Giuseppe Bottani, (Cremona 1717-1784 Mantua) depicting the Roman Gods, Mars and Mercury. The painting, probably executed in Rome between 1740-1750 in the style of Poussin, the master of pictorial classicism, is signed, reclined, and mounted in a period carved and gilded frame. Private Collection.
Norwalk, CT - The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum will host its fourth annual Antiques Appraisal Weekend and launch its first Vintage & Designer Jewelry Sale on November 5 and 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 295 West Avenue, Norwalk.
In these harsh, recessionary times, most of us could benefit from discovering that we own a priceless family heirloom or a masterpiece picked up for just a few dollars at a garage sale, as it often happens on such popular TV shows as Pawn Stars or the Antiques Roadshow. Evaluating and selling antiques and collectibles however, is not just reality TV at its best, but a tangible opportunity for anyone living in the tri-State area.
On November 5 and 6 the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum will host once again its Antiques Appraisal Weekend and an outstanding line-up of experts will be on hand for two full days to evaluate a wide range of antiques and collectibles including jewelry, fine art, furniture, books and documents, coins, pottery and China, silverware, sports memorabilia, toys, and more.
This year, this popular event will share the limelight with a Vintage & Designer Jewelry Sale, kicking off the Holiday Season with the Mansion as a ‘must go to’ shopping destination. The sale will feature a select group of sought-after designers and offer vintage and designer jewelry as well as one-of-a-kind accessories.
“I’m expecting the 2011 Antiques Appraisal Weekend to be a success, given the ever-growing popularity of shows on collectibles and online auctions, “said Joe Passero, event co-chair. “This year we decided to take advantage of its November scheduling to launch a new and exciting event, running concurrently with the appraisals, the Vintage & Designer Jewelry Sale. I believe it will delight the community at the beginning of the Holiday Season and help us raise awareness for this National Historic Landmark.”
Sponsored by Klaff's and People’s United Bank, the LMMM Antiques Appraisal Weekend will include: Braswell Galleries’ Rick Daley; Christine Downing of C. Downing Auctions; Terry Eletheriou; James Lipton; Jan Lee, owner of Sinotique, N.Y.; Kevin McClellan; Richard Murawski; Gil Rodriguez, Owner of Gilann Books; and Jeff Roseman of David Harvey Jewelers, among others. Media sponsors include Connecticut Cottages & Gardens, The Hour newspapers, and Cox Radio.
The Vintage & Designer Jewelry Sale will feature among others, Fairfield County designers Lynn Bartlett, Denise Cox, and Sue Gordon Brown as well as NY’s Anita Stern, owner of This ‘N That, a world-renowned shop located in the heart of Manhattan's Antiques District. Ms. Stern has been a resource for the past twenty years for Hollywood stylists, (her jewelry was recently seen in Cher’s movie Burlesque), fashion designers and customers interested in a wide variety of vintage and designer jewelry. Her unique accessories and profile have been featured in a multitude of publications including W Magazine, Elle, London Times, Glamour, and In Style, to name a few.
“We are thrilled to have such a remarkable line-up of appraisers and jewelry designers gathered in this iconic 19th century Landmark,” said event co-chair Linda Fontaine. “The Mansion is a breathtaking backdrop for the appraisals and a perfect venue to kick-off the Holiday shopping with one-of-a-kind purchases.”
Appraisals are $15 for a small or medium size item and $40 for large antiques such as furniture, (maximum of three appraisals). One free $15 appraisal will be available for anyone who becomes a new member of the Mansion, (an annual individual membership is $35). Jewelry and accessories start at $25. Antiques Appraisals proceeds will benefit the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum.
Braswell Galleries started in 1958 when Harvey Braswell opened a small used furniture store and auction house in Amarillo, Texas. A strong southern antique market encouraged Mr. Braswell to acquire his inventory from the Northeast and eventually the family came to the New York area where Mr. Braswell continued his business with the southern market.
In the mid 1980s, Gary Braswell opened Braswell Galleries auction house in Norwalk, CT. Since returning to Norwalk in January 2008, it has grown from a small local auction house to one of the Northeast's largest antiques and auctions centers. Braswell Galleries antiques and Estate Center is now located in The Old Norwalk Lace Factory at 1 Muller Avenue, Norwalk, CT.
Stamford, CT resident Christine Downing grew up in the antiques business, courtesy of an aunt in the business, and has been buying and selling antiques and attending shows since early childhood. She held her first tag sale at the age of nine and hasn’t looked back since.
Ms. Downing owns and operates C. Downing Auctions at 4 Taft St in Norwalk.
C. Downing Auctions offers antique and specialty auctions every four to six weeks and provides antique and collectible appraisals.
She has appeared on HGTV’s hit show Cash in the Attic as the antiques’ appraiser and on HGTV’s satellite radio station, discussing various aspects of collecting antiques and collectibles.
Terry Eletheriou started collecting and dealing in Japanese swords in 1980. From there, he moved onto all forms of Japanese art: Japanese prints, metalwork, lacquer, Satsuma, porcelain, and cloisonné.
Mr. Eletheriou studied Japanese at the Japan Society and studied the art of the sword at the Kenzan Institute. He presently deals in fine Oriental and European porcelains and art and exhibits at three major antique shows during the year. He is also one of the dealers at the Antique and Artisan Center at 69 Jefferson St. in Stamford, CT.
Jan Lee founded Sinotique in 1992, a gallery located in the heart of Chinatown and featuring classical Chinese antiques, African sculpture, natural wood forms, and contemporary art. Mr. Lee has been an exhibitor at antique shows in the Hamptons, Connecticut, and New York for over fifteen years.
When Mr. Lee is not in his Chinatown gallery or his three-story DUMBO Brooklyn location, which houses a contemporary art gallery, a warehouse, and his woodworking shop, he is attending antique shows and writing features for Connecticut Cottages and Gardens Magazine and the Sinotique blog. Jan also designs and manufactures his own line of furniture.
For the past three decades, Kevin McClellan has been a significant fixture in the business of appraising antiques. After working for Fairfield County Estate Liquidators for six years, Mr. McClellan opened Kevin McClellan Appraiser and Auctioneer in 1983 and established himself as a reliable source of verifiable valuation services for bank trust departments, estate and divorce attorneys, local historical societies, and individuals.
Designated by the American Society of Appraisers as a senior appraiser of personal property in 1988, Mr. McClellan has testified as an expert witness in court cases and has worked on some of the oldest family estates in Fairfield County, many dating back to the early 18th century. Mr. McClellan currently works as a expert appraiser for Hiden Galleries, Genesis Antiques and Greenwich Living Design Center. He lives in Norwalk, CT.
A work of art evaluated last year at LMMM for $40,000 to $60,000 is currently heading to a European auction house for a spring 2012 sale. The painting by 18th century artist Giuseppe Bottani, (Cremona 1717-1784 Mantua) depicts the Roman Gods, Mars and Mercury, in a garden with a villa in the background and a battle-ready ship at the shore.
The painting, probably executed in Rome between 1740-1750 in the style of Poussin, the master of pictorial classicism, is signed, reclined, and mounted in a period carved and gilded frame.
Richard Murawski, a coin dealer for over 10 years, operates a Coin & Collectibles Shop in Watertown, CT. His primary activity is buying and selling U.S. and foreign coins, including gold and silver coins. Additionally, the store features sports memorabilia, baseball cards, comic books, and antique toys. Rick is President of the Litchfield County Coin Club and is a member of the American and Canadian Numismatic Associations.
Gil Rodriguez opened Gilann Books of Darien in 1975. It was a summer bookshop at first, but due to its success, the business eventually expanded to a shop opened year-round that took Mr. Rodriguez to antiquarian book and ephemera fairs locally and nationally. Although his specialty is art and illustrated books, Mr. Rodriguez deals in all kinds of books.
A member of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America and the Ephemera Society of America, he has been very active in Fairfield County and has provided books, illustrations, and autograph material for exhibitions at the Darien Library, the Darien Town Hall, the Ferguson Library, the Norwalk Library, the Rowayton Library, the New Canaan Library, and the Ridgefield Library.
For a complete list of appraisers, jewelry designers, and information on their schedule at the Mansion, please visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com. The museum will be closed for tours on both days of appraisals on November 5th and 6th.
During the Antiques Appraisal Weekend the Museum Shop will be open to the public and offer an eclectic array of educational gifts and treasures to reflect the holiday spirit as well as the Museum's featured exhibits. Victorian-style doll books and reproduction antique dolls will be on sale with other popular seasonal items such as ornaments, wreaths, gift baskets, tabletop decorations, children’s gifts, jewelry, and more. All proceeds will benefit the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum.
