Amazing Antiques

record-breaking crowds flocked to the avenue antiques and art at the armory show, which took place dec. 3 to dec. 6 at the park avenue armory at east 67th street. with more than 55 leading international dealers offering something for every interest and price level, the show provided the ultimate holiday gift buying opportunity. the show's elegant look was conceived by noted interior designer richard mishaan.

"the avenue antiques and art at the armory restored my faith in shows. the atmosphere at the show was incredibly upbeat and positive. most importantly, the level of interest shown was phenomenal, as was the high level of attendance," said exhibitor michael james of the silver fund.

antiques and art at the armory opened the evening of wednesday, dec. 2, with a private preview to benefit the american cancer society's hope lodge jerome l. greene family center nyc, and then ran daily through sunday, dec. 6. seen shopping among the crowds those days were jon bon jovi, wayne gretsky, ralph lauren, vera wang, cyndi lauper, patti smith and john mcenroe.

show attendees were also treated to exclusive lectures from the prestigious royal oak foundation and a designer breakfast panel discussion, "decorating with antiques in the modern world," moderated by today show and 1stdibs contributor susanna salk. the panel featured mario buatta, maureen footer, miles redd and guy regal.

when assessing the show results, avenue magazine publisher julie dannenberg said, "all of us at avenue feel so lucky to be accepted by the dealers and equally as thrilled that our community of upper east siders has been energized and motivated to shop again!"

among the shows' many notable sales were a fine pair of late 18th-century portuguese open armchairs in the chinese chippendale style from michael pashby antiques of new york; a set of silver by english silversmith paul de lamerie; five paintings, including one by norman rockwell and one by john grimshaw, from m.s. rau of new orleans; sailor's woolwork pictures and a 17th-century botanical engraving from earle vandekar of knightsbridge from maryknoll, n.y.; and a pair of important 1940s austrian wall sconces from the silver fund of san francisco.

guy regal, of guy regal ltd./newel llc, said, "life has finally been returned to the art and antique market via the avenue show. there was an excitement on the floor from the moment the doors opened. happily it continued past the end, as i had a fabulous follow-up sale the next day."

-- avenue is a sister publication of our town, published by parent company manhattan media.