I always love starting the year with the opening evening of the Washington Winter Show, which is now open through Sunday at American University’s Katzen Arts Center. Antiques have a well-worn (and earned) character about them that not only wake up a room, but the stories behind them are endlessly fascinating.
I combed the show last night for my favorites, but as it sprawls across three levels, it’s worth going to in person. Here are my own highlights:
From the Artemis Gallery in North Salem, NY:
An English-made pitcher made specifically for the American market @1824, when the Marquis de Lafayette visited the states. His mug is on the opposite side. The fresh contrast of deep chocolate brown and white really caught my eye here.
“Republicans are not always ungrateful.” A message in commemoration of Lafayette’s heroism during the Revolution. Still true today? Hmmm
From Brennan & Mouilleseaux in Northfield, CT, whose booth I adored last year, came up with some more winners this year, from 19th-century to Deco and mid-century modern beauties:
Art Deco chest. The wood patina nearly glows.
From Spencer Marks in Southampton, MA:
This silver dome practically screamed out at me — more so when they told me it was produced by a pioneering woman silversmith named Clara Wells in the 1920s. At her Kalo Shop, she taught other women the art of silversmithing. Stunning.
I also loved this amazing deco pitcher — another piece of art.
From Fletcher Copenhaver Fine Art in Fredericksburg, VA:
Everyone knows the famous Uncle Sam “I Want YOU” poster, with Sam pointing his finger at the viewer. That was drawn by illustrator James Montgomery Flagg, who was also William Randolph Hearst’s favorite. Here, he’s drawn illustrations for a magazine layout — the text goes in the open space. As a magazine editor, I think this might be my absolute favorite from the whole show.
From Kelleher Fine Art near San Francisco:
I adore this painting of the Longchamps Racecourse in Paris. Could not stop staring at it!
From Alfred Bullard Inc. in Philadelphia:
Designer Kelley Proxmire led me to this one. Don’t you love that monkey head? This Empire bench would look fabulous even in a contemporary space. It would give a room so much personality and color, all in one piece.
From the Leather Bucket in Philadelphia:
While we’re talking about adding color to a room, I can totally see this 19th century leather chest in front of a sleek white or gray fireplace surround.
I am gaga for this chest! You could put any kind of fabric behind that metal grille to complement whatever room it’s in. Awesome.
From Becks Antiques & Books in Fredericksburg, VA:
This is another chest I loved for all its interesting details. It’s actually in the Kelleher Fine Art booth.
This lion heralds visitors to the Beck’s booth. BIll Beck thinks this huge guy graced a building facade sometime in the 1870s.
I adore this whiskey decanter. I can envision it in a starring role on a fabulous bar in a Lonny Magazine shoot…
From Leatherwood Antiques in Sandwich, MA:
OK, how cool is this enormous shop sign?
From Robert Lloyd in New York:
Lee Kosiewski of Robert Lloyd has amassed a huge collection of these advertising drafts for Guinness Beer, which artist John Gilroy produced for the SH Benson ad agency between the 1930s and 1960s. They are oil on canvas, and the paintings are in English, French, Hebrew, Greek and Russian. This one reflects where Guinness is most heavily consumed even today: Nigeria!
From Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge Inc. in Maryknoll, NY:
This caught me just as I was leaving — a Fornasetti corner!
I will leave you now with this amazing door knocker from Busch & Fielding of St. Joseph, MO., one of a collection that’s definitely worth seeing in person, along with a great lineup of speakers and events this weekend. Go!
Jennifer Sergent. Native Washingtonian. Former editor at Washington Spaces magazine and HGTV. Currently searching for – and writing about – DC’s design voices. Write to me @