The Winter Antiques Show, now in its 58th year, is constantly evolving. First conceived as a specialty fair for collectors interested in the finest of English and American antiques and decorative arts, it has broadened its mission to include the best of the 20th century as well. This august show, on which Americana Week in New York is anchored, has learned to adapt to changing tastes. Much of that credit can be given to both Catherine Sweeney Singer, the executive director, and Arie Kopelman, the chairman, who took over the reins of the Show in 1995. They encouraged a more expansive vision of collecting, shifting the dateline to include fine art and decorative arts to 1969, hence opening the door to a new array of modern items. Many of these objects, which had not yet been created when the first Winter Antiques Show was presented, help to draw in crowds of visitors hoping to see the unusual and unexpected.
The show is now a decidedly diverse experience, welcoming more than just a narrowly focused group of collectors. An offshoot of this is Young Collectors Night. It is an evening where ancient Egyptian statues, Duncan Phyfe furniture, and the music of Rihanna, Beyonce, and the Black Eyed Peas share the attentions of a youthful crowd. I was invited to be on the evening’s Interior Design Committee and brought along several of the younger members of my office. I asked each of them what their favorite items from the evening were and I think their selections are interesting. Their choices are revealing and give a hint of what captivates this younger generation’s eye.
Natalie Obradovich (2nd from left, photo top) picked a pair of 1960s chairs from Moderne Gallery.
“I really love Danish furniture from this period. These chairs have such an unusual shape. The high back, low arms, and the almost ear-like extensions at the top of the chair make them feel modern and fresh. Yet, the spindle back and general idea of the chair recall early American Shaker forms.”
William Cullum (second from right) chose an Irish Georgian mirror with clear cut glass prism studs from Georgian Manor Antiques.
“What I love most about this piece is it’s sense of humor. It is absolutely ridiculous and fun, but in the most sophisticated way. The cut prism studs feel like magnified paste jewels from some elaborate costume the Duchess of Devonshire would have worn, and the antique mirror has the most wonderful patina to it.”
Chelsea Wick (left) chose a photograph from the Peter Fetterman Gallery.
“I love the contrast of the models’ soft, feminine, and brightly colored clothing with the hard and rigid façade of the more traditional building. It is a visual dichotomy; the combination of fashion, representing something new, within the context of the Victorian building, which was actually being demolished at the time of the photograph. For me, this photo represents what New York must have been at the time, glamorous but still gritty.”
