Fifty of the nation’s foremost arts and antiques dealers will showcase rare period furniture, folk and fine art, ceramics, porcelain, silver, textiles and jewelry at the 49th Annual Philadelphia Antiques Show.  The event, organized by a committee of more than 200 volunteers, is widely recognized as the premier American antiques and decorative arts show in the country, and attracts thousands of visitors each year.  The 2010 show will feature a special museum-quality loan exhibit titled, A Call to Arms: Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the British and American Markets, 1700-1850.  The 49th annual show, which runs Saturday, April 17 through Tuesday, April 20, 2010, will be held at The Navy Yard.  The 2010 Philadelphia Antiques Show is presented by The Haverford Trust Company, and proceeds will establish the Penn Center for Ocular Imaging, part of Penn Medicine. 

The Philadelphia Antiques Show is the major fundraiser for Penn Medicine. Since 1962, the show has raised more than $16 million for innovative programs with a direct impact on patient care. Previous benefiting programs include Penn Center for Patient Safety and Advocacy, Penn Lung Center, Institute on Aging, and Cardiovascular Surgery. This year, proceeds will support development of the new Penn Center for Ocular Imaging.

“We are looking forward to another year as the nation’s foremost arts and antiques show,” said Show Chair Liz Cavanaugh-Kerr.  “Our deep commitment to raise money to support Penn Medicine continues to drive our dedication to present an unmatched show year after year.”

A Call to Arms: Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the British and American Markets, 1700-1850

The 2010 featured loan exhibit, A Call to Arms: Chinese Armorial Porcelain, is a tribute to antiques dealer Elinor Gordon (1918-2009), who participated in every Philadelphia Antiques Show since its inception in 1962.  Gordon was a highly respected and honored authority on Chinese export porcelain, and this year’s exhibit will fittingly showcase Chinese porcelain decorated with coats of arms and Gordon’s contribution to this field.  Porcelain in the exhibit will chronicle more than a century of coats of arms, offering glimpses into the world of 18th century life.  On loan from the museums, private collections and the Reeves Center at Washington and Lee University, the coats of arms each tell their own story – whether the person was married, what their rank or status was and information about their genealogy.  These coats of arms will be displayed in an exceptional museum-quality exhibit curated by Ron Fuchs, curator of the Reeves Collection.

“We are thrilled to announce our loan exhibit this year, A Call to Arms: Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the British and American Markets, 1700-1850,” said Show Chair Liz Cavanaugh-Kerr. “This year’s loan exhibit takes a personal turn by honoring one of our own, as a tribute to Elinor Gordon’s time with us and contributions to the world of antiques.”

2010 Beneficiary – Penn Center for Ocular Imaging

Proceeds from The 2010 Philadelphia Antiques Show will provide funding for the new Penn Center for Ocular Imaging.  The Center will include sophisticated ocular imaging instruments at the Perelman Center, the Scheie Eye Institute, and at all Penn Eye Care practices.  Computerized integration will enable images acquired at any site to be available to doctors and patients at every Penn Eye Care facility, allowing more accurate diagnoses and improved treatment.  The Center will be the most sophisticated and fully integrated ocular imaging center in the region, continuing Penn’s tradition of providing state-of-the-art vision care to the patients of the Greater Philadelphia region and beyond.

Hours and Ticket Information

Please visit www.philaantiques.com for ticket information and show hours.

A Preview Gala, to be held on Friday, April 16, 2010, at The Navy Yard, will inaugurate the four-day show and sale.

Hotel Packages

Special hotel packages are available for The Philadelphia Antiques Show starting Friday, April 16 through Tuesday, April 20, 2010.  Packages include two general admission tickets to the show, a show catalogue, and free parking at participating hotels.  For a list of hotels, please visit The Philadelphia Antiques Show Web site at www.philaantiques.com.

Complimentary Shuttle Service

The Philadelphia Antiques Show will provide complimentary shuttle service from Amtrak’s 30th Street Station to The Navy Yard beginning with the Gala Preview Reception on Friday, April 16 through Tuesday, April 20, 2010.  Shuttles will depart from Amtrak’s 30th Street Station every 15 minutes on the hour from the corner of John F. Kennedy Boulevard and 30th Street. 

For additional information or to reserve tickets for The Philadelphia Antiques Show or Gala Preview Reception, please call 215-387-3500 or visit www.philaantiques.com.  The Philadelphia Cruise Terminal at Pier One in The Navy Yard is located at 5100 South Broad Street in Philadelphia. 

About The Philadelphia Antiques Show

The Philadelphia Antiques Show, celebrating its 49th anniversary, is the premier antiques and decorative arts show in the country featuring a large selection of American antiques.  Since 1962, show proceeds have contributed more than $16 million for the advancement of patient care at Penn Medicine.  Organized by a committee of more than 200 volunteers, The Philadelphia Antiques Show features 50 of the nation’s leading antiques dealers and fine art galleries.  In 2010, the featured loan exhibit will be A Call to Arms: Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the British and American Markets, 1700-1850. Each year visitors can also choose from a wide and varied schedule of special events. The presenting sponsor for the 2010 Show is The Haverford Trust Company.  Visit The 2010 Philadelphia Antiques Show online at www.philaantiques.com.

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