Variety is the name of the game at The Spring Show NYC. This inaugural show, sponsored by the Art and Antique Dealers League of America is currently taking place at the Park Avenue Armory on the Upper East Side through Monday, May 2. Sixty-five, top-tier dealers and galleries are presenting their best wares that span the spectrum in terms of age, price and medium.
Side by side you can find ancient Egyptian statues and mid-century modern furniture. Booths filled with Japanese antiques are neighbors to other booths selling antique Americana. A significant number of items selling for under $5,000 share space with six figure pieces. There is something to be found by both the seasoned collector and those just stepping into the game.
Individual pieces and dealer booths that caught my eye, and stand as good examples of the show's diversity, can be found below.
The talent and passion of tapestry artist Jon Eric Riis from Atlanta, GA. was on display and evident in all his pieces, including his pearl skull coat from 2007, which made a strong statement at the entrance to the fair.
Hostler Burrows from New York City, specializing in works by artists and architects within the modernist movement in Scandinavia, included George and the Dragon, a Jais Nielsen Royal Copenhagen ceramic sculpture from 1940, among its many pieces on display.
Vojtech Blau from NYC, specializing in antique and modern tapestries highlighted IXE, a Calder tapestry from 1971 woven in France and in an edition of 6.
"Equus," Albert Wein’s 1979 bronze sculpture mounted on a base of black marble, was being shown by Holster Fine Art from NYC, which specializes in early 19th through mid-20th century European and American sculpture.
Included among the collection of Douglas Dawson from Chicago and specializing in ethnographic arts was an earthenware, seated figure from Colombia, circa 1200 to 1400 AD.
Kevin Conru, from Brussels Belgium and specializing in primitive art, had several standout pieces including this early 20th century Mendi Shield from New Guinea.
A set of seven Tang Dynasty equestrian figures are available at Iliad, a NYC-based gallery which blends Greco-Roman and Asian antiquities with edgy cosmopolitan art and design.
An extraordinary collection of Early American flags and assorted American antiques are being shown at Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques from Dillsburg, PA.
A German Noah’s Arc, from 1880-5, complete with 180 animals as well as Noah and his wife, had to be one of the most unique pieces at the show. This was shown by Earle Vandekar of Knightsbridge, Inc. from White Plains, NY alongside a variety of other special items.
Other notable booths included:
George Subkoff Antiques from Westport, CT.
Alexander Cohane from London.
Lost City Arts from NYC.
Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques from Charleston, SC.
The Spring Show NYC runs from Thursday, April 28 to Monday, May 2. Show hours are Thursday 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $20 and a five-day pass is $40. The show is located at the Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue at E. 67th St.
Arts’ Night Out, celebrating New York’s Art and Antiques week with young new collectors, is scheduled on Friday, April 29 from 5 to 9 p.m. The $30 entrance fee available at the door includes the day’s admission to the Spring Show as well as beer, wine, and cocktails beginning at 5 p.m.
