Old Woodshed Antiques, Patrick Murray, Brick, N.J.
Review & Onsite Photos by Andrea Valluzzo
DANIELSON, CONN. — The 32nd edition of the Country Antiques In Connecticut’s Quiet Corner show transformed the halls and gym space at the H. H. Ellis Technical High School into a dazzling array of colorful quilts, hooked rugs and other textiles, paint-decorated furniture, primitives and fine wooden objects. Quiet initially as it was a weekend, the school was bustling with activity once the show opened its doors the morning of March 28.
Showrunner Jan Praytor filled the school with the wares of more than 50 dealers from up and down the East Coast, which hundreds of buyers eagerly queued up for ahead of early buying at 9 am and the regular opening an hour later. “As far as numbers go, this year was typical for us: 54 awesome upscale country dealers and a little over 600 savvy buyers,” Praytor said. “And they do buy! Those who come back year after year are never disappointed, and the new ones are blown away by the quality. The dealers, who always bring their best, were happy with the sales. It’s a winning combination!”
Among the dealers pleased with their results were Marty and Kathyann Weber. They sold several items, including a very nice and large salmon-painted wooden bowl found in Lancaster County, Penn., a Native American Woodlands painted basket, a New York State black ash table basket, as well as other small items. “The piece that attracted the most attention was our Nineteenth Century stepback pie safe with 20 hand-punched tins and original surface, which reportedly hails from Kentucky,” the couple shared after the show.
Martin and Kathyann Weber Antiques, Middletown. N.Y.
Veteran dealers Dan and Karen Olson were happy with their sales and also managed to multitask and buy a few things while exhibiting. “The show attracted a large and interested audience, and it seems many dealers had a good show,” the couple said in a followup email after the show. “We sold a pie safe cupboard in original green paint, a stepback bucket bench in original red paint, a small slant-lid chest with drawer of possible Shaker origin and a small late Nineteenth Century two-door hanging cupboard in original salmon paint. Small decorative objects sold included painted woodenware, a Nineteenth Century cheese cradle, children’s verse mugs, an early floral theorem still life, decorated stoneware and a pair of knife blade andirons.”
Rona Andrews also finished off the show by packing far less than she came in with. “This was my best show in Danielson,” she reported. Wallpaper boxes sold well, including one labeled as a rare Roger Bacon box, she told us, and other sales included rare Eighteenth Century glass, miniature lighting and a miniature sampler, along with a deaccessioned Old Deerfield textile and painted bowls. “The buyers were very interested in early, rare and one-of-a-kind pieces,” Andrews added. “This is a very well attended show. Anyone interested in acquiring great country antiques shouldn’t miss it!”
David and Bonnie Ferriss returned to the show after many years away and said they will definitely be back as exhibitors next year. “We had a very nice show — very good things (mostly country) were selling for us, and there was a great crowd that knew what they were looking for! Everyone helping with the show is wonderful,” Bonnie Ferriss said.
For more information, www.countryantiqueshow.com.
