Winter Antiques Show 2016

After an abnormally warm and snow free winter, New York is getting slammed with "Winter Storm Jonas" that has shut down airports, public transport and almost all business'.  In fact, the State has just issued a travel ban which means that only emergency vehicles are permitted on the streets making the City a real winter wonderland.

Columbus Avenue at noon

This storm was not a surprise - although its intensity had not been predicted, we knew it was coming and planned accordingly.  That, for me, meant not waiting for the weekend to go across Central Park to the East Side and visit the 62nd annual Winter Antiques Show that had just opened at the Park Avenue Armory.

Once again, this historic, block-large building has been transformed from a working military armory into a posh art and antiques venue with sumptuous floral displays and eighty well-vetted exhibitors presenting the finest in jewelry, furniture, prints, porcelain, carpets and almost anything else you can imagine.

Some of the stands were charming in their overall presentation, like this old fashioned toy store created by Gemini Antiques...

or Elle Shushan's "candy box" of exquisite miniature portraits executed in oil and in wax...

or the elegance of Kadego Japanese Art's simple and calm interior...

Other stands had one show stopping item that took center stage, like Aronson Antiquairs magnificent, meter high pair of 17th century Delft tulipières, that were already marked "sold"...

Or these massive Chinese punchbowls dating to the early 19th century and contained in their original case.  Each measures 22" across, is finely decorated with enamel and is inscribed in the center with the insignia of the Masons, Grand Lodge No 1...

Some booths had some real gems tucked within the overall decor.  Tillou Gallery had a wall decorated with antique ice skates like this pair made in 1860 by Douglas Rogers & Co., Norwalk, Connecticut...

This folk art painting by Anna Marie ("Grandma Moses") Robertson, called "Sugaring Off", 1940-42, was on the stand of Galerie St. Etienne...

Hirschl and Adler Galleries had this pottery "Poodle with Basket" made in Bennington, Vermont, in the mid 19th century...

I found this "Pair of Anatomical Studies of a Horse" painted by G. Vifinara in Milan circa 1845 rather bizarre.  They were offered by Thomas Coulborn and Sons...

The Winter Antiques Show always features a loan exhibition showcasing a cultural or historical institution.  This year the honor went to the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art who displayed a selection of treasures ranging from a German "Nautilus Snail", c. 1630 and probably made for a drinking game, to a very early, very tiny, Surrealist painting by Salvador Dali.

I always look forward to the Winter Antiques Show and this year's event seemed particularly fine.  So when the snow starts to melt and you can get out and about, I would encourage you to take a walk over to Park Avenue @ 67th Street and enjoy the many marvels on display.