There’s nothing we love more than looking at and shopping for stuff, particularly if it also involves getting gussied up and more than a smidgeon to nosh on to fortify us for all that seeing and being seen.
So needless to say we were tickled to be invited to “Tbe Greenwich Winter Antiques Show,” held last weekend at the Eastern Civic Center in Old Greenwich as part of The Greenwich Historical Society’s “Antiquarius 2019.”
Picture 39 high-end vendors of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, textiles and historical memorabilia in a warm, festive Christmas setting. From Jean Schlumberger enameled bangles to vintage Louis Vuitton handbags to melting short ribs and savory shortbread cookies from Watson’s Catering, we just couldn’t get enough of the show and the gracious gallery owners and dealers, who were most gallant to us.
The opening night reception featured honorary design chairman, event planner extraordinaire Bronson Van Wyck, who charmed one and all with his remarks and hoot of a new book, “Born to Party, Forced to Work,” which we wrote about in November WAG.
Among the most interesting booths was that of Jeff R. Bridgman of Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques in York County, Pennsylvania, who dispelled many of the myths about the early iterations of the Stars and Stripes. For instance, there was no set pattern for the 13 stars representing the original colonies. Late-19th century versions of the original flag often used the 3-2-3-2-3 pattern. Bridgman also had a host of women’s suffrage memorabilia — which you’ll be hearing a lot about, particularly in WAG’s salute to the Roaring ’20s in our January “20/20 Visions” issue – as next year marks the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in the United States. The historical society will pay tribute to the courage, perseverance and skill of the women – and men – who brought us all to victory with “An Unfinished Revolution: The Woman’s Suffrage Centennial” (Feb. 5 through Sept. 6), which looks at the active role many prominent Greenwich women played in the struggle for enfranchisement, including art collector – and great friend of artist Mary Cassatt – Louisine Havemeyer and Rosemary Hall headmistress Caroline Ruutz-Rees.
In the meantime, “Antiquarius 2019” is not quite over. This year’s “Holiday House Tour,” which includes a house adorned by WAG favorite Val Morano Sagliocco of Morano Garden Landscape Design in Mamaroneck, takes place Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a luncheon from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. at The Mill Club in Greenwich.
For ticket prices and reservations, call the historical society at (203)-869-6899 or email vbruzzese@greenwichhistory.org.
– Georgette Gouveia
