Belgian antiques dealer, interior designer, art collector, and tastemaker Axel Vervoordt was granted the noble title of baron on November 18 by King Philippe of Belgium. The investiture took place at the Royal Palace in Brussels, where 23 distinguished individuals were honored for their contributions to society, culture, science, and the economy.

Baron Axel Vervoordt is a leading figure in art and design renowned for fostering dialogues between European avant-garde movements, postwar Asian art, as well as furniture and interior design. Guided by the philosophical tenets of Japanese wabi-sabi and a lifelong passion for antiques, Vervoordt has contributed to the expansion of global appreciation for diverse collecting categories. Among his most renowned projects are the restoration of the 12th-century Kasteel van ’s-Gravenwezel, his residence in Belgium, and the development of Kanaal, where he transformed a 19th-century Belgian industrial complex near Antwerp into a residential, commercial, and cultural hub. 

Vervoordt founded the Axel Vervoordt Company in 1969. What began as an antiques dealership has since evolved into a multidisciplinary organization that spans design, art dealing, curatorial work, and exhibition programming across its galleries in Belgium and Hong Kong, along with collaborations for major international art events. 

Reflecting on the honor, first announced in July last year, Vervoordt expressed gratitude and looked back on his creative journey. “I’ve dedicated my path to searching for what’s universal in the human experience,” he said. “The path led me to seek a balance in timelessness and contrasts. Between East and West. Yin and Yang. Full and empty. Eternal and ephemeral. This openness helped me explore the world.”

Yuqian Fan is an editorial intern at ArtAsiaPacific.