This Goat by an unknown maker, 1875–1900, likely adorned a farm building.

Antique American Weathervanes At Brandywine River Museum

CHADDS FORD, PENN. — Weathervanes have a long history of adorning buildings around the world and offering guidance on wind direction. They get their name from the Old English “fane,” which means flag or banner. Weathervanes are among the oldest forms of weather prediction, with mentions in ancient writings from Mesopotamia more than 3,500 years ago. The Chinese talk about strings or flags used to read wind directions in Second Century BC writings. Today, weathervanes are increasingly prized collectibles. Weathervanes have simple designs, but in order to function, they must be perfectly balanced on their rotating axis and need an unequal area on each side against which the wind can blow. As the weathervane spins to reduce the force of wind on its surface, the end with the least surface area turns into the wind, thus indicating the wind direction. Vanes also must be located on the highest point of a structure, away from other buildings that could affect wind direction... Read more

This Goat by an unknown maker, 1875–1900, likely adorned a farm building.

Antiques Shows

Wayside Inn Antiques Show Springs Forward

The Wayside Inn Antiques Show makes good use of its best assets. Now in its fourth year, the annual Mother’s Day weekend event is staged under a big tent on the bucolic grounds of Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, a not-for-profit historic landmark 20... Read more

Ridgefield Antiques Market Ushers In New Season For Outdoor Shows

Returning for its 51st year, the Ridgefield Antiques Market opened on a glorious, sunny morning, May 4, in and around the historic Lounsbury mansion. Inside, showgoers could browse ephemera dealers’ offerings of posters, photographs, books, print... Read more

Garden Show Makes Debut At Antique & Artisan Center

The Antique & Artisan Center’s inaugural garden show and sale, featuring garden antiques and architectural elements for the outside and inside, made its debut May 10–12 to rave reviews. Offerings from many of the shop’s dealers were set up outs... Read more

Trade News

Stella Sells New York Shows, Announces Retirement

Stella Show Mgmt Co. has confirmed the rumors that have been widely circulating throughout the trade over the past several months: the sale of the Pier Antiques Show and the Antiques at the Armory Show. Making the announcement on May 20, Irene Stella communicated that the shows had been sold to GLM. Stella also announced news of her retirement and a reorganization of Stella Show Mgmt Co... Read more

Long-Missing Rare Glass Bottle Returning To Wistar Institute

A piece of American history will be returning home. A rare glass bottle made by Caspar Wistar, New Jersey’s first glassmaker who began the first successful glass factory in the American colonies, was in the Wistar Inst... Read more

Controversy Arises Over Vase Sold At Altair Auctions

Controversy has arisen over an Eighteenth Century Chinese famille rose double gourd vase that sold for $1.7 million during an auction conducted by Altair Auctions on March 30. Allegations followed that sale with claims that the vase was a modern reproduct... Read more

Auction Action

Christie’s Postwar & Contemporary Art Evening Sale Totals $495 Million

On May 15, Christie’s postwar and contemporary art evening sale achieved a staggering $495,021,500, with a remarkably strong sell-through rate of 94 percent by value and by lot. Bidders from around the world competed for an exceptional array of Abstr... Read more

Tiffany 15.06-Carat Fancy Yellow Diamond Sells For $348,000 At DuMouchelle Auction

The Joseph DuMouchelle jewelry auction conducted on May 8 astounded bidders with a final bid totaling $348,000 for an antique Tiffany & Co. lady’s pendant. The estimate was $125/175,000. The platinum and gold heart-shaped pendant, circa 1895, fea... Read more

Golden Gavel Auctions — A Thursday Night Attraction

EAST WINDSOR, CONN. — “My mother actually cried when I opted for the antiques business rather than college,” Patrick Soucy said, when reflecting back on his teenage days. At age 13 he worked for an antiques dealer in his hometown, got hooked on the business, a... Read more

Preview These Antiques Shows

Keep an eye on this space for our next show preview, which will be the Vermont Antiques Dealers Association show.  Also featured is our Annual Calendar of Antiques Shows and Flea Markets, available year round.

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(Coming soon: Vermont Antiques Dealers Association)