From estate jewelry to innovative art, the Philadelphia show showcases a treasure trove of collectibles
Kerry G. Stephens
3 min read
If you’re into art, antiques, and design, and you’re near Philadelphia this weekend, set your coordinates for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, or, more specifically, the East Terrace at the top of the famous Rocky Pas. This is where you’ll find a 26,000 square foot tent housing the Philadelphia Show, which runs April 29 through May 1 with a select group of the country’s top dealers exhibiting pieces from the 17and century to the present day.
SJ shrub sole
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The show, which was founded in 1962 to benefit the University Hospital, “certainly started out as an antiques show,” said show manager Huntley Platt. “Even today you will see that the heart and soul of this fair is antiques. However, there were many wonderful additions from art and design dealers to the show. It’s traditionally an American living room, but there are also dealers selling European furniture and Asian ceramics, and, of course, jewelry.
james robinson
Jewelery enthusiasts will likely recognize the cohort of reputable antique and vintage jewelery dealers exhibiting at this year’s event, including Kentshire, SJ Shrubsole and James Robinson. Platt notes that the show will be a particularly good place to find jewelry with an American flair, as well as pieces celebrating the city of brotherly love. She referred to an 18k gold and diamond brooch centered on an exquisite aquamarine, made in Philadelphia in 1910 by JE Caldwell and now gifted by James Robinson.
kentshire
The exhibits even include works of art that celebrate the form of jewelry. Philadelphia-based Dolan/Maxwell Gallery, for example, is showing a piece titled “Jeweled Eyes” by Rachel Selekman, a Philadelphia native who lives in Brooklyn, creating 3D sculptures and collages with an intriguing use of materials and technical.
Dolan Maxwell
If you attend the show which is celebrating its 60th anniversaryand anniversary this year, don’t miss the loan exhibition of 14 works presented on a special platform built on top of the famous terrace fountain. Called “Zero to Sixty”, it pays homage to the history of the show by presenting loan exhibitions each year.
The star piece is “a miniature portrait of an unknown gentleman from 1807,” says Platt. “He’s wearing these blue sunglasses and his hair is crazy and he looks like he just got out of a convertible.”
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