Sunday, October 30, 2016

A Visit To The San Francisco Fall Art & Antiques Show

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The cover of this year's catalogue features 'African Savannah' hand-painted wallpaper by de Gourney in keeping with the animalia theme of this year's show
Photo: Chronica Domus


It's that time of year again in San Francisco.  The social season is once again upon us and one of the highlights, at least for me, is attending the San Francisco Fall Art & Antiques Show, now in its 35th year.  Actually, the word "art" is new to the show's title which is a good thing as it drew several new exhibitors.  While this prestigious event spans four days, from Thursday through today, I was not as organized as I've been in years past and thus only managed to attend with my husband in tow on day three.

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Let's wander about and see what's what
Photo: Chronica Domus


The first booth that drew our attention was Clinton Howell Antiques. Mr. Howell is a charming and engaging fellow and we lingered for quite a while chatting whilst oohing and ahhing over several extraordinary pieces on display.  I was so dizzy by the sight of an exceptionally large and handsome nineteenth century gilded convex looking glass that I forgot to snap a photograph of it for your enjoyment. You'll just have to take my word for it when I say the thing was enormous and rather a showstopper. Crowned with an eagle dangling a snake from its beak, and girandoles to beautifully illuminate any room in which it might be hung, it really was quite a special piece.  Mr. Howell told us that it came from England and had likely hung in a country house.  This rather surprised me.  If I was a betting girl I would have lost a packet as the ring of ebonized stars surrounding the original plate, together with the crowning eagle embellishment, would have led me to believe it was an American piece.

The looking glass was by no means the only pleasant distraction in Mr. Howell's booth.  Just take a look at this:

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A rare Derbyshire Blue John urn 
Photo: Chronica Domus


and, this:

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The beautiful colors and striations of this handsome Blue John urn had weakened my knees
Photo: Chronica Domus


It was all getting a little too overwhelming so my husband and I headed straight for Café Girandole where we were seated for a pleasant lunch and light refreshments.

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A flute of champagne is ever the civilizing tonic, and all the more so while set within a deluge of beautiful antiques
Photo: Chronica Domus


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The spectacular floral arrangements at Café Girandole are a treat to behold
Photo: Chronica Domus


Following our lunchtime interlude, we wandered off down the aisles until we found this:

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A corner of Mr. Charles Plante's incredible booth
Photo: Chronica Domus


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Photo: Chronica Domus


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Mr. Plante is obviously a dab-hand with a hammer and nails, for his exhibition space was beautifully hung with a multitude of tempting pieces
Photo: Chronica Domus 


The photographs I've managed to take really do not do this space justice as every item was beautifully and compactly arranged, Mr. Plante's trademark look.

As I mentioned earlier, the show's theme revolved around animals and so I must include at least one image of my favorite animal embellished items.  These porcelain tureens and trays, circa 1810 - 1830, are part of an extensive dinner service and are painted with various animals set within fantasy landscapes.  The illustrations are based on Buffon's 'Natural History of Mammals'.

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Doesn't everyone want a hedgehog, rat, and boar embellished dinner service?
Photo: Chronica Domus


I always like to stop by Hayden & Fandetta Rare Books and poke around among their interesting and often amusing collection of books.

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Obviously, our household's Chief Bartender - my husband - has been doing it all wrong if I've yet to hear him sing whilst mixing our gee and tees!
Photo: Chronica Domus


A couple of years ago, I wrote a post on my sewing kit, found here, and how special it was to me because of the repurposed tole tin once owned by my grandmother.  I believe if I did not already have such a kit, this beauty might have come home with me:

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I was sorely tempted by this English Regency burr yew wood sewing box and the beautiful ivory oval showing a woman seated upon a neo-classical chair in the style of Adam Buck
Photo: Chronica Domus


Although we spotted several red dots on item tags, indicating an item had happily been sold, a premium event like the San Francisco Fall Art & Antiques Show is not just for serious buyers and collectors.  It provides enthusiastic admirers of beautiful antiques the opportunity to view many wonderful pieces at close proximity and learn something about them from very knowledgeable and affable dealers.  I hasten to add that such items might not necessarily be seen for sale at one's local antique shops, or what may remain of them.  This is because the show attracts international dealers who bring various regional works of art, and particularly fine furniture from afar, to display within the historic waterfront Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason.

By attending the show, you will also help provide much needed funds that benefit Enterprise For High School Students whose work helps prepare students for success in the workplace and in higher education. Oh, and of course, let's not forget the excellent series of lectures given by some of today's top designers and ambassadors of style throughout the four-day event.

Perhaps you too will make a point of attending next year's show.  You won't be disappointed.

22 comments:

  1. What a terrific show. Those urns are to die for. And I love that dinner service. What a wonderful spot for lunch!

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    1. Hello Jen Lawrence,

      Yes, those urns were indeed stunners.

      I'm so pleased you enjoyed the animal-adorned dinner service. I imagine one's guests would be delighted to dine from such things, at least if they are anything like me. Conversation pieces to be sure.

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  2. Looks like a lovely sale! Our own DC antiques show has been pretty terrible the last few years. I never even bothered to visit last year. SF as always holds the bar high for civilization.

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    1. Hello AD,

      How can it be that our nation's capital has let it's citizens down with a shoddy antiques show? I am all agog to learn of such things.

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  3. Like you I love an antique show because it just trains the eye without even trying. How clever some proceeds go to a good cause as well.

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    1. I always miss the London shows as I never seem to get myself together enough to make it out there sadly.

      It appears that 100% of the proceeds help the young students, which is quite a boost to the EFHSS.

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  4. Oh, Dear Girl!

    I've quite looked my eyes full---at least two great brimming cups' worth in the quiet of the early day. What a lovely sojourn in another whole country of beautifuls and bibelots.

    I'm just lost in Mr. Plante's wide view of the drawing room/sitting room which with the moving of chairs, could easily host a "small dance" of at least six couples. Something about a perspective down a hallish room, with the narrowing and tapering into the distance, always carries me to peeps through into those magical Easter Eggs filled with wee tableaux, or those sweet dioramas we made for history or literature class.

    I looked and squinted and wished for a better, closer view, and then you obliged as if by request. THAT would have gone home with me, I do think. There's just something about looking into small other lives with the colours and contours---perfect little dwellings with grand furnishings and wonderful light.

    The lunch and champagne simply cherried the sundae---what a sumptuous, gracious post. An afternoon amongst "affable" dealers--what an Austen word, and so apt for the whole day.

    r

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    1. Hello racheld,

      It really was a splendid show and Mr. Plante's booth was quite extraordinary and I think was my favorite of the show. Take a look at his web site when you get a moment for he has an avalanche of goodies to offer, far more than what could be held at this past week's show.

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  5. Hello CD, Such a variety of treasures available; it seems that not much has been surfacing in the areas I collect lately, with the exception of one or two coups in the photography department.

    The Blue John urns reminded me of all the Grand Tour catalogs I used to examine. There is a kind of poor Taiwanese cousin to this called Seven Color Stone--not as grandiose, but it won't set you back a whole lot, either (and is very typical of Chinese taste).

    I think that Mr. Plante's booth would have absorbed a lot of my time--I certainly envy his skill in arranging and so evenly hanging all those pictures.
    --Jim

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    1. Hello Jim,

      Now, a Grand Tour catalog would be something I'd certainly find myself absorbed in. The nearest I've come to one recently is viewing the Christie's on-line catalog of the Peter Hone sale in London last week. What great loot!

      I'm afraid Blue John is so rare the prices for substantial pieces, such as the urns I photographed for this post, are beyond most people's means. It is a beautiful stone though.

      I could not get enough of Mr. Plante's delicious exhibition space and took many more photographs but had to restrain myself to posting just three for this blog.

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  6. Mr Howell does indeed have some lovely pieces and nice to hear he was so generous with his time and expertise...as a boy, I enjoyed many a delightful afternoon with his kin Thurston & Lovey.

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    1. Hello GSL,

      I've never seen the show but it was one of my husband's favorites as a boy.

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  7. Well we did the same thing on the weekend: I attended the Adelaide Antique Fair, however it didn't look quite so salubrious as your event! Ours was at the Showgrounds (where we have the Royal Show, the State's big agricultural show, and was in one of the halls. No lovely lunch with champagne -more a cafeteria style affair, and certainly no flowers. I went with my sister and like you enjoyed browsing and seeing dealers from far and wide. Many now don't have shopfronts dealing from home and attending the various antique shows around the country. My eye was caught by a $110,000 Georgian tea service. Needless to say it didn't come home with me! I do love those Urns - absolutely stunning. It sounds like a fabulous event.

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    1. Hello Heidi,

      The organizers of the show always do an outstanding job which draws not only enthusiasts of art and antiques but top designers (who give lectures and conduct book signings), and dealers. My husband and I even spotted a few famous faces on the day we attended. There are other antiques shows in the area (minor) but nothing compares to the glamour of the SFFA&AS.

      Do please spill the beans on the Georgian tea service - assuming it is silver if the price tag is anything to go by?

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    2. Oh yes - sterling silver and by a big name maker... whose name actually escapes me now (sorry, brain is overfull at the moment)! It consisted of tea pot, creamer, sugar bowl, hot water pot and two footed silver trays, one large and one tiny. Really beautiful.
      The lecture aspect sounds really interesting. We have bigger fairs interstate in Sydney and Melbourne, and they're not held in the royal showgrounds, but sadly I've not managed to be there when they are (and they seem to happen about once a quarter). Possibly they're more like your fair. x

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    3. Thanks so much Heidi for coming back and filling me in on the tea service. Sounds lovely! If you ever find yourself in London, I highly recommend a visit to the London Silver Vaults. A unique and spectacular place or silver lovers. I've done some damage there, so be prepared.

      The lecture series at this year's show included talks by Peter Pennoyer with Katie Ridder, Suzanne Rheinstein, Alexa Hampton, among others. You would have loved it.

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  8. I have made a note of this event for a possible trip north to take it in next year! What lovely things they have and even just to peruse, like one does in a museum, would be entertaining.
    Thanks, CD.
    Karen

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    1. Hello Karen,

      Yes, you are overdue for a trip north and when you make that trip, count this show to be one of the highlights. Perhaps you would care to join me for it next year.

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  9. That dinner service, unbelievable! I have a soft spot for hedgehogs so I think it is fabulous. What a gorgeous antique show, I would love to attend just for the education. I think it does good things for the soul to spend a day among beautiful and historical things. You do have a terrific eye CD!
    Thanks for sharing this with us. xox

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    1. Hello DaniBP,

      I too have a little crush on hedgehogs and have since childhood. I recall finding one in the garden of our house in Kent and feeding it bread soaked in milk (it was rather a little fellow). When I visited Hatfield House during my pregnancy, I spotted a little hedgehog soft toy for sale in the gift shop and snapped it up - it was the first thing I purchased for my "baby" - hah!

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  10. Oh be still my beating heart- that Blue John urn did capture my attention. Those colors are magnificent. Many years ago I recall seeing some in the London Silver Vaults but I have never seen one displayed by an American dealer.
    Best,
    KL Gaylin

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    1. Hello KL Gaylin,

      If you look carefully at the photographs, you will notice there are two distinct urns, not a pair of the same design. I admired (loved!) both for different reasons. Would be hard to pick.

      So pleased you've visited the Silver Vaults. I could quite happily lose myself in that shiny maze.

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