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'Home Team,' 1903, by British artist Arthur John Elsley (1862 to 1952) captures the free spirit and innocence of childhood in this magnificent oil on canvas. Elsley enjoyed international esteem with his charming and idyllic images of children in the late (Courtesy of M.S. Rau Antiques)
NEW YORK—Even though the calendar says autumn and the temperature makes it feel like summer, there was no better place to park for a few hours this weekend than the annual Armory Antiques, Art & Design show.
Taking place Sept. 22 to 25 in Manhattan inside the cavernous Park Avenue Armory’s Drill Hall, over 60 premium dealers from coast to coast, plus a few from as far away as London and Tokyo, exhibited antiques, fine arts, and jewelry dating as far back as the 17th century. There was something for everyone’s taste, from sterling silver sets to graceful Art Nouveau furniture.
Shows that are as well-curated as this show are wonderful because when the foot traffic is light, there is nothing that stands between you and famous works of art. If your wall space is limited or just too full of masterpieces, you could turn your attention to some of the outstanding, pedigreed antiques and objets d’art that were on display throughout.
If you’re a dedicated collector of sterling silver or an extravagant party-giver, then this show didn’t disappoint. N. & I. Franklin’s massive Duke of Leeds service for 24 arrived from London just in time for viewing. Dating from 1762, this George III flatware with a fiddle, thread, and shell pattern is attributed to silversmith Isaac Collard and is housed in a multi-drawer cabinet. (www.franklinsilver.com)
At the M.S. Rau Antiques booth, several curiosities, including a WW II spy radio, a turn-of-the-century stock ticker, and an original carousel horse from 1880, were on display, along with a gorgeous, mid-1800’s crystal decanter and game set. Complete with a deck of cards, chips, and a cribbage board, the set cleverly disguised a cigar cutter set up like a guillotine to snap off the tip of your stogie.
And on a grandiose scale, like the Duke of Leeds silver set, was a 19th century jewelry chest masquerading as a 7-foot-tall bureau, complete with enough shelves and drawers to stash hundreds of precious baubles.
While on the subject of jewelry, one of the country’s premiere estate jewelers, Richter’s, from Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, brought out some of its vivid and vibrant David Webb and Jean Schlumberger treasures.Camilla Dietz Bergeron (www.cdbltd.com), specialists in fine antique period and estate jewelry, had impeccable examples of yellow gold bracelets and necklaces from houses like Cartier.
More treasures from this year’s show can be found at www.avenueshows.com
Isabelle Kellogg is a writer and public relations consultant in the luxury sector, with a passion for diamonds, jewelry, watches, and other luxury products, including travel. Contact her at isabelle@ikellogg.com.
