On the first Monday of December bear-hunting season opened in New Jersey. But two days before, it was “antiques-hunting” season that opened in the Garden State at the December 3 -4 Christmas Antiques Show, run by Ellen Katona and Bob Lutz.

It wasn’t a taxidermy bear, but a carving of a piebald deer, that “captured” the attention of shoppers in the booth of Engelmann Antiques, Long Valley, N.J. And before too long, this folk art creation with carved wooden head, tin ears and real antlers, became something of a “trophy” in one showgoer’s home. As recent returnees to the show circuit (and residing about nine miles from the show’s location), the Englemann’s also sold a wooden hanging storage cupboard. Filling out their booth was a washtub bench in pewter paint with mortised braces and screwed joints, a baker’s cupboard on wheels in its original gray paint, a splay leg firehouse Windsor highchair in mustard paint and a Pennsylvania cherry, circa 1830, two-drawer stand.

Whether nine miles away from home (such as the Engelmanns) or nine hundred miles away (like the Kentucky Sandpiper), dealers eagerly come from both near and far to exhibit at this annual holiday event. But unlike the 52 other exhibitors at this show, Kentuckian Alice Rickstrew had been on the road for an entire month, exhibiting at shows in Indianapolis, York and Williamsburg prior to this one.

Even though bear hunting season would open in New Jersey the day after this show, it was a deer – a folk art piebald deer – that “captured” the attention of one buyer, at the booth of Engelmann Antiques, Long Valley, N.J.

Rickstrew singled out an Eighteenth Century, New Englandmourning doll which was carved out of chestnut wood. Pointing outthe detail of the hairstyle, she told us that the father would makethis for his children as a remembrance of their deceased mother.”They are extremely rare. In fact, I only know of one other, in theAbby Aldrich collection.”

Another of her rarities was an American, late Nineteenth Century, wrought iron articulated piece in the form of a dancing man. Also exhibited was a circa 1800, American, tilt top table with birdcage tripod stand and tiger maple base in a rare small size, and an early Eighteenth Century, Queen Anne, walnut stretcher base tavern table. Several of her smalls included an early Twentieth Century aluminum scissors trade sign, a Victorian pull toy of a life-size nodding duck and an all-original, Eighteenth Century, lace maker’s dovetailed sewing box with till, rosehead nails and bear-trap lock.

Other patrons “tracked down” Oley, Penn., exhibitor Pierre Deragon who trades under the name Out of Hand Antiques. Proving that he has as keen an eye for display as he does for shopping, Deragon artistically grouped a collection of 1880s (tissue-stuffed) children’s apparel around Nineteenth Century toys which included doll carriages and tricycles. His polished, museum-like look worked, as he sold two outfits and some toys. Also leaving his inventory was a set of 60 circus tent banners, an apple butter kettle and a chrome yellow and smoke decorated blanket chest.

This collection of circa 1890 stoneware preserve jars, with floral decoration, was seen in the booth of Sandbrook Antiques, Flemington, N.J.

And speaking of blanket chests, Katona and Lutz and theirbooth neighbors – the Pinkerton’s – each sold blanket chests.

Pleased with the good gate, Katona added, “It’s good to see that furniture is moving. In fact, the Pinkerton’s also lightened up their van for the return trip home to Newark, Del., with the sale of a high back dry sink and a country Sheraton chest.”

Happy with their Saturday sales River Country Antiques, Piermont, N.Y., told us that they sold a dry sink, two quilts, a quilt rack, some redware, a hooked rug of a rooster and a pair of chairs that were stenciled with peafowls.

“It’s nice to take part in a reasonably priced show where you don’t have to sell so much of your merchandise just to cover your expenses,” noted Frenchtown, N.J., exhibitor Abby Brooks, who also expressed that she had a good show.

“Rare to find” and “seldom seen” are phrases rightfully attached to much of the merchandise exhibited by Ron and Sharon Pittenger, Dark Moon Antiques, Johnsonburg, N.J. One of their museum quality pieces was a 22-inch-long Eighteenth Century Native American (Eastern Woodland Indian) ball-headed war club (called tomahawks by the colonists). Also exhibited was a field canteen used by a field farmer or the military that was intricately constructed with interlocking leather bands and still retaining its original plug. Given its extremely fine condition, Ron believes it may have once belonged to a museum or been held in a private collection.

Mold collectors generally think of food or butter molds, but what about a button mold? That’s right, Dark Moon also showed us a rare Eighteenth Century, Connecticut button mold which was used to cast large and medium sized flat and dome buttons for clothes, collars and clips. There was certainly no mold used in the making of an American, Eighteenth Century pine miniature sea chest also seen in the Pittenger’s booth. This dovetailed case had snipe hinges, till, inside leather straps (still retaining their square shank brass tacks) and a nicely molded top iron escutcheon.

“Christmas is hot!” said Stephanie Chiappa, Sandbrook Antiques, Flemington, N.J., who along with selling a number of holiday items and berry baskets, also had several gentlemen purchase jewelry for gift giving.

“There is quality merchandise and people are spending,” noted Hightstown, N.J. exhibitor Mer Ivins, who exhibited with his wife Ann. A quick sell for the Ivins was an early, primitive gate leg table. Another one of their customers left with a chicken pecking corn crock. Juxtaposed to an open page in one of Judith Miller’s books, the Ivins displayed a Georgian bow front corner washstand with the same early construction details of the piece shown in the book photo.

Distant Past Antiques, Mount Laurel, N.J.

A 1940s Disney store display and a early Nineteenth Centurywatercolor of a colonial home are just two of the items that won’tbe returning to Stowe, Vt., with business partners Annette Colettiand Richard Fuller, who trade under the name Hand Picked.

Manheim, Penn., dealer Ken Apgar, who along with his brother exhibits early holiday items, told us that this year’s show was even better for them than last year.

Ironstone was very popular in the booth of H&L Antiques, Princeton, N.J., “I’m almost out of bags,” quipped Helen Bryan. Some of their furniture items included a bucket bench cupboard, a circa 1850 two-drawer jelly cupboard with gallery and an open pine stepback cupboard which held yellowware, wooden bowls and yes, some ironstone.

Jim Woodruff told us that he sold a larger size Parker coffee mill and a number of smalls. The Chester, N.J., dealer exhibited a set of six Pennsylvania paint decorated (with green background) chairs, a blanket chest with its original grain painted surface, a group of silhouettes and a collection of redware which included a 6 1/2-inch-tall pitcher and a large jar, both with manganese decoration.

Ellen Katona and Bob Lutz’s next event will be a one-day show on Saturday, February 4, at the George School, Newtown, Penn. For information, 856-459-2229.