Visitors arriving at the Holliston Antiques Show on February 25′6 were greeted by the sight of satisfied shoppers leaving the building laden with shopping bags and other pleased buyers loading larger purchases into the backs of cars and vans. Still others were streaming into the show, which is a reliable bright spot each February. This year’s event was exceptionally well attended.
Some 125 dealers brought along much to tempt the eager buyers, who jammed the Holliston High School gymnasium for the 37th year. Satisfied shoppers made for satisfied dealers, and the mood was ebullient.
Just past the admission gate, Chelsea Hill Antiques, Hampton, Conn., showed formal and country furniture and a good sale was being wrapped up. Tom and Dorine Nagy showed a tall case clock with a nicely painted dial, a group of portraits and still lifes, an American Empire bibliotheque in the French style and a horde of appealing accessories.
Across the walkway was Stephen Moss Antiques and Accents of Marstons Mills, Mass., who brought some interesting smalls and ceramics and a dandy crown-of-thorns picture frame. Moss said he was having “a wonderful show.”
For Rehoboth, Mass., dealer Dianne Freed, who operates as New England Seasons, her best stuff went quickly. She specializes in repurposed objects, such as old clock cases painted white and filled with greenery, a chicken crate that is now a coffee table, chests, ceramics and some nice wicker furniture.
Dottie and Cuto came from Wentworth, N.H., and filled their booth with a nice group of oil lamps, including an angle lamp, gas lamps, a wide array of milk glass, Staffordshire plates, pewter and glass. Early in the show, they were “off to a good start.”
William R. Hammond Antiques of Holliston showed a royal purple velvet recamier, yellowware and some fine Federal furniture, which is the specialty of the house. A Queen Anne lowboy had already sold, but some nice Federal chests were still for sale, along with Federal chairs, several mirrors and stands.
Ferguson and D’Arruda of Providence, R.I., had plenty of blue Fitzhugh porcelain, a Maine maple settee, tea boxes from Hong Kong and a large and beautifully decorated tin coffee box from Thomas Wood of Boston. A good pair of beckets with some carving was set out next to an old globe and a Native American weaving. Brian Ferguson and John D’Arruda said they were having a good show. Their Tiverton, R.I., antiques show is July 4.
One Call Organizer of Wayland, Mass., is operated by Bette Ann Weiner, who attracted no small interest with a selection of taxidermy birds, a nice Art Deco dresser set, two figural alabaster lamps and a slag glass floor lamp. The piece de resistance was an English hoof inkwell from eminent London taxidermist Roland Ward of Piccadilly.
John Prunier of Warren, Mass., specializes in Twentieth Century design. He had a small bronze bear cub, circa 1910, by Anna Hyatt Huntington that was from a Gorham casting of 138. Of interest was a Chinese Export white bisque duck and a cast iron hand iron with hearts and other decorative elements. Prunier said he thought it could be German in origin.
Paul and Chris DeSimone of Pepperell, Mass., filled a cupboard with stoneware crocks and bottles, postcards and other smalls and offered other pieces that made for a very busy booth.
Moonstone Antiques of Mansfield, Mass., is a reliable resource of fine jewelry and Native American arts. Activity was exceptional in the booth.
Salts “are going crazy,” said Bill Thomas of William Thomas Antiques of Baltimore, Md. He was right †his buyers loved the ones of all colors and shapes that he had for sale. He also showed buttons and pins that also drew sales. Several other dealers commented that they, too, experienced a run on salts.
Village Antiques of Weedsport, N.Y., was back for the second year, filling a booth with highly appealing Staffordshire dogs, baskets, metal ware and ceramics that drew a lively spending crowd.
Richard Decker of Longmeadow Antiques, Monson, Mass., had a fine blanket chest, a stand with turned legs, a set of thumb back Windsor chairs and a selection of yellow Quimper ware that appealed to buyers.
A striking selection of necklaces dominated the booth of Kathy and Bob Johnson of South Bethlehem, N.Y. Business was brisk with good trade of ruby glass, Tiffin glass, Fire King and Rosenthal †as well as an array of jewelry.
Camille Buda and Matt King of Marshfield, Mass., showed amethyst glass, baskets and good woodware. Concluding the sale of a cupboard that had come from a Vermont post office, nicely carved and replete with cubbies and drawers, King noted as he packed it up that the cubbies are the perfect size for wine bottles.
The Linen Lady, West Brookfield, Mass., that is run by Babs Martell, is a magnet for buyers with the vintage linens for sale. Sales were brisk, but she had brought along an extra surprise. Tucked away amid the old linens and lace was a group of 78 records, including two cased examples from Nippon Columbia Ltd/Teichiku Japan in the original paper sleeves.
Industrial shabby chic is the trademark of the Vintage Cod, Westfield, Mass. Business was brisk as shoppers grabbed up the attractive garden tools and smalls, mostly in white paint, among which were mixed with fresh white tulips †quintessential trade stimulators.
Bill Neylon operates Village Green Antiques in Barre, Mass. He showed a sturdy podium from the nearby Petersham, Mass., Grange hall, an 1890 hose reel that was painted gaily and the star †a circa 1910 Irish Mail Push/Pull cart. A life-size resin black angus bull attracted attention, but no one took him home, so far.
Two English terracotta chimney pots attracted significant interest in the booth of Alan Seymour, Natick, Mass. One was a King’s crown example, the other a Queen’s crown. Other enticing objects included a painted basket and a similarly decorated bird cage.
It was hard to miss the large Baccarat vase offered by Manchester, N.H., dealer Martin Krall. The vase was made in the 1950s or 1960s and was about 20 inches tall. Krall also showed jewelry, silver and pewter.
Ten Mile Antiques of Attleboro, Mass., filled an entire case with porcelain dogs that caused buyers to cluster around to make selections. Candleglow Antiques of Holliston featured a framed elaborate hairwork.
Antiques of Hingham had a large Steiff Studio donkey on wheels, a good selection of vintage toy fire trucks, textiles in the way of quilts, stoneware, lanterns, ceramics and furniture.
For information, 315-686-5789 or www.AllmanPromotions.com .
