It takes only seconds upon entering Elke Brockway’s spacious oceanfront home to understand why she lovingly refers to it as her private museum. But, while it would take many hours to even peruse the magnificent collection of European antiques and ancient world antiquities she has acquired over the years, she can quickly give you the history behind each piece.
Although it has been 10 years since her last exhibit at an antique show in Boston, Brockway, who previously earned a well-respected reputation at antique shows up north, will be showcasing some of her antiquities collection from Oct. 22 through Nov. 23 at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach.
When asked why now, she admitted that she would like to switch gears – or in this place centuries. She is hoping to sell the antiquities to begin collecting Art Deco works. Brockway said she is particularly attracted to the graceful movement of the women in Art Deco bronze sculptures, such as those by Demetre Chiparus.
“David Miller, who is an art appraiser, has known me for 25 years and had seen some of my set-ups at shows in the New York Armory and Palm Beach,” said Brockway, referencing the current president of the Gardens’ board of trustees. “When he found out that I wanted to sell my collection he asked me if I would be willing to do a one-man show at the Norton Sculpture Gardens. That’s how it came about. I went to see the house and I thought that it would be a great challenge.”
The 2.16 acre property is graced with many of the works of sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905 -1982), and is also home to her historic residence and studio. Ann Norton was the widow of Ralph Hubbard Norton (1881–1947), founder of the Norton Museum of Art.
“I think it’s going to be fun; I’m very much looking forward to the event,” said Brockway. “I’m excited about decorating the different rooms. I used to do antique shows in New York, Washington, Chicago and Boston, and the decorating part was what I always enjoyed most.”
It was while working as a flight attendant with Air France that Brockway first became fascinated with Persian pottery and rugs; perusing bazaars during layovers in Teheran. She began seriously acquiring pieces in the early 70s, and eventually became a dealer as well as a collector.
In sculpture, she is drawn by form – the beauty of the shape and facial expressions. With pottery the glaze, shape and colors are what first attract her attention.
“There are lots of different types of Persian pottery. What I personally prefer is the lusterware, which is an over-glazed painted pottery. The Gandharan blue is a very striking turquoise blue,” she explains.
The upcoming show, entitled ‘In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great,’ will take visitors along the route of ancient world empires – Roman, Greek, Persian and Chinese.
“We came up with the idea of Alexander, the Macedonian, because I have always kept Greek and Roman, Persian and Gandharan, and Chinese artifacts. I have always tried to keep these collections separate in my house. So I thought I could set up the three rooms according to the artifacts that I am going to bring,” she explains.
Roughly 100 pieces will be on exhibit, most dating to the first, second and third Centuries A.D, with some even earlier.
The living room will house the Classical era with Greek and Roman artifacts and mosaics. Highlights include an exceptional Greek Attic red figure bell krater, circa 370 B.C.; a Greek bronze Illyrian helmet circa 550-500 B.C.; a Roman marble bust of a youth with the name Glykon etched on the chest; a rare black Etruscan Bucchero ware chalice, circa seventh Century B.C.; and a graceful Canosan pottery vessel with an artistic polychrome design.
“Something splendid like this would not have been used in everyday life,” said Brockway of that piece. She is also bringing a number of Roman glass items, adding, “Romans were the first to invent glass blowing; only the wealthier people could afford to have a piece of blown glass.”
The dining room will be transformed into a diversified bazaar, with Persian and Gandharan pottery, artifacts and rugs, camel backs and salt bags, and some magnificent Bodhisattva and Buddha statuary. Also on display, although not for sale, will be her cherished first purchase – a lusterware pitcher from Kashan, embellished with figures, medallions and Kufic inscriptions.
“Alexander made it to the borders of China; not into China. But, as I have a lot of Chinese artifacts, I’m going to have a few in the third room,” says Brockway. Among those items are a set of six magnificent polo players atop galloping horses, a pair of beautifully green-glazed Ming Dynasty court attendants, a pair of ferocious Tang Dynasty soldiers and some Chinese paintings.
For a sneak peek closer to home, Coulter Designs on 14th Avenue in Vero’s art district will host a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 15 to display four of Brockway’s ancient mosaic pieces, which they have carefully cleaned to their original beauty and reset into concrete. The mosaics – a large Roman octagonal dining table, two smaller rectangular tables from Turkey’s Antioch area, and one curved Roman mosaic – will also be at the West Palm Beach show.
A permanent Vero Beach resident since 2000, Brockway has been particularly active on the social scene with local nonprofits, including Hibiscus Children’s Center, where she co-chaired last year’s Wine and Dine Event. She also generously sponsored tables at numerous events to benefit Childcare Resources, Homeless Family Center and Camp Haven, and says her next nonprofit focus will be to help veterans.
The opening reception at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 22. Exhibition tours are offered Wednesdays at 11 a.m. For more information, visit www.ansg.org or call 561-832-5328.
