Twice each month from November through March, Cindy and Don Willis gather about 25 dealers to exhibit for the Montpelier Antiques Market at the local Elks Country Club. November 14 was the date for the most recent show. It is not fancy, but there are great small things that can be found †in most cases, for the first time out.
Susan Walter has been a big supporter of this show since its inception two years ago, exhibiting regularly. Her stock included a miniature oil on board by Louise Kemp, a listed artist from Woodstock, N.Y., that was priced at $895.
Celine Blais was showing several containers of small antiques brought in from her home in town. Attracting a good deal of attention were two Bennington cuspidors. Sharing the space was George Johnson, a transplant from New York to Montpelier, who had a late Nineteenth Century Western saddle for sale. In his showcase were many important pieces, including a very small textile art needlepoint with a Currier & Ives scene, priced at under $50.
There was also an early McClellan saddle; these were used by the military with many slots for hanging or attaching military gear when necessary. Offered by Bill Worthen of Burlington, it was in very good condition.
There were selections of furniture offered, including a collection of five step back Windsor side chairs from Ralph Wright of Haverhill, N.H.
Interesting things came to this show, not just the everyday antiques. Chauncey Wallace, a Burlington dealer, was offering a line-throwing cannon. Its purpose was to shoot a “nut,” which had a rope or line attached to it, to another ship in distress or needing a tow back to port. Decoys were made from canvas and collapsible for easy transport in the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries. Lee Brook from Woodbury, Vt., had one for $50, which was in excellent condition except for a few stains.
Dave Scheer brought a selection of out-of-production live ammunition for old cartridge long guns. He has a larger inventory at his Waterbury shop, but this was enough for any hunter’s needs this deer season.
Don Willis is a self-described picker, native to Vermont now living in St Johnsbury with his wife and children. He and Cindy began the show as a Vermont outlet for themselves and a couple dozen friends two years ago. Willis offered a large collection of small antiques as well. This month he had a selection of early wooden sap buckets, decoys, lighting and primitive tools.
This twice monthly gathering usually sells out of exhibit space, with a large gathering of shoppers perusing the tables and boxes overflowing with the collections. The date pattern is the second and fourth Sunday, from 7:30 am until noon. For information, www.montpelierantiquesmarket.com or 802-751-6138.
