NORGES KUNST- OG ANTIKVITETSHANDLERES FORENING

The Union of the Norwegian Art and Antique Traders (Norges Kunst- og Antikvitetshandleres Forening) was founded in 1945. The organisation was originally based upon a club of gentlemen who were basically dealing in art. They met daily for lunch and established this organisation.

Today we count around 40 members dealing in antiques, carpets, art, coins, stamps, books and related items. Over the last few years, the number of members has been reduced from 50. This reflects changes in the market situation as well as a shortage in recruiting new members. This year we had only one application for new membership. Our oldest member has been granted an honorary membership for life.

We have one member in Bergen, one in Aalesund and one in Stavanger. All our other members are situated in, or in the vicinity of Oslo. The oldest have been in business since the 19th century.

The main annual events are the General Assembly and the autumn exhibition arranged in Oslo. This exhibition draws 40 to 45 exhibitors, and is our finest show in which 10 to 15 of our members participate. The President is elected annually. Now Lars N. Nygard, age 53, who has been in the carpet trade for 30 years, is serving his second term, and also runs the secretarial services.

The President rules together with a board of four other members, elected for two years.

The specialities of our market are rural, Norwegian Antiques, furniture and utensils like bowls and tankards for beer. The finest of these are decorated with the so-called "Rose-Painting" style, a form of decoration adapted from the Acanthus style and turned into a specific Norwegian style, unique in Scandinavia. This style had its finest period in the 18th Century.