International Art & Antiques Show Expands, Diversifies

New York City

:Continuing to grow and diversify its mix of dealers and luxury brands, Westchester Enterprises conducted its Spring International Art & Antiques Show over five days, from April 25 to 29, at the Park Avenue Armory. Exhibitors — the mix about one-third European and two-thirds American — numbered 35, hailing from England, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and various cities in the United States, although most were from New York City.

As in past years, the show was launched with a gala benefit preview benefiting the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House on Thursday evening preceding the show opening. Thirty-eight tables showcased both talent and thematic whimsy by international interior designers — everything from a "Magic Genie" theme created by Deborah Buck, utilizing decorative elements she sells at Buck House Antiques, to a fanciful "English Garden" wrought by designers at Noel Jeffrey.

Such confections were ephemeral, however, and the next day, the show floor was given over to commerce in antiquities — Seventeenth to Twenty-First Century European, American and Asian furniture, Oriental rugs, rare books and autographs, clocks, silver, globes, estate, antique and contemporary jewelry and fine art.

Early sculpture, textiles, drawings and furniture were the pleasing elements drawn together by Joanna Booth of London. A highlight was an Italian drawing from the Florentine School, circa 1580, a design for an elaborate urn with putto and vines. "We found that we had a lot of interest in our drawings and sold mostly Italian drawings of the Sixteenth to Eighteenth Centuries," said Booth. "Drawings are still very affordable and show a very intimate part of the way an artist works and are easy to place on walls. As usual, the New York public are refreshing in their enthusiasm for everything, and we are expecting follow-up sales. These days, no one seems to mind shipping goods back and forth across the 'pond.'"

Bill Rau of M.S. Rau Antiques, New Orleans, was back again this year, overseeing an eclectic grouping of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century English, French and American furnishings, decorative accessories and fine art, including a couple of Norman Rockwell (American, 1894–1978) oils on canvas, "In Safe Hands" and "The Baby Sitter." An interesting item was labeled "Minister's Surprise Chair" that was presented to the Reverend R.S. Wilson by his Castle Douglas Presbyterian Church on March 25, 1890. And what a surprise it was — when the back seat panel was slid upward to reveal a collection of Nineteenth Century pornography.

New York City dealer Marion Harris, who specializes in rare and unusual objects for collectors, observed that while the show did feel quiet at times, "There were buyers, some spending big numbers, emphasizing that there is no other antiques show venue with such potential in Manhattan." As a private dealer, Harris said she only has show venues. "I feel fortunate to have a small 'cult' following who find me at fairs and who found objects to add to their collections at this one," said Harris.

Items that sold included a 1940s Italian police whistle in the form of a police captain, desk items, including a group of letter openers in the form of lizards and snakes, and articulated mannequins ranging from 6-inch miniature ones to a large horse and rider.

Harris also showed a collection of Morton Bartlett photographs, eight black and white examples and four large color shots by one of America's most notable Twentieth Century outsider artists. Bartlett, who was born in 1903 and died in 1992, carved and dressed dolls and then took photographs of them in eerie, lifelike poses. Also on display in her booth was an unusual tilt top table in mahogany from England, circa 1880, with a finely carved scene of Noah's ark on the top.

Michael Pashby, who specializes in English furniture of the Seventeenth, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries, said he sold steadily throughout the fair, mainly to new customers, and sales were of both small and larger items. "Customers included collectors, decorators and a person furnishing a new home," he said. "The last afternoon was particularly successful and made the fair."

As usual these days, Pashby noted that most important is the follow-up interest in some important pieces "from people who needed time to consider their purchases."

Setting an elegant tone near the show's entrance as it has for the past six years were the elaborate portals, flanked by classical statues, leading to the opulent interiors that are the hallmark of Parisian dealer B.B. Steinitz. These faux chambres with their carved and gilded wood furniture, wood paneling, fireplace mantels and opulent lighting and accessories were highlighted by a French table from the Nineteenth Century by Guillaume Grohé, a pair of boulle cabinets, circa 1700s, and an over-the-top Nineteenth Century chandelier by Viardot of wood, bronze and glass with matching sconces.

Fine art was available from several exhibitors, including The Englishman Fine Art & Antiques, which has galleries in Beaver Creek, Colo., Surrey, England, Atlanta, Ga., and Naples, Fla. Director of US business Bradbury Ketelhut was ebullient, having sold a painting by Edouard Bisson (1856–1939) titled "The Love Letter" for $54,000. "We ended the show on a fairly strong note," said Ketelhut, "selling three paintings and one furniture item. It was a good show overall, with most of the real action taking place during the first two days of preview events."

Painted circa 1890, the 36-by-25-inch oil on canvas "The Love Letter" by Bisson depicted a seated young woman about to intercept a white dove in midflight as it carried a billet-doux . It was a fine example of the artist's ability to capture the beauty of women. Also on view in the dealer's booth was an oil on canvas by Nineteenth Century French artist Paul Seignac (1826-1904), a genre scene titled "The Motherly Reprimand," painted circa 1870 and measuring 34 by 30 inches framed.

FraMonT of Greenwich, Conn., showcased a Coney Island beach scene by Reginald Marsh, dated 1951, and a lithograph by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1891–1973) titled "Francoise 14 juin 46," among its lineup of Impressionist and Modern art from the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries.

Jewelry dealers at the show included top-shelf firms like Sabbadini, Hollis Reh & Shariff, Veronque Vamps and Larkspur & Hawk. The latter dealer from New York City was highlighting a gorgeous five-piece French parure, circa 1830, in its original box and a interesting piece, a Berlin Iron necklace from Germany, circa 1810. Dealer Emily Satloff explained that the Berlin Iron jewelry began in Germany during the Napoleonic wars as a means of raising money for the war effort — people surrendered their gold for iron.

Westchester Enterprises brings its Antiques & Art @ The Armory show back to the Park Avenue Armory from December 3 to 8. For information, www.antiquesandartatthearmory.com or 914-437-5983.