Everybody who has even thought about antiques is either putting on a show, or paying to get into the many events held in this whirlwind frenzy antiques month in the big, cold apple. The local auction houses long ago jumped on the bandwagon and usually throw big auctions; this year's star being the collection of Ralph Esmerian, "Visual Grace". The auction grossed $12,955,943, a new record for an auction of American Folk Art. But nothing compares to this old chestnut of shows that, like Cher, will live forever! And I mean that in a nice way.
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| Nathan Liverant & Son, Colchester, CT. Arthur Liverant heads up the third generation of this family business which has been dealing in Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century American furniture, paintings, silver, glass and related accessories since 1920. I always try to tell Arthur that he really does not look 90, but he is always too busy with customers to joke around. (Just kidding). |
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| Suzanne Courcier and Robert W. Wilkins, Yarmouth Port, MA. Not only is Arthur Liverant not even close to 90, but Suzanne and Bob are not Shaker, although their strictness in exhibiting the finest of Shaker and Americana is worthy of old church discipline. They are a little looser when they party, however, thank Heav'n. |
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| Olde Hope Antiques, New Hope, PA. Veterans of 17 years at the Winter Antiques Show, this firm has always exhibited extraordinary examples of American Folk and Decorative Arts. It is not easy to make Americana seem fresh and crisp, but each year their booth hits a home run. |
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| "R 20th Century", New York City. Yep, Mod made it to the Winter Antiques Show. The elegance here is very seductive and we suspect we will be seeing more fine 20th-Century design at shows in the coming years. |
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| Elliott & Grace Snyder, South Egremont, MA. The Snyders are much admired authorities on early American furniture, paintings, textiles and Americana. Their presence at the Winter Antiques Show makes a significant contribution to the event. |
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| Barbara Israel Garden Antiques, Katonah, NY. A fantasy comes to life here with garden furnishings of the highest caliber. Americans still have some catching up to do in this field of collecting, and Ms. Israel is here to help. |
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| David A. Schorsch - Eileen M. Smiles, Woodbury, CT. Always with an outstanding collection, this year's booth included an Ammi Phillips masterpiece, a double portrait of twin brothers, Jacob Wessil Ten Broeck and William Henry Ten Broeck, painted in Clermont, Columbia County, New York, 1834. |
