Category Archives: Decoys

Folk Tales Opens at New York Design Center

January 25, 2012   admin   No comments
JudithMilneJustFolk

For those of you who haven’t found exactly what you’re looking for among American antiques and art at auction and at the antiques shows last weekend, you now have until the end of February to tap the selected inventory of five of the nation’s most elite Americana dealers.

Folk Tales: Bringing Folk Art Home,  at the New York Design Center on Lexington Avenue, kicked off with preview that was packed.  They came and discovered museum quality quilts, flags, game boards, weather vanes, hand made Grenfel rugs, carved wooden figures, paintings and furniture. To cite this selling exhibition as outstanding is to understate its impact.

Unlike a regular antiques show, Folk Tales is curated by five of the country’s leading Americana specialists.  They are “A Bird in Hand,” “Ames Gallery,” ” Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques,”  “Just Folk” and Judith and James Milne’s “At Home Antiques.” (Mrs. Milne is shown in our featured image.)

How they all packed-out from Antiques at the Armory and set up again in a matter of days is a mystery to me. But the feeling among the group is that this show is well worth the effort.  Not only does the show have the sponsorship of 1stDibs.com, where each of the dealers has a micro-site, it will run for six weeks.

A Grenfell Rug, made in Newfoundland of silk stockings. On view at "A Bird in Hand"

You can go, look, touch, and ask questions. (And if you care to broaden your perspective, the 10th floor of the Design Center has  many more, though mostly modern, exhibits to puruse.)

My personal suggestion, be sure to allow at least a morning or afternoon for this show. Although you won’t find an overwhelming number of items, you will probably find something you can’t live without. And if you don’t, chances are great that the dealers all have something special tucked away that will blow your mind.

American Flag, 34 stars

"Great Star" flag at Jeff Bridgman Antiques, c. 1861- 65, with 34 stars in a star pattern

Folk Tales is at the New York Design Center, 200 Lexington Avenue (aat 33rd Street), on the 10th floor. Hours are Momday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The show is free and open to the public.

 

 

 

 

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Antiques at the Armory

January 22, 2012   Regina   No comments
sswanpamter

The 69th Regiment Armory on Lexington Ave at 26th Street holds a bevy of surprises for shoppers today. I checked in there yesterday and was awed by the ambiance, the exhibits, and the good deals.

This is where you will find the elite of the American antiques dealers-as passionate about their chosen fields as anything you can imagine. Judith Milne, for example, is on the first row and her collection of weather vanes, advertising art and more is just the type of thing you want to add to a modern apartment or, well, just about anywhere.

The Spirit of America at Antiques at the Armory

Around the  corner, Doug and Bev Norwood of Spirit of America, are about as easy to talk to as anyone in the trade. And their collection is just superb.

At A Bird in Hand, you’ll have an excuse to splurge on rarities that span weather vanse, models of dogs, and needlework.  The carved wooden swan here is from their exhibit. The articulated bird is beautiful, still has some white pigment remaining and – guess what – is practical. It had been converted to a planter and probably looks awesome laden with greens.

There is more, of course, including excellent selection of estate jewelry and designer  vintage costume jewelry. You’ll find perfect quill boxes, African artifacts, sterling pieces, and posters, among the outstanding categories.

If you’re looking for a laid back, classy act, the Armory is the place to be this afternoon. And you’ll get in on the Combo ticket that gives you access to the Pier show as well. Try the free shuttle bus to get around today.

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Americana and Antiques @ The Pier

January 22, 2012   Regina   No comments
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If you can think like a dealer, you can shop like a dealer at Pier 92, better known as the antiques show Americana and Antiques @ The Pier.  OK, so you have to shlep over to 12th Avenue and the Hudson River at 50th Street, but it’s worth it.

At the Pier you’ll fine at least 92 dealers, most of the no frills type. And that’s a good thing because it keeps inventory high and prices affordable. I’ve shopped this fair with designers on unlimited budgets and – WOW – they barely made a dent and walked out with armloads of great stuff.

You’ll find Americana, books, estate jewelry and more. Some of the great things I saw were at Josh and Mary Steenburg’s booth.  The four whimsical wood panel paintings, circa 1900, I was admiring came off the wall, got paid for and left the building while I was still adjusting the camera. BTW,  the Steenburgs are going to be in Nashville in a couple of weeks at Music Valley Antiques Show.

Shoppers view marble dust painting at a dealer's booth

Melissa Borques, of Melissa Borques Antiques, New Hampshire, told me her “pack out” was going to be very easy. In trade parlance, that means she sold a lot of stuff.  In buyer parlance, it means prices are very fair.

And that’s the thing about the Pier Show, dealers are serious about selling. So if you’re the type that can buy today for tomorrow, head over to the Pier now.

Americana and Antiques @ The Pier runs through today. Best bet: Buy a combo ticket so you can take the free shuttle bus to the Americana at the Armory.

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