Antique lovers were in for their yearly treat at the Vero Beach Museum of Art’s 24th annual Antiques Show and Sale: Art, Antiques and Jewelry last weekend. Thirty-eight of the industry’s preeminent dealers offered up their very best to Vero’s discerning buyers during the popular three-day show, sponsored by Mrs. Ernest Hazel. Proceeds benefit the Museum’s Education Programs.
A Preview Party Thursday evening drew roughly 150 guests who were eager to view the exceptional offerings and have private conversations with sellers in advance of the weekend crowds while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from Catering by Adrienne Drew.
“There’s an emphasis on more jewelry this year,” said Diane Wilhelm, event co-chair with Lina Sullivan. Wilhelm said she was most interested in the jewelry and the antique garden statuary, but referencing the weekend exhibit by Antique Auto Club of Indian River members added, “I’m also looking forward to the antique cars that are coming on Saturday and Sunday.
“It makes it a nice event for a couple to do together,” added Sullivan, who said her favorites included the antique outdoor furniture of Joni Lima and Joseph Spaider of Iron Renaissance, which was celebrating its 20th year at the show. “Another of my favorites is Howard Price and his partner Jason (Howard I. Price II Fine Art). They really have some neat things.”
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 were among the featured collections.
Over the weekend, visitors were also offered the opportunity to have show manager Charles Miller – of the North Carolina-based Miller, Hamilton & Company – appraise their own prized possessions.
“I’m mad about the Czech crystal Christmas trees,” said Roberta Titelman of the glittery wonders at Lynda Willauer Antiques. “They were made in the 1930s and hidden away so the Germans wouldn’t get them during World War II, and then they were found again in the 1970s.”
Chief among the numerous other superior offerings was one museum-quality painting that was particularly impressive.
“Art Link (Art Link International) has a wonderful, wonderful William Merritt Chase painting in the lobby,” said Miller. “You’ll very rarely see something of that quality in a smaller show. That particular artist and painting has such a fabulous history.”
“It is one of the finest American impressionist paintings available today,” agreed Link. “The least it has ever been offered at a show was $1.25 million. It has a tremendous history. It was painted by Chase at his Shinnecock Hills School of Art on eastern Long Island.”
An esteemed artist and teacher, Chase, deemed one of the most significant teachers of American artists around the turn of the 20th century, also established the Chase School of Art (today’s Parsons The New School for Design), and taught at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Art Students League and the Brooklyn Art Association.
“This year we also have a specialist in Southern fine art for the first time,” said Miller, referencing Tom Crowther of Crowther Fine Art. “Specialists in art are a real challenge for both the consumer and the seller. Keep in mind that most of what they’re selling is not by living artists.”
Miller noted that Crowther and D.R. Grisson, whose D.R. Grisson Collection specializes in estate jewelry, represent the younger generation of dealers.
“The future of this business is in their hands,” he added.