Date: Fri 16-Oct-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: SHIRLE

Quick Words:

Hinsdale

Full Text:

Hinsdale, Antiques Show

w/cuts

By Susan and A. Bagdade

HINSDALE, ILL. -- For the 40th annual Hinsdale Antiques Show held on September

10 to 13 at The Community House, a New Orleans theme, "Beyond the French

Quarter," was selected by the all-volunteer committee. Show attendees

experienced the cuisine, music and ambiance of historic New Orleans during all

four days events.

An elegant preview party in a replicated New Orleans courtyard started the

show with enthusiasm. Highlighting opening day was a lecture and book signing

by "Miss Manners," syndicated columnist Judith Martin, who discussed how "Miss

Manners Rescues Civilization." Eron Johnson and Scottish Art Heritage both

provided informative Booth Chats.

The show benefited the community house, where 30 prestigious antiques dealers

representing 21 states (as well as one exhibitor from abroad) set up their

antiques on both floors in room-like settings. Five new dealers were added

this year, including William Blair Ltd., from Louisiana; Pierce and Pierce,

from Wisconsin; Rosemary Ward, from Texas; Lawrence Forlano, from New

Hampshire; and Fiske and Freeman, from Vermont.

Fraida Allard of Rare Finds, Ltd., Northfield, Ill., reported her best show

ever at Hinsdale this year. Her selection of English smalls, fireplace

furnishings, Victorian bamboo furniture as well as copper and brass sold well.

Toast racks, unusual picture frames, majolica, chintz, wine decanters, and

chests could also be found in this exhibit. A wonderful papier-mache table

sold very early in the preview. Epergnes sold, as well as merchandise across

the board.

Allard pointed out a very special piece of English bamboo upholstered

furniture in the form of a magazine stool for $1,850. In mint condition with

an attached mirror was a circa 1885 two door bamboo cabinet tagged $2,875.

Dating circa 1875 was a very decorative polished steel umbrella stand for

$850.

Fiske and Freeman from Belmont, Vt., were pleased with their first appearance

at the show. Their circa 1790 George III English mahogany knife boxes elicited

comments from everyone, since double-size knife boxes are uncommon. The

interior of these had been remodeled for correspondence and was tagged $1,950.

Signed and dated "MM34" was a pair of French Rococo candelabra in gold washed

bronze for $3,000. A pair of portraits of Mr and Mrs Edwin George Ripley,

signed and dated "Pickering 77" was $3,000, while a circa 1825 Federal

dressing table in mahogany, with brass inlay and acanthus leaves on the legs

and mirror, was $3,500.

Mary Bresnan of Strafford, Penna., sold a turn-of-the-century racing bike by

the J.W. Grady Co., Worcester, Mass., that had a leather seat, woven wheels,

and Dayton cast chain sprocket. It was a real beauty.

In a new location this year was Candlestick Antiques from Clarkston, Mich.

Blue and white transfer printed wares were selling very well. They also showed

some handsome American furniture, including a found-in-New York State,

mid-Nineteenth Century, grain painted jelly cupboard, which came with a

working lock and key, for $2,500.

Evan E. Sommerfeld from Madison, Ind., showed us an unusual collection of

glass blowers' canes used in Labor Day parades that ranged in price from $175

to $400. They were made by the glass blowers after hours with leftover glass.

He also exhibited Dutch delft artifacts and tiles, Staffordshire figures,

copper and brass, and several interesting French enamel stoves. Sales were

across the board.

From Winter Park, Fla., Asiantiques showed Chinese dream stones dated 1821.

They came from the Daoguong Period, had the artist's name and exhibited

excellent use of color, and, according to the exhibitors, it was "amazing that

they survived in a matching pair." They were tagged $12,500.

Chinese Export porcelain is one of the specialties of Thomas Forshee Antiques

from Stockbridge, Mich. At Hinsdale he sold furnitures, a tea caddy, and

porcelain. An unusual circa 1850 Japanese embroidery Fukusa on navy silk was

outstanding for $2,250.

New exhibitor William Blair, Ltd., Inc. from New Orleans, La., had very high

quality Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century English furnishings. One rare piece

was a Padouk wood and brass inlaid kneehole desk, on cabriole legs ending in

ball and claw feet, circa 1745, for $49,500. A late George III brass bound

mahogany wine cooler, "the best one [they] ever had," was tagged $39,500.

Eve Stone Antiques Ltd. from Woodbridge, Conn., was also in a new room for her

return showing at Hinsdale. She featured a huge variety of copper, fireplace

tools and equipment, brass candlesticks and accessories. Dating circa 1860 was

an English brass rectangular umbrella stand for $3,885, while an English set

of ten copper sauce pans with lids was $9,890.

Newcomer Rosemary Ward from Houston, Tex., was very pleased with her sales of

lovely linens. A cutwork tablecloth with an insertion of fine lace had a

knotted filet lace edge for $895.

Isaacs Gallery from Louisville, Ky., was please to find a lot of interest and

repeat customers this year. Sales were across the board in jewelry, silver,

Russian art objects and such.

Eron Johnson Antiques from Denver, Colo., always has an eclectic mix of

furniture and accessories from different periods and styles. Early sales

included a huge mirror and a painted trunk. Dating circa 1800 was a wonderful

wrought iron hall stand with scrolling iron and flower details tagged $4,300.

A pair of French wrought iron entrance gates from the street entrance of a

city mansion dated circa 1870-80 and was $2,200.

Linda Ketterling Fine Antiques from Toledo, Ohio showed her excellent majolica

in a beautiful arrangement. A pair of Minton passion flower garden seats was

$17,000, while a circa 1875 George Jones centerpiece of an angel on a dolphin

was $13,500.

Moving downstairs this year, Busch and Fielding from St Joseph, Mo., sold a

garden seat, some architectural pieces, Creil plates, and quite a few smalls.

Numerous measurements went out early in the show so they were hopeful that

additional sales would be generated.

For his first dealer appearance in the Chicagoland area, Lawrence Forlano from

Franconia, N.H., was pleased with the interest shown in "the new boy in town."

He felt "good vibes" from this show and was glad to see there was

knowledgeable interest in his rugs and garden furniture.

Whitehall at the Villa from Chapel Hill, N.C., had their usual fine preview

and good opening day at Hinsdale. Sales included a country French Eighteenth

Century panetiere and work table, several paintings, lots of silver, two sets

of shell tip silver teaspoon sets, a miniature suitcase carved out of cherry

with straps, hinges, and brass fittings, platters, and boxes.

Lyons Ltd. from San Francisco, Calif., always has a wide audience for her

excellent prints at Hinsdale, while Solomon Suchard Antiques from Shaker

Heights, Ohio, has the best collection of Eighteenth early Twentieth Century

French country faience, especially Quimper. They had an excellent opening day.

Lotz's Antiques from St Louis, Mo., sold a French clock and a box regulator

clock as well as a rug and some Delft.

New exhibitor Pierce and Pierce from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc., had excellent

relief molded jugs, fine Belleek, blue and white china, as well as

Staffordshire figures and spill vases. Sharing their room was Dee Wilheim

Antiques from Grand Blanc, Mich., showing wonderful early lighting devices.

Book dealers Hayden and Fandetta had a great show since they sold some very

rare books, including an 1805 book of decorating windows colored in the

period, as well as a Historie du Papier Peint en France by Clouzot and Fullot

in the original box and board.