Tin, the traditional gift for a 10th wedding anniversary, is known for its soft material that is said to represent the flexible, yet durable qualities of an enduring relationship. It is no coincidence that fanciful tin objects will be exhibited among an array of “best of” Americana at the opening night gala for the American Antiques Show (TAAS), which will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary.
The show takes place during Americana Week in New York City, this week, January 20-23. The show features 300 years of great American designs, including folk art, furniture, fine and decorative arts, American arts and crafts, and American Indian art. It is known for its distinguished roster of all-American dealers who consistently receive accolades for bringing objects of history, design, imagination, and surprise, the "Best of America," to the show.
Interior Designers' Committee Chair Miles Redd put together a series of Designers' Book Signings to take place Friday, January 21 and Saturday, January 22, 11 am - 5 pm. Guests have the opportunity to meet interior designers and authors of the best new books on design and decorating: Sherrill Canet, A La Carte: The Elements of an Elegant Home; William Diamond and Anthony Baratta, All-American: The Exuberant Style of William Diamond and Anthony Baratta; Diane McManus Jensen, The Art of Collecting; Susan Mulcahy, Drawing Fashion: The Art of Kenneth Paul Block; Scott Sanders, Picture Perfect: Designing the New American Family Home; Solis Betancourt & Sherrill, Essential Elegance: The Interiors of SolÃs Betancourt; Matthew White, Italy of My Dreams; and Vincente Wolf, Photographs of Myself and Others: the Vincente Wolf Collection.
Additional programming and special events include:
A Preview Walking Tour of the Show with Stacy C. Hollander on Thursday January 20, 9:30-10:45 am, $80 general, $65 members, seniors, and students, includes a light breakfast. A tour of TAAS highlights before the show opens to the general public, led by the museum’s senior curator.
Insider’s Day of Art and Antiques: Exclusive Tours and Private Collections on Friday, January 21, 9:30 am, $135 museum members only. A daylong excursion including a private home collection visit, an insider’s view of TAAS with curator emerita Lee Kogan, and more.
What Is It? What Is It Worth? Appraisal Day on Saturday, January 22, 9:30 - 11 am, $45 general, $40 members, seniors, and students, includes a light breakfast
The mix of Americana and American folk art on view includes 18th century furniture; striking folk paintings; anniversary tin; dynamic sculpture (such as decoys, weathervanes, trade signs and show figures, carousel animals, 20th century three-dimensional objects); textiles (schoolgirl needlework, samplers, quilts, and rugs); American Indian material; Shaker furniture; game boards; tramp art; toys; jewelry; idiosyncratic works of art; and decorative art such as silver, glass, and Tiffany lamps.
Daily admission to The American Antiques Show is $20 and includes a show catalog and 2-for-1 admission ticket to visit the American Folk Art Museum, 45 West 53 Street. A free shuttle bus will run daily between the Metropolitan Pavilion and the American Folk Art Museum. Show opens at 11 am each day and runs through 8 pm except Saturday (7pm) and Sunday (5pm).
