In a surprising reversal, the high-profile, hard-hitting president of the Syndicat National des Antiquaires (SNA), the Asian-antiques specialist Christian Deydier, 58, was defeated on November 12 in his bid for a seventh term by Hervé Aaron, 57, the scion of the 18th-century-antiques dynasty. The headline at the French Journal des Arts Web site, Artclair.com, read "Coup d’état à la tête du sna." The reality is less revolutionary, according to Aaron: "I call it democracy." 

The general assembly of the SNA — one of the most powerful organizations on the French arts scene — convened an evening session at its Boulevard Malesherbes headquarters to vote for a new 17-member Conseil d’Administration. That team directs the SNA’s daily affairs and runs the prestigious Biennale des Antiquaires and the Salon du Collectionneur, held in alternate years; it also chooses the group’s president. Of the 25 candidates for the board, Deydier and Aaron vied for the top post.

Fresh from the success of the September Parisian Biennale, which, despite the looming economic downturn, was considered by many the most brilliant since the legendary 1992 edition (the last at the Grand Palais before it underwent a decade-long renovation), Deydier was confident of reelection. But as the night wore on, suspense grew when some of his supporters lost their seats, including the former vice president Anisabelle Berès (Asian antiques), Assistant Treasurer Philippe Delpierre (17th- and 18th-century and Empire furniture, objets d’art), Secretary General Robert Vallois (Art Deco) and the communications spokesman Michel Vandermeersch (ceramics, porcelain).

How did the six-term president, who during his energetic sna stewardship had implemented innovations and bylaw reforms — increasing the presidential term to two years from one — and brought about a reduction in the export tax for certain art categories, wind up with 6 votes to his challenger’s 11? His abrasive manner and authoritarian management style had polarized the group, according to a board insider: "He is intelligent and a great worker, but he doesn’t know how to work with a team. He would have made the SNA into his private fief."

Contrast that with the "fraternity instead of confrontation" that the affable and diplomatic Aaron is offering: "I’m working with a team who are good friends and with whom I share ideas. We are leading the association into a new life in a positive manner."

A young dealer agrees: "[Deydier] wanted to be king, but he forgot to consult his men. Now we have people who will listen to us."

Discontent with Deydier dates from the 2006 election, which Aaron contested. After his victory then, Deydier admitted having been "violently criticized and reproached for being a tyrant," and he promised "to delegate more, give the grand lines of action while keeping a minimum of control." He didn’t keep that promise, however.

And Aaron had learned a political lesson: "Then, I didn’t campaign. This time I did." Deydier made a tactical error by sending out a letter telling recipients which candidates to vote for, alienating those not listed. Aaron, by contrast, ran a grass-roots race, with his supporters calling sna members to ask for their votes.

The association’s elections are usually low-key affairs, but this one elicited a record turnout of 296 out of 389 eligible voters, compared with the average participation of about 200. And the voting had a global flavor. Although the association’s name implies a French-only affair, many top international dealers who joined to participate in the Biennale (for which sna membership is a prerequisite) also have a say. "I’ve known Hervé for a long time, and I think he will do a wonderful job," says Pierre Durand, the director of New York’s Chinese Porcelain Company. "It was time for a change."