Debbie Turi is both a show dealer and promoter and is pictured here at her booth, Debbie Turi Antiques, Roseland, N.J., which she describes as eclectic.

Review and Photos By Carole Deutsch

CEDAR GROVE, N.J. — The Spring Antiques Expo Antiques Show opened for the first time March 19–20. The brand-new show, hosted by Debbie Turi Antique Shows, was held at the facility commonly remembered as Meadowbrook, located just a half hour from New York City.

In its prime, back in the big band era from 1931 to 1949, the venue was a nightclub and dancehall that was celebrated as a national sensation and known as Frank Dailey’s Meadowbrook. Over the years the nostalgic fondness for Meadowbrook has remained and 30 dealers from Maine to Florida gathered to sell their merchandise that represented an elite collection of formal antiques as well as early folk art. The many genres on offer included fine art, jewelry, country and period furniture, Oriental rugs, textiles, porcelain and pottery and unusual collectibles.

Debbie Turi is a veteran antiques show dealer of more than 20 years who became involved in show promotion about four years ago. She is known for her boutique antiques shows that specialize in diversity and style. This show underscored that objective and was well received by both dealers and customers. “I believe I have succeeded,” Debbie said. “I am getting good feedback from dealers and there has been a steady stream of customers all day long.” Dealers made special note of the show attendees’ enthusiasm.

The booth of Nicoll Fine Art & Antiques, Mount Dora, Fla., was highlighted by this oil on canvas by the renowned French artist Julien Dupré (1851–1910).

Upon entering the show, the first booth, Zaldivar Fine Antiques and Designs, Little Falls, N.J., had a stunning representation of high end formal antiques, and just around the corner was an enticing display of vintage iron plant hangers and gardening accessories, presented by Antiques from Home, Frederick, Md. Owner Judith Lesser writes “Archives of American Garden” online for the Smithsonian. Her knowledge of antiques combined with her experience as an organic gardener resulted in an offering of many items of interest just in time for the spring gardening season.

Joan Goodman’s booth, Jetiques, Hardwick, N.J., created a stir with some unusual items. One captivating piece was a large metal property sign, circa 1883, with cutout letters that spelled “Dunmere.” The sign was decorated with floral scroll embellishments and had at one time belonged to Robert G. Dun of Dun and Bradstreet fame. The sign represented his oceanfront summer home in Narragansett, R.I., where he lived until the time of his death. Joan also had an early 1900s wooden stagecoach box with a lift-off lid and inner compartments.

An unusual selection of circa 1860 potichomania blown glass balls was found at West Pelham Antiques, Pelham, Mass. The imitation porcelain comprises a series of paper cutouts and decals against a whitewashed background under glass. “Potichomania balls were the products of a domestic ladies craft project that was popular in America and England,” says dealer Michael Weinberg. “It was the ‘paint by numbers’ craft of its day.” There is no end to the number of topics, and the balls ranged in size from 3 to 9 inches.

Joan Goodman, Jetiques, Hardwick, N.J., holds an early 1900s wooden stagecoach box with a lift-off lid and inner compartments. Despite its rustic use, it was decorated with an all-around stenciled floral motif.

A wide range of costume jewelry from leading designers was presented by Brentiques, Paramus, N.J. Important pieces by Alexis Kirk, Hobe and Les Bernard were just some of the objects of interest at her booth, which also included fine porcelains and china by R.S. Prussia, Limoges, Lenox, Moser, Staffordshire, Nippon and much more.

Marianne Stikas, New York City, brought a Nineteenth Century penny farthing bicycle, which hung on the wall of the booth next to a large 1930s purple martin birdhouse. The six-compartment house had a wood shingle roof with an imposing ball and spire finial, sure to attract even the most discriminating purple martin, bird watcher or collectible antiques enthusiast.

Outstanding fine art could be found at the booth of Nicoll Fine Art and Antiques, Mount Dora, Fla. One of its central pieces was an oil on canvas by Julien Dupré (French, 1851–1910). It depicted cows in a pasture with a milkmaid in the foreground and was framed in an elaborate gilt frame. The painting was classic to the work of the world-renown artist, who celebrated the life of the peasant and painted scenes in the areas of Normandy and Brittany.

Gardner Burke Antiques, Washington, D.C., and Naples, Fla., brought a fine collection of Limoges and Belleek.

Turi’s next show will be the Bedford (N.Y.) Antiques Show in November at Historic Hall. For more information, www.dturiantiqueshows.com or 973-464-9793.