VERO BEACH — Savvy collectors always take delight in attending the Vero Beach Museum of Art Antiques Show and Sale, which features the crème de la crème of the nation’s antique dealers.
The Antique Show continues through Sunday; $10 admission includes re-entry.
At the Preview Party Thursday evening, the day-long rain had thankfully abated by the time guests gathered to visit with vendors, relishing the advance opportunity to view the exceptional antiques and collectibles in a leisurely fashion while enjoying cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.
The 37 dealers, among the most prestigious in the country, once again positioned and lit their displays for optimum visibility, recognizing that the enduring show continues to attract educated patrons of fine arts, whose knowledge of antiques can sometimes rival their own.
The stunning high quality pieces included a diverse selection of formal period furnishings, fine art, estate jewelry, china and porcelain, silverware, glassware and decorative glass pieces, clocks, Oriental rugs, folk art and a host of other 18th and 19th Century Americana.
From certified antiques (for IRS purposes, 100 years earlier than the date of the event) to vintage and collectibles (less than 100 years old), dealers all present their best.
“This is the first time that we have a number of new vendors at the show, brought on by retirement,” said Show Manager Charles Miller of the North Carolina based Miller Hamilton Company.
The show has been so popular with vendors that turnover has traditionally been low, but this year there were eight new dealers to replace those who had retired, or in one case passed away.
“They always say that antique dealers never quit the business,” added Miller.
“One of our longest standing dealers, Catherine Stevens, passed away. She started with the show 22 years ago and has been in the same location for the last decade. Her daughter and son-in-law have stepped into the show.”
Seasonal Vero Beach residents Joni Lima and Joe Spaider, owners of Maine-based Iron Renaissance, are among the show’s many steadfast dealers.
“I’ve been here since the first show; from the very first year,” said Lima, adding that Iron Renaissance was celebrating its 30th anniversary selling vintage American furniture.
“I specialize in patio furniture made out of zinc. It doesn’t rust and doesn’t get hot in the sun.”
Mrs. Ernest Hazel was once again the show’s generous Patron Sponsor.
Mackie Duch and Susan Smith are co-chairs of the weekend-long event, assisted by an enthusiastic committee of Friends volunteers, and Jacqueline Malloy and Dhuanne Tansill co-chaired Thursday’s Cocktails and Appraisals Preview Party.
In another popular aspect of the weekend show, Miller offers appraisals on items, and each year people eagerly line up carrying cherished possessions, hoping that he will surprise them with good news about the worth of their prized family heirlooms.
An appraisal aspect was added to this year’s Preview Party as well, with guests entitled to have one piece of jewelry appraised by Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.
“I brought something I’ve never had appraised; I got it from my mother,” said Tansill of a lovely bracelet while waiting as others had their sparkling pieces evaluated.
“There have been some really nice pieces; beautiful pieces, and happy reactions,” said Julie Parker of the Palm Beach and Chicago based company.
Proceeds from the show benefit the Vero Beach Museum of Art’s numerous education programs.