Now in its 42nd year, the Guilford Antiques Show continues to please. Smart and snappy in appearance, the show, a benefit for Guilford’s Hyland House, was conducted February 26 and 27.
Managed by Frank Gaglio, Barn Star Productions, the show has developed into one that is well known for its selection of Americana. With 50 dealers, the show is the perfect size for the facility, filling a gymnasium, auditorium, hallways and alcoves with quality antiques. Merchandise ranges from jewelry that is displayed in a couple of booths to American furniture and accessories in most of the others, while a smattering of paintings, maps and pottery are also offered.
Middletown, Conn., dealer Joe Collins got his show off to a good start with the sale of a large carved wooden pilothouse eagle. Shortly after opening, the dealer reported other sales, including a tall case clock, a Shaker box and a courting mirror.
Dealers travel from afar to take part in the show, including Lisa McAllister, Clear Springs, Md., who displayed a variety of merchandise ranging from a nice set of ladder back chairs in an old apple green paint to a bucket bench stacked with blue decorated stoneware and a weathered wooden weathervane in the form of a fish. The dealer was busy with clients as the show opened, with a Masonic shelf from her booth finding a new home, as did a large and usual piece of Rockingham. Known for her stellar section of yellowware, and having authored a couple books on the subject, her selection of molds and pitchers was also attracting attention.
One of the highlights of the show was a large architectural gem in the booth of Ashford, Conn., dealer Richmond House. A wonderful Eighteenth Century wall featured vertical panels running across the room, horizontal panels above the cutout for a fireplace and a chimney cabinet symmetrically repeating the vertical paneling on the side of the firebox.
The booth was rounded out with a nice early tap table, a two-drawer blanket chest, wall cabinets and a selection of Eighteenth Century chairs.
Local dealers were also on hand for the show, with Madison, Conn., dealer Kirtland Crump offering a diverse selection of clocks that included a tall case example, banjo clocks, regulators and shelf clocks. Another exhibitor that did not have far to travel was Old Lyme, Conn., dealer Jeff Cooley. A stellar presentation of middle to upper-end works were available from the booth. Some of the local scenes included a selection of four small landscapes by Edward Volkert.
Decorated pearlware and other soft paste pottery pieces, including mocha, were on display at Lawrence and DeLia, Little Compton, R.I. The dealers commented that they were downsizing their collection and had some prime examples on display, including several pieces of roseware. James DeLia was also quick to point out the book he had co-authored on the subject and the copies that were available.
Richard “Smitty” Axtell was on hand with a stellar-looking display filled to the brim with quality early American smalls. A bright yellow tin sign with raised lettering in blue boldly proclaimed “Lunch” from the rear of the booth. It was marked sold shortly after opening, along with a host of items from his display cases.
Dark Moon Antiques, Johnsonburg, N.J., featured a good selection of Americana ranging from an attractive wooden figure of Uncle Sam to a painted sheet metal Gabriel weathervane. A nice Chippendale four-drawer chest was getting looks from customers, as was a Windsor armchair in old black paint.
Richard Vandall, Canaan, N.H., was on hand with his varied assortment of merchandise that included eclectic smalls, Stevengraphs and Arts and Crafts furniture and accessories. Doing business as American Decorative Arts, the dealer was busy with customers throughout opening day.
Hyland House is a Guilford museum of colonial life. For information, www.hylandhouse.org or Barn Star Productions at www.barnstar.com or 914-474-8552.
