Decisions, decisions. When the Spring Show NYC, opens its doors on April 28 to May 2 at the Park Avenue Armory, a diverse array of fine and decorative arts from 65 members of the Art and Antique Dealers League of America will greet collectors and art aficionados of all tastes. From ancient artifacts to fine furniture to modern masterworks on canvas and mid-century decorative arts, fairgoers can count on finding a stellar piece to suit their style. Budding enthusiasts are also welcomed with a selection of exceptional and accessibly-priced items. Most importantly, all works on display have been carefully vetted for authenticity in accordance with the strict standards of the AADLA. Here we present a brief survey of some of the show's most extraordinary pieces, spanning more than 2500 years in age.
Dating from the 6th century BCE, an important large Egyptian bronze statue of a kneeling Pharaoh ($950,000) from Royal-Athena Galleries is the oldest work on offer by far. This extremely rare figure has been modeled in the henu pose, a traditional gesture expressing jubilation. Only four other kings in this pose are known. Douglas Dawson exhibits an ancient wooden ossuary in the shape of a water buffalo ($110,000) was carved by the Toradja people of Sulawesi, Indonesia. This huge example is covered in bas-relief geometric carvings in a Neolithic style.
Fast-forwarding to the Middle Ages, Engs-Dimitri Works of Art offers a 16th-century Flemish feuilles de choux (cabbage leaves) tapestry, adorned with fifteen animals and a solitary figure amongst verdant foliage. Also fit for hanging is The Penitent Magdalene ($325,000), an oil on canvas by Italian painter Onorio Marinari (1627-1716) at Robert Simon Fine Art . L'Antiquaire & The Connoisseur offers a very finely early 17th century carved gilt-wood lion ($65,000).
Fine examples of furniture from this period can be found at the booths of several dealers. At Hyde Park Antiques , a Queen Anne, Japanned secretaire cabinet dates from 1710, while Clinton Howell Antiques offers an exceptional English rococo carved and gilded mirror frame in the style of Thomas Johnson ($275,000), circa 1755, which stands eight feet tall. Also from England is a pair of George III green-painted open armchairs ($55,000), circa 1790, with pierced backs adorned with an unusual motif of a quiver and arrows, available at Kentshire Galleries .
Collectors of Continental furniture should visit the Dalva Brothers , where they will find a Louis XVI roll top desk, by A. L. Gilbert, with an adjustable fall-front for use while standing. Its delicate marquetry depicts scenes of classical ruins and townscapes with details in ivory and mother of pearl. Philip Colleck offers a Danish carved gesso and giltwood mirror frame ($34,500) with original gilding, backboard and plate all in excellent condition from 1720. An expansive (approximately 77 inches by 92 inches) and extremely rare tile picture of liveried servants from Valencia, Spain ($220,000) circa 1770 is at Carlton Hobbs , while Patrick Bavasi offers a large French needlepoint picture depicting an amusing Bacchanalian scene, circa 1750. Adding to the mix is a Chippendale block-front kneehole desk in mahogany ($175,000) from George Subkoff , a rare piece from early America, circa 1760.
A broad array of 19th century fine and decorative arts from around the world will be up for the taking. Small-scale decorative arts offerings include a hard-to-find Leeds pearlware model of a stallion ($85,000), circa 1820-30, from Earle Vanderkar of Knightsbridge , while Yew Tree House presents an impressively-scaled English tavern sign of a retriever in painted iron and copper. Spencer Marks, Ltd . brings an elegant, Aesthetic Movement sterling silver and mixed metal water pitcher by Tiffany & Co. ($95,000), fashioned in the Japanese taste. No less graceful is a Manchu woman's tien tzu headdress ($34,000) from the late Qing dynasty, embellished with kingfisher feathers, pearls, Peking glass, jade, agate, coral and quartz, at Jon Eric Riis . And lovers of Americana will want to head straight to Jeff Bridgman American Antiques , where they can purchase a rare hand-sewn, Civil War-era American flag, which features 34-stars arranged in the highly sought-after "great star" pattern.
Large-scale decorative arts offerings include an impressive Italian micro-mosaic tabletop on giltwood base ($65,000), the top depicting a partial view of the Roman Forum. Likely crafted in the Vatican Workshops circa 1820, it is available at European Decorative Arts Company . At Charles and Rebekah Clark Antiques , a Classical parlor suite in bird's eye and figured maple veneer from Philadelphia, circa 1825, comprises a sofa, four chairs and a pair of footstools. The set is attributed to Michel Bouvier, ancestor of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy and a furniture supplier to the White House. At O'Sullivan Antiques , an extremely rare English mahogany circular extension dining table, designed by Robert Jupe and complete with its original leaves, is circa 1840 and a further display of superb craftsmanship and technical mastery.
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