NEW YORK—You can stare at a beautiful antique for long stretches, observing its boundless intricacies and compelled by its history. At the International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show, opening this Friday, you spend an eternity staring.
Now its 22nd year, the show will be exhibiting fine quality antiques from across the United States and Europe through Oct. 28 at the Park Avenue Armory. The show features a large selection of sculptures, jewelry, furniture, rare books, ceramics, and clocks, and more from over 60 exhibitors.
Brian and Anna Haughton, directors of the show impose strict standards for the pieces, ensuring each item is vetted for authenticity and quality.
“The vetting process, which we introduced to fairs in America in 1989, is an invaluable resource that gives buyers the extra security that they can buy with confidence,” writes director Brian Haughton in the program.
“Quality” is the word to describe many of the pieces displayed at the show, with a large portion being museum-worthy.
Simon Phillips, owner of Mayfair antiques dealers Ronald Philips in London, brought an exquisite collection of English antique mirrors dating back to the 1700s.
“They’ve become very popular because they’re so decorative,” said Phillips. “You can’t just have only paintings in a room. In the old days it was all about reflecting the light.”
Each mirror is unique and was crafted by some of the best English craftsmen from the best materials. Prices range from $37,000 to over $900,000.
Martin Levy from H. Blairman & Sons has been coming to the show for the past 15 to 18 years. Levy specializes in primarily 19th century antiques featuring objects designed by a variety of architects.
Now its 22nd year, the show will be exhibiting fine quality antiques from across the United States and Europe through Oct. 28 at the Park Avenue Armory. The show features a large selection of sculptures, jewelry, furniture, rare books, ceramics, and clocks, and more from over 60 exhibitors.
Brian and Anna Haughton, directors of the show impose strict standards for the pieces, ensuring each item is vetted for authenticity and quality.
“The vetting process, which we introduced to fairs in America in 1989, is an invaluable resource that gives buyers the extra security that they can buy with confidence,” writes director Brian Haughton in the program.
“Quality” is the word to describe many of the pieces displayed at the show, with a large portion being museum-worthy.
Simon Phillips, owner of Mayfair antiques dealers Ronald Philips in London, brought an exquisite collection of English antique mirrors dating back to the 1700s.
“They’ve become very popular because they’re so decorative,” said Phillips. “You can’t just have only paintings in a room. In the old days it was all about reflecting the light.”
Each mirror is unique and was crafted by some of the best English craftsmen from the best materials. Prices range from $37,000 to over $900,000.
Martin Levy from H. Blairman & Sons has been coming to the show for the past 15 to 18 years. Levy specializes in primarily 19th century antiques featuring objects designed by a variety of architects.
Among the collection is a plate by Charles Lepec, a leading 19th century French artist. The plate was exhibited by Lepec at the Paris Salon in 1862. The Paris Salon was the world-renowned art exhibition of the Academy of Fine Arts, in France in the 18th and 19th centuries.
“It is the first piece known that he exhibited literally at the very start of his career,” said Levy.
“What’s interesting is it is stylistically and in terms of quality exactly what he did for the rest of his career until the 1880s,” he continued, noting that there are two other pieces by Lepec currently displayed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, “It’s exquisite.”
Levy said that one of the great things about the fair is the large variety of pieces on display. He mentioned that, for himself, it’s exciting finding objects that have a special place in history.
Sylvanus Shaw from Bernd Goeckler Antiques in New York brought slightly more modern pieces to the fair. He featured a rare lighting fixture from Fontana lighting in the 1950s as well as several furniture pieces by Andre Sornay.
The New York based antique shop has been around for two decades.
“Our philosophy has always been the best sells,” said Shaw. “If you have the best, it’s always easy to sell regardless of economic times and fashions. The discriminating eye and the best collectors will always seize those pieces.”
His personal favorite is a pair of 1930s Italian arm chairs by premium designer Osvaldo Borsani.
“Museum pieces, these two,” said Shaw of the chairs, which are valued at $58,500.
The fair is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with the exception of Sunday and Thursday when the show ends at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at the door.
“It is the first piece known that he exhibited literally at the very start of his career,” said Levy.
“What’s interesting is it is stylistically and in terms of quality exactly what he did for the rest of his career until the 1880s,” he continued, noting that there are two other pieces by Lepec currently displayed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, “It’s exquisite.”
Levy said that one of the great things about the fair is the large variety of pieces on display. He mentioned that, for himself, it’s exciting finding objects that have a special place in history.
Sylvanus Shaw from Bernd Goeckler Antiques in New York brought slightly more modern pieces to the fair. He featured a rare lighting fixture from Fontana lighting in the 1950s as well as several furniture pieces by Andre Sornay.
The New York based antique shop has been around for two decades.
“Our philosophy has always been the best sells,” said Shaw. “If you have the best, it’s always easy to sell regardless of economic times and fashions. The discriminating eye and the best collectors will always seize those pieces.”
His personal favorite is a pair of 1930s Italian arm chairs by premium designer Osvaldo Borsani.
“Museum pieces, these two,” said Shaw of the chairs, which are valued at $58,500.
The fair is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with the exception of Sunday and Thursday when the show ends at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at the door.
