Dubai’s Vindemia Gallery of art, antiques and collectibles is at the Grand Millennium Al Wahda this summer, with an outstanding exhibition. The collection of 35 mechanical music instruments
(with some of them dating back to the 19th century) was put together by founder of Vindemia, Ghada Kunash. Hailing from Jordan, this Circassian architect has taken her passion for collectables to another level and turned it into two galleries (one for antiques and one for contemporary arts), and more recently an outlet selling limited edition pieces designed and made by artists, ranging from stationary to furniture. We spoke to Ghada about the exhibition and the love of antiques.
You’re an architect by profession, when did you start collecting antiques, and mechanical instruments in particular?
Collecting antiques is a hobby I inherited from my father, it was always a dream to have my own space to fill with what I love and purchase, a dream that was realized five years ago in Vindemia Gallery. My encounter with mechanical music instruments was totally by chance, about seven years ago, while I was walking around antique shops and markets in England. I was fascinated by the intricate craftsmanship and the pure sound of music. There I bought my first music box, made by Brollier de Geneve, circa 1836, and my first polyphone, made in Leipzig by The Mormond Freres, circa 1900. Both are well known makers of these instruments. I learned that these pieces were first made in Switzerland and Germany, did my research and followed up on the collectors whom I contacted and became good friends with. A few of them have helped me to put this collection together and bring it to the UAE for people to see and enjoy.
What else do you collect?
You would find all sorts of things in my gallery: furniture and jewellery, manuscripts and side lamps, silver and porcelain, boxes and clocks, maps, stamps, chandeliers, Hollywood memorabilia and lithographs. Also paintings of course, I mix the antiques with contemporary artwork from my art gallery next door. I buy anything I find unique. If you ask me what would be my favorite to buy I would say different styles of armchairs and chairs.
What is the oldest piece you have at the exhibition?
The oldest is the Brollier de Geneve music box. The makers of the mechanism were originally clock makers hence the highly intricate, delicate and sophisticated kind of craftsmanship. These kinds of boxes were found in the rich people’s drawing rooms for entertaining guests.
We understand there’s a Steinway concert grand piano in the collection, which once belonged to of King Edward VII.
Yes. Our Steinway was made in 1896, and delivered to King Edward VII, Prince of Wales in 1898. The rosewood case is in beautiful condition but more importantly the instrument has retained the excellent tonal properties, considering the age, for which Steinway pianos are universally renowned. We are selling that for almost Dhs3.6 million.
What’s your favourite piece?
Actually there are two. One is the Biedermeier upright writing desk, circa 1820. An incredible piece of furniture with beautiful inlay on all sides, adapted with aSwiss music box made by Mormond Freres of St Croix. It has 10 interchangeable cylinders each playing four songs (or airs as they were called) with a Zither attachment and tune indicator. The musical movement is circa 1870. The other one is The Hupfeld Symphony Jazz Orchestrion. This giant piece is a piano in Art Deco style that contains a complete orchestra inside its upright body: a banjo, foxtrot bells, Charleston cymbals, jazz bass, drums, Italian cymbals. The self playing piano is operated by means of a pump that pumps air through a perforated roll of paper where the music notes are the holes on these rolls. It comes with a big collection of different rolls playing different types of ballroom dancing and public festival music like the Charleston and the Waltz. These huge pieces were usually placed in public halls where big festivals were held for people to enjoy dancing together.
Mechanical Music Instruments by Vindemia Gallery is on until 22 August. Open Saturday to Thursday from 10am-7pm at the Grand Millenium Al Wahda Hotel (02 443 9999).
