The last of the shows to open during Vermont Antiques Week, the 27th annual Antiques in Vermont show, is also the largest of the bunch. Under the management of Tim and Phyllis Stevenson, the show takes place at the light and airy Riley Rink at Hunter Park, just a short drive south from Bromley.
Taking place on October 2, the Stevensons packed 77 dealers into the ice rink and virtually every exhibitor specializes in Americana to some degree. Several high-end dealers are on the floor, and to keep things interesting, several dealers that do not participate in many of the regional shows are also exhibiting. Exhibitors hail from 16 different states, adding a great deal of diversity and opportunity.
Early buying for the show starts at 8 am, and the line to gain entrance begins forming quite a while prior to that. A large lobby at the ice rink provides an excellent waiting area for showgoers, and as usual, it was overflowing with customers when Tim Stevenson swung the doors open to the public.
In typical fashion, buyers rushed onto the floor, and sales seemed to be fast and furious all around the show. Buyers were greeted by Bob Snyder and Judy Wilson, where folk art ruled the day. A large sign for “tourists,” with vibrant black and red outlined letters, was positioned near a pair of monumental scissors, a pair of seated Labrador dog andirons, cast iron banks in great paint and a selection of doorstops.
In the booth next door, Holden Antiques, the selection of folk art continued with weathervanes, treen and naïve carvings, but it was the selection of early American glass that was a standout. Large etched flip glasses were plentiful, as was the selection of free blown bowls, chestnut bottles and witch balls.
Pennsylvania dealers Raccoon Creek offered a stunning kitchen cupboard in a vibrant lipstick red paint. A huge mushroom-shaped covered Indian basket and a wonderful carving of a horse were displayed on top.
“Smitty” Axtell had a host of great smalls displayed, including a small sweetheart of a footstool in strong yellow paint, with heart and tulip decoration on the top. A carving of three songbirds mounted on a branch was displayed atop the stool, decorated in bright red, blue and yellow paint.
Josh and Mary Steenburgh displayed a quilt that was the talk of the floor, decorated with a repeating pattern of an early yellow painted home in each of the squares. A large wooden English setter lawn ornament was standing guard in the booth, watching over an assortment of Native American pottery, carved animals and early glassware. Also attracting attention was an unusual pair of midcentury swivel chairs in a polka-dot pattern.
Another quilt that was attracting attention was seen at Wilhide’s Antiques, a brilliant appliqué example with large red, yellow and green eagles and tulips against the white background. Also seen in the booth was a grain painted writing box, a large hide covered horse pull toy, colorful stick-spatter plates and a selection of hooked rugs.
Another standout was an appliqué quilt displayed by Latcham House Antiques. In bright reds, greens, orange and yellow, the quilt had tulip blossoms around the exterior with four large tulip plants emanating from the center. The brightly colored quilt provided an excellent backdrop for a comb back Windsor armchair, an early ladder back armchair and a spider-leg candlestand.
Doug Ramsay featured a couple of sheet metal weathervanes, including a neat example depicting a car at a filling station vane complete with an attendant with the hose and nozzle in his hand. A nice pair of early bellows in bright red paint with yellow, blue and green floral decoration was offered, along with a selection of early tin sconces.
A good selection of metalware was seen in various booths, including a stellar assortment of silver at Robert Lloyd’s that ranged from Eighteenth Century ladles to Twentieth Century trays and a large assortment of pewter at Ron Chambers’ that included chalices and coffeepots.
Steven Still offered a nice tall case clock with a folky painted dial and red and black grain painted case. The dealer also featured a cupboard with several prime examples of mocha ranging from a couple of mugs and bowls to a scrottle decorated pepper pot.
For further information, 802-236-2342.
