On Location: The 56th Annual Winter Antiques Show
Park Avenue Armory, New York. January 22-31
By Louise Devenish

The staff at 1stdibs would like to extend a big welcome to our readers, designers and dealers throughout the country with a special invitation to attend the 56th Annual Winter Antiques Show of which 1stdibs is a proud sponsor.

As many of you are already aware, The Winter Antiques Show is considered the crème de la crème of decorative art events, as it is the highlight of the winter social season in a locale to which people travel from warmer climates to brave the arctic blasts that descend upon New York in January so they can take part in the stimulating atmosphere, lively dinners, parties, auctions and to view the splendors of this 10-day event.

This year’s show promises to be particularly exciting. For the first time in its history, the show has extended its parameters for exhibited objects to the year 1969. This opens up the show to not only exhibitors dealing in fine antiques, but to dealers of 20th-century design – giving us the opportunity to enjoy the very best of the old and traditional alongside items of fine contemporary design. Everything in the show is for purchase and is vetted by a team of expert curators and knowledgeable professionals. No reproductions are allowed.
Additionally, there will be an amazing loan exhibition from the great homes of Historic New England, an organization that is celebrating its centennial anniversary. The exhibition alone is worth a trip to the show where many of the treasures of New England have been carefully selected and transported for viewing. What better way is there to cheer up a wintery weekend!

Traveling from Boston will be Historic New England President and CEO Carl Nold, and curator Nancy Carlisle – along with several members of the organization.
Their exhibit, “Colonial to Modern,” promises something to delight everyone – my personal preference is the superb Amethyst Window, designed in 1921 by Henry Davis Sleeper, for my favorite New England home: Historic Beauport, in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

And for a totally different aesthetic (but no less stunning) is the pair of Butterfly Stools designed by Sori Yanagi in 1915, from the celebrated Gropius House in Lincoln, Massachusetts.

Whether you are coming to admire or to buy something sensational for your home or collection, the young students from The East Side Settlement House in the South Bronx appreciate your attendance, as all proceeds from the show will benefit their organization. The East Side Settlement House not only offers kids the support they need in their daily lives, it provides technical and computer training to better prepare the youths for the challenges of the 21st century.

We look forward to seeing you there, and for all those who unfortunately cannot attend, please enjoy this mini preview.