Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antiques Show; Some Observations
February 22nd, 2008 by admin
Glitz, high prices, but where’s the (decorative arts) beef? The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antiques Show over President’s Day Weekend was just that: magnificent jewelry, beautiful art, but what about furniture and decorative arts. The show’s title gave equal billing to that aspect of the trade, but from what I saw, it was sadly lacking any real presents at the show.
There was a smattering of decorative arts dealers in attendance, representing a limited number of styles and periods, with little or no duplication of dealers showing similar periods. Compared to the many jewelry and painting dealers that offered works of art that one could put side by side to judge before buying, it was a big disappointment. Does this imply that furniture is too difficult to sell, or is there a lack of dealers able to prepare and finance the cost of this type of show? I don’t quite know the answer, but having a booth with 500 pieces of jewelry should be a lot easier to set up and transport. It allows more items for buyers to see than stocking the same space with clunky furniture items that are difficult to prepare for shipping, and take up space that limits the number of items available to sell.
But there is another side to this dilemma. We see that shows that don’t cater to the well healed Palm Beach crowd do attract furniture dealers, abet mostly 20th century dealers. The Stella Pier Shows in New York City seem to have vast quantities of furniture, jewelry, and all sorts of decorative and fine arts, but not necessarily the great quality that you see at Palm Beach. There is a significant division of the trade and its clients between the two types of fairs.
I have a theory why this is the case. When you examine the type of person who walks the aisles of a Palm Beach Show, you have a real “moneyed” crowd who are for the most part collectors and or have consultants or decorators who they rely on for an affirmation of what is appropriate. Of course you also have the rich guys who want to embellish their wife (?) or significant other with a spontaneous and impressive gift of a necklace or ring. No consultant necessary here! But for these same people, buying a Georgian dining table for a couple of hundred thousand dollars would require a decorator’s nod.
You see this aspect at every upscale show where expensive furniture is on display. Jewelry and art have a much more emotional pull at the point of purchase. That feeling isn’t so prevalent with English, French and furniture styles in general, as the collectors of those styles have given way to the decorator’s preference of what is appropriate.
While I enjoy going to show, both upscale and middle of the road, my goal is to see what’s available and at what price, similar to how I look at auction results (once I add on the buyer’s premium). The second reason is to get a sounding board as to how dealers are doing and what fields are doing well and those that aren’t. Conversations with the dealers of all price and style points can sometimes be more valuable than a good purchase. It may well prepare me for understanding the future trends and sentiments in the industry, and the knowledge of what is really best for the direction of my business. For me at this show, dealer conversations were more enlightening than the potential for purchases.
auctionwally wrote on 02/24/08 at 4:21 am :
Your article is spot on with what we have been finding up North here in New England for quite a while now.
Antique furniture prices and interest at shows and auctions has been on the decline for the past few years.
I believe this is due to dealer interest in smalls for eBay, and the downsizing housing situation.
I have a saying that in this buisness, “where go the dealers, so goes the market”.
This is great for people looking to furnish their homes in antiques, but hurtful to furniture dealers, obviously.
Another problem I see in the Antiques business, is the lack of younger people coming into the business. I’d urge dealers and shop owners to do what they can to change that.
AW
Archie wrote on 02/25/08 at 3:22 pm :
The post was an interesting read. The decline in the interest towards art is a serious thing to be considered. People must come forward to encourage art and more events and exhibitions should be organized where beginners can display their talents.
Bill Underwood wrote on 11/19/09 at 5:38 pm :
I invite you to share information with your readers about the upcoming 28th annual Palm Beach Winter Antiques Show. This is a smaller show than what you’ll find at the convention centers (it is held at the Crowne Plaza in West Palm Beach), but one that is held in high regard. Indeed, you will find some of the same names at this show Jan. 15-17 that you will find at the bigger events: A.B. Levy Palm Beach, Nula Thanhauser, Hamershere Gallery and others. This show has always been known as a ‘buying’ show, and it’s quite delightful. The entire hotel, from the lobby to the ballroom, is transformed into an elegant antiques bazzar, with dealers from around the world offering the finest in antiques. This year we will have a special section, “a touch of vintage,” which will offer items from the 30s and 40s. A preview party Jan. 14 will benefit ArtStart, a non-profit whose mission is to provide educational opportunities in the arts, working primarily with kids at the lower end of the socio-economic scale. Honorary Chairs are A. Donny and Eliane Strosberg of Palm Beach and Paris. http://www.ZitaWatersBell.com. Thank you.