The Vero Beach Museum of Art’s annual Antiques Show and Sale always gives new meaning to the concept of doing a little antiquing. The enduring weekend-long event, now in its 23rd year, lures some of the industry’s most prominent vendors who relish with mutual admiration the erudite crowd of collectors and antique lovers who come to shop – or dream of being able to.
At the Preview Party last Thursday evening, guests in the know had paid a little extra for an advance opportunity to view the exceptional offerings in a leisurely fashion while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from Catering by Adrienne Drew. An exclusive jewelry appraisal opportunity enabled guests to also have private tête-à-têtes with experts from Chicago’s Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.
“I keep hearing over and over from the vendors how thrilled they are to be here,” said Trudie See, who co-chaired the event with Lina Sullivan. “People here get it; they’re culturally and merchandise-wise very savvy about what’s here. There’s a sophistication and cultural appreciation that exists in this community that makes it particularly interesting to the vendors. The explanation part of their job is minimal by comparison to other events nationwide.”
The 38 dealers, whose splendid works 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, occasionally also showed off their playful side with a few whimsical touches.
“Look what I got for the dogs,” said Pinky Regan, referencing two oriental carpets in the shape of dog bones. Well, not really FOR the dogs, explained husband Bill. “Each of our daughters have two dogs, so we bought two; one for each house. They’re going to love them.”
Show Manager Charles Miller of the North Carolina-based Miller Hamilton Co., pointed out that although the show has always featured fine art and jewelry as well as antiques, that fact is now emphasized through new branding in the show’s literature.
“We’ve also inserted modernism into the show with most but not all of the vendors. We know it’s a traditional market,” said Miller. “But we’ve got younger people who are buying materially different pieces than their parents’ generation.”
Indicating the large selection of rugs offered by Dana Kelly Oriental Rugs, Miller pointed to a lovely solid blue modernist rug saying, “They take a traditional pattern and put it into a contemporary pallet and design. It’s not as subdued. Single colors and lighter colors are the trend right now.”
“I’m having a hard time getting through to greet all the vendors because I can’t stop shopping. I have mentally spent at least $25,000,” laughed See at the Preview Party. “I think the selections at this show are unusually sparkling. I don’t mean that the other shows weren’t great, because they were, but that there’s a sort of effervescence. If this isn’t a roaring success I’d be surprised.”
As an added bonus, the show included an exhibition of Canton Chinese export porcelain on loan from the collection of Gail and Rich Mellin. Over the weekend, there was also an array of antique and vintage vehicles on display, compliments of the Antique Auto Club of Indian River. And visitors once again lined up to have Miller appraise their prized possessions, hoping to learn the monetary value of sentimental heirlooms passed down through generations, or to discover that their yard-sale find was in fact a true treasure.
This year’s Antique Show Patron Sponsors were Mrs. Ernest Hazel and Charlotte Stifel with additional support from Lani Becker. Proceeds from the show benefit the Museum’s numerous Education Programs.
