Review And Photos By Greg Smith
KATONAH, N.Y. — Visitors flocked to the Bedford Spring Antiques Show as it celebrated its 24th year during its most recent edition, April 2–3, at the Harvey School. The show brought together 23 dealers for an exhibition that show manager Kathy Abbott called “young and traditional,” adding, “We keep it well edited. Our dealers apply a New Age sensibility to antiques.”
Show manager Kathy Abbott stands with Pastor Terry Elsberry of St Matthews Church in Bedford, N.Y. The show benefits the church’s community outreach.
The majority of dealers hailed from Connecticut and New York, but others traveled from throughout New England and as far as Ohio. In line with Abbott’s mission, the show featured a mix of American and European fine art, traditional furniture, ceramics, Asian arts, textiles, Midcentury Modern, prints, jewelry, Twentieth Century decorative arts, Americana and more.
“The show did well,” said Abbott. “I’m getting feedback from dealers who are still getting sales postshow.”
Zane Moss Antiques, Sharon, Conn., had a bright display of English furniture mixed with Continental fine and decorative arts. Placed among the tabletops were three Nineteenth Century Bewlay covered jars with gilt labels. Moss, a distinguished dealer in Staffordshire, also had an entrancing display of ceramic and porcelain animals that welcomed visitors as they entered the show.
Roberto Freitas, Stonington, Conn., had an elegant display of fine American furniture amid high-profile paintings by Andrew Wyeth, Alfred Thompson Bricher, John Singer Sargent, Maurice Prendergast and more. A fine Chippendale mahogany bonnet top chest on chest sat center stage, made in Connecticut circa 1765–75.
An eclectic mix of Americana and fine art could be found at Debbie Turi Antiques, Roseland, N.J.
Freitas said, “I had a fabulous show.” He reported sales of an Eric Sloane and a Frederick Waugh painting to collectors he had never met before, adding, “I made good clients.”
Brad Reh Fine Estate Jewelry, New Canaan, Conn., has been exhibiting at the show for 15 years. He lined his cases with diamond and gold jewelry from Cartier, David Webb, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co. and plenty of other high-end designers.
“We had strong sales,” Reh said. “We sold a pair of invisibly set sapphire and diamond earrings, a pearl and diamond necklace, a great gold and diamond bracelet among other pieces.”
While his sales were split between old and new clients, Reh was excited about the demographic that turned out to the show. “I saw more young people walking this show than I have seen in recent memory. That’s what we’re all looking for, the holy grail, we really saw a ton of people in that right age group,” he said.
A Modernist booth with traditional sensibility was put together by Peter Nee Antiques, Upperville, Mass.
Jaffe & Thurston, Wawarsing, N.Y., exhibited an eclectic mix of fine art, Chinese porcelain, English ceramics and a Charles Curran oil on canvas titled “Clouds Over a Mountain,” depicting a scene near the artist’s summer home in Cragsmoor, N.Y.
New dealers to the show included Peter Nee Antiques, Upperville, Va.; Clover, Bedford, N.Y.; Adorn Antiques, New York City; and Martin J. Ferrick Antiques, Lincolnville, Maine.
Also a newcomer was Cottage + Camp, Philadelphia, which brought an eclectic mix of Midcentury Modern, Americana and country. Front and center was a Quan Yin woodcarving, circa 1920s, featuring handsome original paint next to a pair of Midcentury Modern end tables, with trade signs and fine art hung on the walls.
Martin J. Ferrick Antiques showed a selection of paintings amid early American furniture, most of which had vivid and detailed wood grain. Displayed in the middle of his booth was a New England Hepplewhite drop leaf table with tiger maple top on cherry legs. Behind it, on the wall, hung a Eugene Vail oil on canvas; the artist was a student of William Merritt Chase.
Newcomer to the show, Clover of Bedford, N.Y., brought with it a stylish booth of Midcentury Modern and Twentieth Century.
Ferrick said, “It was a good-quality show, the other exhibitors had nice material and diversity. I had a fair number of small sales: accessories, paintings and prints.”
Framont, Greenwich, Conn., hosted an exhibition of fine art alongside traditional folk pieces, including a carved wood dolphin. The artworks spanned the abstract to the figural, incorporating works by Ernest Acker-Gherardino and James Hilleary next to more traditional still life paintings and harbor scenes.
The show is one of the largest fundraisers of the year for St Matthews Church in Bedford. Pastor Terry Elsberry was on hand at the preview party and noted that the funds are well placed toward community efforts throughout the year.
For additional information, www.stmatthewsbedford.org or 914-234-9636.
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