The Winter Antiques Show Part One

I took sooooo many pictures at the 61st Annual Winter Antiques Show over the weekend that I'll be breaking this up into multiple posts, three I think. I visited the show on Saturday at the Park Avenue Armory. You can visit too! The show runs through February 1st, and you can visit the show website here . I've tried my best to get the information for each piece photographed, and the dealer who had it, but there are a few exceptions- sorry!

We start with a beautiful brass foliated mirror c.1884 attributed to M. Allebach (1859-1900) of Philadelphia. I love this piece for two reasons- first, the turnings and posts in the corners are strongly reminiscent of engraved brass and silvered clock dials of a hundred years earlier. Second the exuberant flora that playfully winds through the square frame so perfectly captures the mood of the Aesthetic Movement!

This and the next image are both from the booth in the front right corner of the show floor. I can't find a floor plan right now, but I will do my best to find the vendor's name. Anyway- I love the form and color of this vase. It looks so much like something one would come across while snorkeling a tropical reef. I think I'll need to do a piece of furniture in this deep bold teal!

And this lovely painted panel, which looks incredibly inviting with a blizzard howling outside at the moment.

From Robert Young Antiques we have this endearing portrait titled "Two Prize Spaniels at the Stockton Show" Oil on Canvas, signed T. Wolton c.1886. It's a warm, friendly painting that would bring a little character to any library or study.
I'm re-reading All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot right now, so I think I'm especially a sucker for the animal portraits at the moment.

From Les Enluminures' booth is this fanciful illuminated manuscript on parchment from Eastern France c. 1450. Yes, you read that correctly, this drawing on paper is a little over 550 years old. And I take it as complete and final proof that man-headed dragons wearing crowns totally existed in real life once. 

Also from Les Enluminures is this incredible wood coffer from France c. 1480-1490. It looks straight out of Game of Thrones, doesn't it!

Ok, one more from Les Enluminures, is this beautiful collection of rings dating to the 15th and 16th century. I love the studded one, awesome for a brawl.

Now a few highlights from Nathan Liverant and Son of Colchester, Connecticut, which I have a special soft spot for because I worked there for almost four years. This high chest, also known as a highboy, was likely made by one of my favorite Connecticut cabinetmakers, John Wheeler Geer Jr. of New London, CT c. 1780-1795. 

I had the privilege of researching this exceptional Gabriel form weathervane about a year ago. It came off the Morse boat house on Martha's Vineyard and was made right around 1830. That date, paired with the delightfully naive and individualistic form place this weathervane among the very best ever discovered. 

Next is the booth of Olde Hope Antiques from New Hope, PA. Every year their booth is a feast for the eyes, all color and pattern and inspired early decorative arts. This large vibrantly paint decorated cupboard is absolutely to die for.

I've had the opportunity to admire this fine and rare collection of graduated polychrome Shaker band boxes twice now. They are, hands down, one of my favorite objects on the show floor, and serve as a pleasant reminder that antiques are not dark, dreary, and dreadful as some might believe.

I photographed this handsome cupboard primarily because I love the gray color, and will certainly be trying it on a piece of furniture soon, and also because the pairing of weathervane, turned bowl and cupboard is just so incredibly attractive. 

Grace and Elliott Snyder always have many fascinating objects in their booth. I could have spent hours studying the delightful array of early brass candlesticks and snuff boxes. 

One of the stars of the show is this astounding folk art fireboard in Grace and Elliott Snyder's booth. It is attributed to Connecticut Folk Artist Winthrop Chandler and was likely made right here in Connecticut about 250 years ago. 

In the booth of Bernard and S. Dean Levy I couldn't pass by this wonderful Queen Anne figured maple porringer top tea table without snapping a shot. Just look at the curl of the wood! And those straight tapered and turned legs mean it was probably made in Eastern Connecticut or Rhode Island. Gorgeous!

I adore the deep color of this jardiniere in H. Blairman and Sons Ltd's booth. It was manufactured by Theodore Deck in France c. 1890. 

An airy ethereal oil on board landscape painting of Lake George
by John Kensett, American (1826-1872) and was painted c.1863. 

It's just amazing the things you can see at the Winter Antiques Show. Look at this row of early 20th century art glass lamps!

These Roman bronze lion mask handles date to the 2nd century AD. 

And this Roman marble figure of Aphrodite dates to about the same period. Incredible!!

This was in the same booth, a Roman marble strigillated cinerary urn. C. 1st-2nd century AD.
There are two words there that I didn't know, so I looked them up-

Strigillated: Repeated upright flutes or reeds on a flat band such as a fascia or frieze
Cinerary: holding or intended for ashes, especially the ashes of cremated bodies
...makes you wonder where the ashes went!

This lady has enough sass for all of us. She is over it. Also she's got a raven on a gold chain. She's clearly far cooler than any of us will ever be.
Ilya Efimovitch Repin (1844-1930)
Portrait of Lydia Kuznetzova
Oil on canvas
signed and dated 1901.

 

In Barbara Israel Garden Antiques' booth I found this beautiful cast-iron recumbent stag. It's French-Continental and dates to about 1880. Wouldn't he be lovely next to a massive fireplace in a grand chateau! 

Also is Barbara Israel's booth is this impressive carved granite figure of Industry. According to tradition she was salvaged from a municipal building in Massachusetts during the 50s and originally dates to about 1880. 

In the booth of Thomas Colville Fine Art is this fantastic oil on canvas titled Sailboats on the Hudson. It dates to c. 1850 and is by American artist James MacDougal Hart (1828-1901). 

I found this enamel twist pitcher and the decanter below especially appealing. 

The original grumpy cat, and one of the funniest things on the entire show floor. The cat's all like "Screw your sewing!!"
The painting dates to c. 1868. 

A spectacular weathervane in the booth of Tillou Gallery,  it's American c.1875-1885. The early black and white spotted paint surface along with verdigris make for a particularly wonderful coloration. 

Here is a fascinating example of a silk embroidery mourning scene. The pieces were popular both in American and English young ladies' academies just after the turn of the 19th century. What makes this one interesting is that is is unfinished. The female figure is sketched in ink on the silk backing, but not worked. And yet, the piece was mounted behind an eglomise mat and framed regardless. 

And finally this stunning antique thistle form pin. I don't usually go in for jewelry, but My God, this is pretty!