For the second year, Antiques at Castle in the Clouds was a success in bringing more visitors to the landmark home. Produced by Nan Gurley, the show conducted on June 29 had more than 55 exhibitors in an assortment of tents on the sprawling lawn of the mansion. Although threatened by rain, the customers did show in the middle of the day, along with the sunshine.
Gurley and her husband, Peter Mavris, were among the exhibitors with their collection of early folk art and antiques. One such piece was a miniature chest-on-chest in old reddish brown paint, believed to have been from Maine, circa 1800. Also shown was a miniature tole ware bread tray, only about 6 inches long with figural paint decoration. Gurley and Mavris keep a shop open near their home in Cornish, Maine.
From South Paris, Maine, Magoun Bros was offering a collection of early furniture, household accessories and art. But the firm also brought a collection of canoes, bark canoes, wooden canoes and fiberglass examples, just for the lake residents.
The show was filled with small objects, primarily because, according to one dealer, “When you expect rain †and in New England at this time of year, that’s every day †you plan for it and exhibit what you can protect.” Joe Prakop, Exeter, N.H., was showing, among other antiques, an iron face clock. Made in Connecticut about 1830, the front of the case was cast iron, paint decorated and embellished with mother of pearl; its clock face, Prakop believed, was a replacement, but he said it worked, and was priced at $185.
Susan Gault from Thetford Center was also showing small things, including a set of four horn cups. Three tables filled with small dishes, measures, beakers and cups and small household implements were the stock for Kenneth E. Reid of Andover, N.H. One of the special pieces brought by Louise Hardie was a child’s pull toy horse in excellent condition. From just across the lake in Meredith, Faye Foster was offering a large collection of English silver. Foster has an open shop in that town as well, so she left the furniture there.
Blue was not an attitude in the exhibit from Hand Picked of Stowe, Vt., but it was the dominant color of the furniture on view. There was a blue dry sink, cupboard, chest and even a blue table. There were also some other colors in the booth, such as red chairs and white table, but these dealers, Richard Fuller and Annette Coletti, do like their blue pieces, and Richard said, “That’s what we sell.”
Also from Vermont, Stephen-Douglas Antiques was offering several early painted pieces. There was a tall pantry cupboard in red milk paint, which sold early in the show, and a finely crafted small stand, Sheraton style, in tiger maple.
Also from Vermont, Michael and Lucinda Seward were offering an eclectic collection in that all their pieces were very valuable and early, but they were not simply furniture or dishes or textiles. Both of the dealers look at every object in their travels and buy what appeals to them as something special. They then sell it for a modest profit, most of the time. Their shop in Pittsford, Vt., is open by chance or appointment.
From Maine, there were several dealers. Richard Smith lives in Camden with a collection of antiques from America. The centerpiece of his display at this show was a hooked rug from Waldoboro, Maine, which he said was from 1890 and priced at $1,200. Pioneer Folk is the business of Lilly and Ed Miller from Ellsworth. They have fun with early advertising and store signs, along with other early furniture and some novelties. There was a pair of midcentury lamps; an oar for a wall hanging; a hardware store cupboard with dozens of drawers, painted; small pieces of stoneware and more.
The dealers came to the show to have a good time, and they certainly did seem to do just that. One dealer, A Country Lady from Ossipee, N.H., even came in period costume.
The show is set at Castle in the Clouds to build awareness of the site and its museum. It is open every day through mid-October and is located on Route 171, about two miles south of Route 109. There are art shows, car shows, jazz concerts and more all summer; and the views are spectacular. For information, www.castleintheclouds.org or 603-476-5900.
Gurley has more shows this summer, including Antiques at Deerfield, August 5, at Deerfield Fairgrounds near Manchester, N.H. For information, 207-625-3577.
