Did Not Make it to Church This Morning

Did not make it to church this morning but did make it to the Cathedral Antiques Show in Atlanta this weekend, a whirlwind week of parties, tours, an “Inspiration House” of Atlanta’s up and coming design talent, and lectures lectures by Richard Keith Langham, Jeffrey Bilhuber, and Veranda’s Deborah Sanders. They all three couldn’t have been more different, and all three couldn’t have been better. Keith and Jeffrey absolutely brought the sanctuary down. I say sanctuary because they spoke in the Cathedral of St. Phillip itself, not the easiest acoustics in the world. In all, so many people involved – volunteers – who work their bottoms off – what a great effort, and it showed. It also reminded me, fresh from the Winter Antiques Show in New York where prices start at 72 million dollars, that there are some very good buys in antiques in other parts of the country.

A showcase of porcelain, priced mostly in the mid-3 figures at the Cathedral Antiques Show, Atlanta.

This period Georgian end table was a beaut, and under $1,500. Not cheap, certainly; but not crazy, and it has real intrinsic value.

I love how the legs extend with the drawer. I would line the drawer with a pretty fabric or paper and leave it open and stacked with books. The tray top also makes it great for a bedside table..

If you are in the market for a piece or two, I strongly advise you to shop these regional antiques shows and markets, particularly in the Southeast. The Midwest, too, apparently. The Omaha, Nebraska, Lauritzen Gardens Antique & Garden show is coming in September, and it is meant to be very good. There is also that huge jewelry store Borsheim’s in Omaha, now owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. Reportedly the only store that sells more jewelry in the country is the Tiffany’s on Fifth Avenue. How ’bout that.

Speaking of silver, this early 19th century American silver service made me swoon. It had been in the owner’s family for four generations, but they kept hiding it away in the attic, alas, and finally decided to sell it.

This 1820 American silver service was exquisite, although missing the coffee pot. I love the melon shape, and the fruit compote tops on the teapot and sugar bowl are rarely seen. The teapot spout, holding the strainer, is a dragon - auspicious in the Chinese Year of the Dragon and well-priced in the upper four figures for the whole set.

This Japanned bamboo desk was to die, and a good buy in the low four figures. Come to think of it there were some wonderful smaller bamboo pieces in the show as well. Something very charming about them, and useful. A next big thing?

4 comments

  1. Hello, Frances. We (Theo and I) didn’t get to church either; however, we did get out and walk about “church time” – enjoyed being in the presence of the spirit by the water at Atlantic Beach. Hope you are well. We are enjoying your blog.

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