ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW
Art lovers, collectors, decorators and designers hit the Barker Hangar to eye the spectacular creations on display at the 11th annual Los Angeles Antique Show. In keeping with tradition, the show opened with a splashy VIP gala to benefit the Women’s Guild of Cedars-Sinai.
The artistic showcase is always a crowd pleaser with an endless array of precious objects from every era. Well-heeled guests sashayed in to the beat of a live jazz quartet. They sipped champagne and snacked on fresh shellfish while drifting through a delightful maze of exhibition spaces.
Glitz! If bling is your thing, the Kentshire Gallery had you covered. Jewelry junkies made a beeline for the four massive cases of nice ice that were trucked in from NYC. The sparkling spread was a cut above with dazzling turn-of-the-century necklaces, sensational art-deco bracelets, chunky David Webb bangles and rapper-worthy diamond rings. So just how do they transport these million dollar babies? “We don’t,” owner Ellen Israel explained. “We leave that to Brinks.”
There were temptations at each turn and curiosities around every corner. Victorian ostrich eggs followed by Queen Anne candlesticks, Civil War-era rocking horses and signed Tiffany glass lamps. There were Ramu river masks from New Guinea, silks from the Ottoman Empire, gold icons from Russia, Navajo baskets from the Desert Southwest.
Mild mannered art dealers turned into shameless name-droppers and with Picasso, Cartier, Sargent and Chippendale coming to the party, who can blame them?
Chicanery! Locals like Candi Spelling leaned in for a closer look at Robertsons Antiques of New Hope Pennsylvania where canes are king. Many of the 19th-century conversation pieces had secret compartments concealing everything from mysterious vials to men’s razors, old-fashioned corkscrews to secret swords, even a bicycle pump in case you’re feeling a little flat.
Bow wow! Across the way at The Hampshire Gallery of London, pet owners went mad for memorabilia honoring man’s best friend. “We have the largest collection of antique dog paintings and sporting jewelry in the world,” said Jillie Hampshire, showing off a family portrait depicting five generations of championship Pugs. You could also jazz up the old wardrobe with a pair of cocker spaniels cufflinks, accessorize with an antique poodle pendant or make a statement with an enamel sheep dog stickpin. “It’s not enough to just be an antiques dealer these days,” explained John Hampshire. “To really be successful, you have to narrow your field.”
All that art had us working up an appetite so we made our way to the dinner tent, which was done up Mardi Gras style complete with gas lamps, carnival masks, Chinese birdcages, crystal chandeliers and loads of Big Easy beads. Buffet table chefs created their own masterpieces carving up platters of roast beef along with grilled veggies, savory salads and an array of sweet treats.
Before the fizz had gone out of the last flute of champagne, the Women’s Guild racked up more than $750,000 for patient care, education and research programs-an accomplishment that’s artful indeed!