Williamsburg, Va., Is For Lovers Of Antiques

WILLIAMSBURG, VA.

:About 250 people attended the Friday night opening of the 24th annual Holiday Antiques Show at the Williamsburg Kingsmill Marriott on November 25. "This may well be the best little show in Virginia," said promoter Bettianne Sweeney. This year there were 28 dealers from 12 states and one from London, each with special offerings.

The promoter remarked that the gate was average, but the buyers were enthusiastic. "There were a number of good sales on Friday night, but the ball got rolling a little after noon on Saturday," commented Sweeney. "I was worried when the public trickled in on Saturday morning, but it picked up about noon and a stroll through the show at about one o'clock revealed one red tag after another."

Scott Cilley, Northumberland Antiques, Richmond, Va., sold a chest and then another chest was sold by Brills Antiques. Still more red tags appeared in the booth of Lucille and Charles Berg of South Easton, Mass., where a blanket chest, a server and a bible box were among the items sold. Another blanket chest in old red paint offered by Susan White, The Doves Nest, Richmond, Va., and a corner cupboard and Welsh dresser from the booth of Christopher English of West Palm Beach, Fla., all marched out the door.

"I sold the best piece of stoneware that I brought," remarked Steve German, Mad River Antiques, who also sold another piece of stoneware and some baskets. Before it was all over he parted with most of the furniture he brought with him from North Granby, Conn., including a blanket chest in old red and a tiger maple candlestand.

A number of tables, including drop leafs, country, one drawer stands and a beautiful Eighteenth Century New England butterfly model offered by McNeil-Reed of Delmar, Md., also found new homes.

Neverbird Antiques, Surry, Va., specializes in American samplers. It has branched out to include paintings and other artworks that hang on the wall, and here the booth sported two "fancy chairs," one adult and one child, in ochre paint and decorated.

Beatrice Pearl from Mocksville, N.C., had a carousel horse and a primitive Nineteenth Century Norwegian cupboard in original blue paint. To the Point, Richmond, Va., showed a variety of Eighteenth Century pieces as well as a Victorian dollhouse. From Sturbridge, Mass., Anne Hall brought her prints, some framed and some to be custom framed.

John Long of Mineral, Va., displayed a wonderful Virginia desk and a pair of Philadelphia Chippendale chairs. Antiques of London is the business of Mel Madsen and Warren Burls, who live and buy in London, but return to the states a couple of times of the year just to do antiques shows. Their booth was filled with distinctive smalls that would make wonderful gift items.

Shaeffer's Antiques of Glyndon, Md., specializes in fine ceramics and Staffordshire. One offering was a copper luster commemorative pitcher about 4 inches tall depicting the surrender at Yorktown - something of local interest. Kentucky Sandpiper, Russellville, Ky., displayed unusual items, some classified as folk art. This year's booth included a wonderful chalkware calico cat and a papier mache dog. David and Karen Metcalf, Edgewood Antiques, Greenville, S.C., had an amazing collection of hooked rugs suitable for hanging.

New dealers this year were Holder Antiques, Ltd, Asheboro, N.C., Cynthia Rankin Interiors and Antiques, Lincolnton, N.C., and Mary Whittemore Antiques, Dickerson, Md. Mary Jane Barr, Annapolis, Md., was a last minute fill in for J&M Antiques of East Amherst, N.Y., who was snow bound. All did well enough to request a contract for next year. Sue Ewald, Poolesville, Md., returned after an absence to sell estate jewelry, Baltimore silver and inimitable single pieces of furniture.

The gate hovered around 1,000, as in years past,but because those who come are serious, the show does well overall. "Most of the dealers left pleased," Sweeney concluded.

For information, bettiannesweeney@msn.com or call 757-220-1299. Next year will be the 25th anniversary year for both the show and the promoter.