collection of Ben Weider (1923–2008), the co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilders and a pioneering figure of the sport, who had been presented with the object in Cairo, March 1964, by the United Arab Republic of Bodybuilding Federation in recognition of his ‘work in popularising bodybuilding in the Middle East’.

Further, the gallery successfully made sales across Classical Roman and Greek, and Judaica objects, engaging with collectors interested in diverse cultural epochs.

A buoyant market

The results achieved at TEFAF New York offer clear indicators of current art market dynamics:

Provenance remains paramount: Collectors continue to prioritise pieces with airtight, prestigious lineages. Artworks that link to famous collections or notable scholars instil confidence in buyers.

Uncompromising quality and condition: Market participants are looking for objects of exceptional quality that have stood the test of time. Pieces showcasing beautiful preservation, such as the intact Thutmose IV stele, stand out.

An enthusiastic collector base: The fair witnessed an exceptionally energetic and highly engaged attendance from local US collectors, along with international visitors. This localised enthusiasm injected vibrant dialogue into the fair, demonstrating that the appetite for top-tier antiquities remains robust and deeply rooted in the American market.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the organisers of TEFAF and the remarkable community of New York, US and international collectors who visited our stand. The success of this fair reinforces our ongoing commitment to presenting antiquities of the highest pedigree and historical importance.

David Aaron's stand at TEFAF New York 2026. Image: Peter Baker