APVA Preservation Virginia has joined the ranks of other prestigious museums and historical societies to link a major antiques show as a fundraiser and to direct awareness to a great cause. The more than 100-year-old organization is dedicated to preserving and promoting the state’s irreplaceable historic structures, landscapes, collections, and archaeological sites.
Founded in 1889 by Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman of Williamsburg and Mary Jeffrey Galt of Norfolk, the APVA was formed initially in Williamsburg to acquire the deteriorating Powder Horn built in 1715. Celebrating Virginia’s role in representative but limited government, the APVA also acquired in 1897 the vacant site of the colonial capitol, which it ceremoniously marked with a bronze plaque.
In 1893, the APVA acquired a 22.5-acre parcel of Jamestown Island containing the church tower, its graveyard, and nearby Confederate earthworks. It set the tone for one of the largest and most renowned restorations anywhere, Colonial Williamsburg. There are presently 27 properties under their wing.
The show invited supporters statewide to participate in a preview party, luncheon, and appraisal clinic as well as the opportunity to purchase fine antiques for their collections. There were 42 prestigious dealers from 14 states and Panama offering furniture, china, silver, jewelry, and numerous other decorative accessories appropriate to complement period as well as contemporary design.
The dealer roster for this show was impressive and included such names as Zane Moss and Roger Winter. The offerings were of the highest quality including a miniature portrait of Admiral Horatio Nelson and a rare pristine John James Audubon print.
Scott Cilley, Northumberland Antiques is a likable dealer from Richmond, Va. who deals in early furniture, tables, chairs, and small chests with a few select accessories. Rumor has it that he nearly cleaned his booth (of wares) before departure on Sunday afternoon. This is often the case for this popular gentleman. Set up next to Scott was Steve White, White & White, Skaneateles, New York. He also had good luck with furniture and various small items.
Bill Shaefer, Shaefers Antiques has high-end ceramic dishes as well as figures. These items are for collectors and his display of Staffordshire bocage figures was outstanding. He seemed happy with the results of the three-day show. His only complaint was finding his way around Charlottesville. Silver dealer, Sue Robinette was pleased and said that she was networking for her other Virginia shows.
Acanthus Antiques of Kensington, Md. had a handsome French Louis XIV-style parquetry commode circa 1900. Robert Eric French whose specialty is 18th-century glass brought with him several early helmets and swords. He made a nice display with an 1814 Dragoon Helmet and two sabers, one 1833 and one 1840.
Zane Moss from New York City had a stunning booth with wonderful high-end items at high-end prices. Nevertheless, this booth added a lot of class to the show and Mr. Moss was very easy to talk with. Likewise Roger Winter of Solebury, Va. was showing a wonderful William IV pedestal dining table almost 12 feet long listed at $18,500.
The Nelson miniature was in the booth of Bill & Joyce Subjack, Never Bird Antiques from Surry, Va. Howard Price, currently living in Panama, was showing the Audubon print for $22,500 as well as a set of Venetian Photogravures by David Roberts and George Catlin. Prints of this quality are seen rarely.
Not all of the offerings were extremely high-end. Bob Baker, Poverty Hollow from Newtown Connecticut had a number of decorator items that fit the budget of young collectors as well as some very nice early twentieth-century furniture. A garden sundial was also part of his display. Several dealers brought items for the garden appropriate to the season. One of these was an iron “garden door” shown by Pete’s Pickens, Upper Falls, Md priced at $850. Peter Nee was a last-minute fill-in but was able to put together an attractive booth with some very interesting pieces. Still, in the garden mode, Peter had a 19th-century Fiske Urn and a 19th-century architect’s model of an Italian Palazzo.
All in all, there was something for just about everyone’s taste and budget. Furniture from the 17th to the twentieth centuries, formal, country, informal, and high style. There were Oriental, English, and French ceramics, American pottery, silver, jewelry, paintings and prints, and lots more. Those who didn’t attend missed a good one.
Several pieces of furniture left the floor while this reporter was present including a two-piece highboy.
Antiques in Charlottesville is managed by Melrose and Dudly, LLC, and produced by members of the Jefferson Chapter of Preservation Virginia.
Support for Preservation Virginia may be made by contacting Preservation Virginia (804)648-1889 ext 303 or miam@preservationvirginia.org
Urban Art & Antiques 