The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show, the largest and most significant event of its kind in the US, completed the 2013 show reporting a record-breaking crowd of 57,000 attendees over Presidents’ Day Weekend (February 15-19, 2013). With over 175 exceptional exhibitors, the 10th Anniversary Show produced strong sales accompanied by a dynamic VIP program and a Lecture Series that was celebrated by both patrons and the press.

On Friday, February 15, The Palm Beach Jewelry Art & Antique Show hosted an Opening Night Preview Party which brought more than 5,000 VIP’s to preview the collections of the finest group of exhibitors ever brought together in the U.S. VIP guests enjoyed champagne and hors d’oeuvres while admiring the beautiful transformation of the Palm Beach County Convention Center’s 100,000 sq. ft. Exhibit Hall with lush, white-carpeted aisles and extravagant floral arrangements. The exquisite evening was only the beginning of what would be a standout weekend -showcasing Palm Beach as the most important jewelry, art and antique show destination in the world.

Prominent collectors from around the globe were in attendance at the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show including, Lars Bolander. Countess deSuiza, Jackie and Rod Drake, Sam and Libby Edelman, Annette Friedland, Martin and Audrey Gruss, Susan Gutfreund, George and Marina Kaufman, Susan Keenan, Bill Koch, John Loring, George and Carla Mann, Tom McCarter, Hilary and Wilbur Ross, Bill Secord, Steve Spilman, and David Yurman among many others.

Once again joining forces with the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show, Hope For Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) was able to build on the success of the 2012 inaugural Hope Designer Showcase by expanding the vignettes and adding designers and event planners to the mix this year. The Hope Designer Showcase was viewed by thousands throughout the weekend and items literally sold from the room settings as visitors saw how art and antiques enhanced today’s lifestyles.

Hope for Depression Research Foundation also had an excellent response to the inaugural Hope Silent Auction, as guests enjoyed the thrill of exploring the aisles to find and bid on the featured auction items at the 65 participating exhibitor booths.

Audrey Gruss, Founder and Chairman of HDRF stated, “Hope For Depression Research Foundation was pleased to be featured as charity partner for a second year and we look forward to a partnership again in 2014.”

Throughout the duration of the show exhibitors expressed a wide-range of admirable praise based on their experiences and interactions, from exemplary sales and promotion, to the lavish design and accommodations of the show:

“This year’s show was an amazing experience,” stated Howard Rehs of New York- based Rehs Galleries. “The crowds were not only huge, but many came to buy and the did. We had the best show ever and sold in all levels… and this is not only the best show in Palm Beach, but this is the best show we have ever had in more than 25 years!”

“The show was elegant and deliberate, the dealers were so carefully selected and spanned so many genres – I was just amazed at the breadth of collections this show offers,” stated Dallas-based interior designer, John Bobbitt.

“The gate was amazing, not only were there hoards of customers, but they were interested and truly knowledgeable,” stated Susan Stone of Eve Stone Antiques. “I think the show proves that finally the economic tide is turning. It may not be the same as it was, but it shows to be significantly better when that many qualified people walk through the door of a show.”

“By far, this is the best show we have ever had – we conducted more sales than ever! It is evident that this show has entered a new level – there is nothing like this in the country. The buyers were certainly here,” stated David Rosenberg of Rosenberg Diamonds & Co.

Gregg Whittecar of Gallery of Amazing Things stated “Great show…one of the best in recent years!”

Paul Vandekar of Earle Vandekar of Knightsbridge said, “We really enjoyed this year’s Palm Beach Show – the attendance was quite good and we were constantly engaged by our clients and visitors to the booth.”

“This will go down as the best Palm Beach show we have ever done,” stated Tom Veilleux of Tom Veilleux Gallery.

Greg Kwiat ,CEO of Fred Leighton said “We had a fantastic show this year. We had a great response to our Fred Leighton vintage jewelry, the Kwiat diamond collection and the new Fred Leighton Collection. We had a number of important sales and met several new clients, with whom we will no doubt have a long future. The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show continues to prove itself as the premiere event of its kind. Bravo on a job well done.”

“What a show! The crowds were phenomenal and so enthusiastic,” stated Deborah Wilson of Vendome, a California based jeweler.

Joseph Hayes of David Brooker Fine Art stated, “ This seemed to be the show of pairs – every English landscape piece I sold accompanied at least another piece. We are so pleased with the turnout.”

“This show was fantastic. The crowd was amazing and I am walking away with amazing sales and many new clients. What more could you ask for?” said Gavin Spanierman of Gavin Spanierman Ltd.

“The quality and mix of merchandise is better than ever before,” stated Gus Davis of Camilla Dietz Bergeron. “Having the Hope For Depression Research Foundation benefit, as well as the Designer Showcase by world renowned designers, was a fantastic addition to the show.”

“As the roster of dealers continues to improve the Palm Beach Show is distancing itself from the competition and turning into THE destination show in Florida,” stated Benjamin Macklowe of Macklowe Gallery.

“The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show had an extraordinary attendance of informed and interested buyers. No exhibitor could ask for more. The Palm Beach Show Group has outdone themselves. We had an excellent show!” stated Jacqueline Smelkinson of Moylan-Smelkinson The Spare Room.

“This is our 10th year participating at the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show and it’s been a great run,” stated Aurora Dugan of Toulouse Antique Gallery. “Every year this show grows to a higher level and the clients recognize and appreciate that. We look forward to another 10 years!”

More than 175 participating national and international galleries exhibited a wide variety of works from American art, French sculpture, Asian antiquities, Majolica, Tiffany glass, contemporary art, estate jewelry, European silver and much more. Sales were particularly heavy on Opening Night and continued at substantial pace throughout the weekend with many important sales occurring on the last day of the show.

Sales Highlights Include:

Palm Beach- based Ashley John Gallery sold an oil on canvas by Fern Coppedge (1853-1951) titled The Harbor Quay for an asking price of $98,500.

New York based Rehs Galleries sold an important oil on canvas by French artist Jean Baptiste Camille Corot (1796-1875) for an undisclosed amount. Rehs also reported the sales of many significant contemporary paintings including, Erik Koeppel’s Along the Hudson, Chris Pousette-Dart’s oil on canvas, Neruda Series – Untitled 3, and Brian O’Neill’s oil on masonite, Infinity.

New York based Macklowe Gallery brought many different collecting categories to the show and was happy to report the sales of some of everything: Art Nouveau furniture, art glass, sculpture and lighting, Tiffany lamps, glass and metalwork and antique and estate jewelry. Notably, the sale of a group of six Alphonse Mucha lithographs, including his famous set “The Four Seasons” was reported for an undlsclosed six-figure amount.

London based Michael Goedhuis sold a pencil on paper sketching by Qiu Jie (1961-?) titled The Perfume of the Lotus Pond (2010) with an asking price of $35,000.

New York based Drucker Antiques sold a collection of vintage necklaces by Constance Abernathy for an undisclosed amount.

Philadelphia based McCarty Gallery sold an oil on canvas by American artist George Constant titled The Red Robe.

Connecticut based Roberto Freitas American Antiques & Decorative Arts sold a captivating watercolor by Andrew Wyeth titled Beach Scene to a private collector. Also reported was the sale of an important Isaac Sheffield painting, Portrait of a Young Charles Henry Mallory, and a wonderful Chinese cloisonné enamel vase (c. 1850) to an undisclosed museum curator.

New York- based Gavin Spanierman Ltd. sold an important Albert Bierstadt oil on canvas painting titled Storm Passing, Colorado Rockies circa 1875 for an asking price of $600,000.

Paris based Galerie Vivendi sold a mixed media on canvas by French artist Jean Paul Donadini.

New York based Schillay Fine Art sold a captivating acrylic on paper by Sam Francis Untitled (1975) with an asking price of $75,000.

Coral Gables based Valerio Antiques sold a mesmerizing etching on paper by French artist Jean Dupas depicting a female figure holding a clock (1929).

Sarasota based Tomlinson Antiques sold a monumental pair of Italian bronze urns circa 1900 with an asking price of $12,500.

Santa Barbara based Vendome sold many great one of a kind collectible pieces including an inconic Angela Cummings jade cuff to longtime collectors, a beautiful pair of Marchak earrings rom the 1950s, and a rare pair of carved emerald, onyx and coral Revival ear pendants.  

Tom Veilleux Gallery, based in Portland, Maine, reported the sales of many fine pieces of American art, including a bronze on onyx base sculpture by American artist Elie Nadelman titled Wounded Stag (c. 1915) and a charming Andrew Wyeth painting titled Turner’s Mill (c. 1973).

New York based Earle Vandekar of Knightsbridge sold items from across their inventory including a set of mid-19th century watercolour paintings, a fantastic creamware basket from the 18th century, Chinese export porcelain, an important Garniture of Regency Spode Porcelain Imari vases, as well as their entire inventory of painting by American artist Ralph Cahoon.

London based Mallett Antiques sold a set of polished iron French Garden chairs circa 1880 to a New York collector.

Philadelphia based Colm Rowan Fine Arts reported the sales of several Masterworks by Ken Hamilton (195- ) including The Ballerina for an undisclosed amount.

Boca Raton based Raymond Lee Jewelers sold a very desirable discontinued 5136 Patek Philippe for an undisclosed price to a private Palm Beach collector.

Miami jeweler, Steven Neckman Inc., sold an important Boucheron suite of jewelry to a Miami Beach private collector for an undisclosed amount.

Connecticut based Cavalier Galleries sold an ilfochrome photograph taken by Steve McCurry titled Afghan Girl with Hands on Face, Ed. with an asking price of $10,000.

Chicago based The Chicago Gallery sold an original lithograph by Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) titled Enfants Jouant a la Balle with an asking price of $185,000.

London based Peter Finer Fine Arms & Armour sold a French Model Armour for Man and Horse in the late 16th century style by E. Granger, Paris circa 1850 for an undisclosed price.

CEO and President of the Palm Beach Show Group, Scott Diament shared his passionate response to the success of the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show’s tenth edition:

“The Palm Beach Show exceeded all possible expectations for its 10th anniversary year, smashing through every record including parking, attendance and most importantly sales. The collectors came in droves and left with hoards of treasures. We are looking forward to the 11th edition, taking place February 14-18, 2014.”

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