Gerry Wright from Rita Ford Music Boxes, New Providence, N.J., is shown here with a 1905 French automaton music box from the house of Vichy that portrays a man teasing his pig with a truffle.

Review and Photos by Carole Deutsch

WHIPPANY, N.J. — The holiday spirit was still going strong on January 2 and 3 at the Birchwood Manor “New Year’s” Antiques Show that provided the perfect setting to start a new year of collecting for enthusiasts. The elegant manor house was festively decorated and provided the ideal environment for high-end formal merchandise that was artfully displayed by dealers from across the United States. Exquisite presentations of fine art, period furnishings, sterling silver, jewelry from leading makers, porcelain and pottery, Oriental rugs and textiles and unusual collectibles, as well as an outstanding representation of crystal characterized the show.

It was billed as “The Best of the Past to Enjoy Today” by show promoter JMK shows, which has a loyal following of both collectors and exhibitors alike. Allison Kohler, daughter of JMK’s original founders, has expanded the firm’s schedule to encompass the area from the Eastern United States to the southern states and continues to add new venues to the company’s roster.

A steady stream of customers filed in throughout the event, which has been a regional favorite for many years. Due to the intimate atmosphere at Birchwood Manor attendees typically take their time and converse at length with the dealers who enjoy sharing their knowledge. Repair and appraisal services were offered, and many patrons took advantage of the opportunity supplied by art restorer Louis Pirrello of Branchville, N.J., to have their items professionally repaired while they waited. Appraisals were done onsite by White Orchid Antiques, which also presented one of the most popular booths.

Howard Roberts, co-owner of the Media, Penn., firm, has an uncanny knack for exhibiting fresh merchandise for every show. “I only have one thing in this display that I have shown in the past, ever,” he remarked. His booth was elegantly decorated with a formal dining room table laden with Austrian and other European crystal, with a Baccarat candelabra centerpiece. Other highlights from his booth included a Nineteenth Century heavy bronze lion motif French side chair and an attractive American Asian design small chest on stand, circa 1940. It was unusual in that the chinoiserie decoration was made with a reverse coloring approach, with the background being a deep, shady red and the image done in muted tones of gray.

Biuk Fardin, who specializes in Oriental rugs and fine hand-loomed textiles, is pictured with her collection of 1930s Caucasian, Turkish and Persian rugs from Fardin’s Antique Rugs, Easton, Conn.

Visitor fascination for the imaginative music boxes displayed by Rita Ford Music Boxes, New Providence, N.J., kept owner Gerry Wright busy throughout the show. Gerry is well regarded for his expertise in the genre and willingly shared his depth of knowledge on the subject with show attendees who enjoyed unusual examples of automata figural works. These included a “Narghile Hookah Smoker” made by Lambert, 1880–90. It still had the original Lambert key. The music box played two songs as the figure, created in porcelain bisque and dressed in traditional Moroccan attire, smoked a lit pipe that billowed white smoke as he alternately sipped tea.

Vintage Matters, Mount Bethel, Penn., presented collectible items that aroused the curiosity of showgoers. A 6-inch-long leather clog with iron banding on the sole, a copper baby’s shoe made by Gorham and a tiny leather Czechoslovakian boot were the topics of much discussion, as was a scroll-form case with pencil and eraser, marked “Sounderland Pencil Company, Keswic.”

A stunning presentation of art glass and fine crystal was offered by Memories Antiques, Dunellen, N.J. Their expansive display included a monumental 37-inch-tall aqua opalescent trumpet-form vase from Stourbridge, England, a pair of L.G. Wright “Daisy and Fern” cranberry opalescent glass hurricane lamps, a Hawkes hand-cut crystal punch bowl with 15 cups, and a 24¾-inch-tall crystal vase by J. Hoare, made in the Monarch pattern. The description noted, “largest example seen in this pattern.” Another shining star was an 1889 Moser, Austria, berry set that consisted of a master bowl and ten individual bowls that were made in hand-blown pink opalescent glass that was hand painted with a delicate gilt grapevine motif and applied gold feet, handles and trim.

A rare Japanese Sumida vase, circa 1900, by Inoue Ryosai was done in a drip glaze in colors of black, red and umber and portrayed an allover pattern of elephants in high relief. Marvin Baer of Ivory Tower, Ridgewood, N.J., stated that the 18-inch-tall piece is considered oversized for Sumida and they are few and far between.

Bill Union of Art and Antique Gallery, Worcester, Mass., brought an exceptional group of fine paintings. Bill is known for his excellent selection, but this show featured some heavy hitters, even by his high standards. An oil on canvas by Anton Doll (German, 1852–1896) depicted skaters and horse-drawn sleds on a frozen river with a steepled edifice in the immediate background at the river’s edge. “Recollections of Giverny,” signed Th. Robinson (American, 1852–1896), portrayed a wharf in the historic French village of Giverny situated on the River Seine, and “Francis,” a portrait by Luigi Lucioni (Italian American, 1900–1988), was featured in The Art and Life of Luigi Lucioni by Stuart P. Embury, Luigi Lucioni and D. Wigmore.

Al Conti from Vintage Matters, Mount Bethel, Penn., specializes in what he refers to as “not likely to ever find another one again” funk items. Show visitors like to crowd around his booth and offer their take on an item’s original purpose. Three small unusual shoes were the topic of interest. One was an 1850s leather clog about 6 inches long. It was extremely well made and could have been an early child’s shoe, except nobody could understand the significance of an iron rim that ran along the outside bottom edge of the shoe. “No one would put a kid in an iron-soled shoe,” exclaimed one man. Another stated, “Had to be a salesman’s sample.” “It’s so well made I think it was an apprentice’s work, commented another.” “Except it could have been worn,” came yet another insight…..but why the iron on the sole?” It was generally agreed that a second shoe, which was styled like that of a baby’s shoe and made in copper, signed Gorham, was likely a pincushion missing the interior. The third was a tiny little leather boot from Czechoslovakia and was probably a souvenir.

But then there was the matter of the 10-inch-long round tube that housed a pencil and eraser at each end. It was inscribed, “John Dodd, Bloxwich,” and marked Sounderland Pencil Company, Keswic (no “k”). Given the scroll shape of the tube it was thought by some to be a case for a diploma that would have been wrapped around the pencil. Conti said he believed it was just what it appeared to be, “the most interesting pencil case he had ever seen.”

The next JMK Show will be the Morristown Armory Antiques Show, Morristown, N.J., on February 27 and 28. For information, www.jmkshows.com or 201-213-2810.

Gallery

Horse lovers had much to appreciate at the booth of Peter Nee, Millwood, Va., where many examples of equine art could be found. Chief among them was a pair of Sheffield silver plaques that were done in high relief and depicted opposing portraits of thoroughbreds under tack. The 9-by-12-inch plaques from the early 1920s were identically framed and artist-signed.

Auerbach & Maffia, Montgomeryville, Penn., brought a collection of mid-Twentieth Century modern jewelry. It was Howard Auerbach’s and Ken Maffia’s first time at the show and they said they were impressed with the keen interest of the collectors and appreciated being able to share their 40 years worth of knowledge of the genre.

J&M Antiques, East Amherst, N.Y., specializes in antique lighting and period furniture. Their showcase item was a rare double posted table lamp from 1878 that had a matched pair of pigeon blood shades incised with gold decorations. The Twentieth Century oil painting, signed D. Taylor, depicts an American ship flying the national flag.

Cool Home Consignment, Morristown, N.J., showed a collection of Steiff toys that included a 30-inch-tall “Sheddy” rocking horse, a mama kangaroo complete with a little baby “joey” in her pouch and a pleasing “Paddy” walrus pajama bag.

The majority of items shown by Bernie Krauss, West Orange, N.J., were very early, some ancient. The Delft ginger jar at the center of the image was dated 1750s. A vanity mirror made of burl wood and marquetry veneer was made in Austria, circa 1790.

Xiao Lin Hopkins from XLH Designs, Westwood, N.J., describes her work as “yesterday’s jewelry.” She uses antique material from the 1920s to design new settings and original creations, using coral, turquoise, moonstone, amber and Peking and Czechoslovakian glass.

A mid-Twentieth Century carved and faceted labradorite necklace was featured at the booth of Brad & Vandy Reh Fine Jewelry, New Canaan, Conn.

This 1840s Chinese Rose Mandarin chestnut basket, complete with bottom plate, was a highlight at the booth of Mahjongg Antiques, Springfield, Va. Proprietor Donald Ourecky, who specializes in Chinese and Japanese export items, stated that it was a very rare find and one that he had not seen in his 52 years of collecting.

A Nineteenth Century heavy bronze lion motif French side chair is shown next to an American Asian design small chest on stand, circa 1940, displayed by White Orchid Antiques & Appraisals, Media, Penn. Owner Howard Roberts noted that apartment-sized furniture has become a popular sale item.

Bill Union of Art and Antique Gallery, Worcester, Mass., brought a group of paintings that included this oil on canvas by Anton Doll (German, 1852–1896) that depicts skaters and horse-drawn sleds on a frozen river in Germany.

Sterling silver, in active, inactive and obsolete patterns, was presented by Seymour’s, Denton, Md. These Kirk repoussé patterns of Castle and Rose are from the 1880s.

Peter Piper Antiques, Arlington, Va., showed this antique Kashan rug from 1880 that was an unusual 42 inches wide by 12½ feet in length. It was in very good condition, and the all original natural dyes were still richly colored with no signs of fading.

Textiles and treasure baskets were presented by Lao Design, Ltd, New York City and Vientiane, Laos. The baskets, from 1900 to 1920, were made from rattan indigenous to the local forests near villages in the northern part of Laos. Each tribe had its own pattern and symbols for the handmade baskets that were used to hide or bury the family treasure.

Among a presentation of art glass and crystal by Memories Antiques, Dunellen, N.J., was this pair of L.G. Wright “Daisy and Fern” cranberry opalescent glass hurricane lamps that were displayed on either side of a monumental 37-inch-tall aqua opalescent trumpet-form vase, Stourbridge, England. The vase centered just below was an example of Steuben Celeste Blue.

A standout item at the booth of Peter S. Broda, Wilkes Barre, Penn., was a Twentieth Century Korean scroll chest. The piece had a warm hand-rubbed finish and had original brasses. The front sliding doors flip out to create a wide opening accessing a deep open interior where the scrolls were stored.