ANTIQUES – 20th Century Dominates 2011 Top Antiques List

Here’s my annual list of what I think folks will be looking for and finding in the antique shops this season.
1. Chinese Republic (1912-1949): Some pieces will be marked “China” or “Made in China.” Even the new Chinese middle class has found new respect for the quality of the items from this period. Many pieces were warehoused during the Sino-American diplomatic freeze after the communists chased the republic over to Taiwan. Then, they burst on the scene with the Detente of the 1970s.
2. Americana: All things American are internationally collectible. There is tremendous interest in American country accessories, especially “primitive” (handmade) items. Look for treen (carved wood), fractors (hand painted documents), maps, quilts, samplers, pottery, crockery, kitchen implements, tools, nautical items, anything that suggests this country’s earlier hard-working roots.
3. Modernism (1919-1969): Call it Bauhaus, Art Deco, 1940’s Moderne, or Biomorphic Fifties , or even Doo-wop. It’s futuristic and optimistic, and rarely a week goes by without some magazine or newspaper featuring an article about the return of some retro style.
4. Religious Items: Whatever the reason for it – devotional, scholarly or aesthetic – this is a trend that explores all religions, from mainstream to tribal. Look mostly for statuary, artwork, but also for ecclesiastical and liturgical items like candlesticks, vases, incense burners, textiles, etc.
5. Mid-Century High Style (1945-1965): For who weren’t doing Modern 50 years ago, this was the high quality, in-your-face traditional style in furniture, fashion and jewelry. Think Stork Club, El Morocco, Gi-Gi and American in Paris. Look for estate jewelry from when gold was $32 an ounce by law, and lots of that stunning Empire and Louis-the-whatever furniture sometimes called “decorator French.
6. Books and Writing: Any first edition is sought after, especially American authors. Also look for high quality gilt and leather bindings, miniature books, children’s books, cook books, and books with famous illustrators. Original jackets are a plus. Collectors also want writing-related items — desks and desk sets, inkwells, pens, bookends and paperweights.
7. Artful Metals (1870s-1930s): The rise in the value of precious metals has collectors looking at all metals – bronze, copper, tin, cast and wrought iron, etc., especially when they are artfully crafted. Look for doorstops, door knockers, cloisonne, champleve, tole.
8. Architectural and Garden: Old wrought and cast iron is particularly popular now — fences, gates, pickets, plant stands. Creative decorators are finding new uses for porch columns, garden statuary, jardinieres, cement urns, doorknobs, gingerbread, newell posts, barnsiding, old furniture ormolu and applied wood decoration. It’s an upside-down world. What was once outside is inside and vice-versa.
9. American Pottery: Collector are really noticing the really stylish designs of ceramics made in California during this period. Look out too for the neat design put out by some companies you may not have considered – Camark, RumRill, Abingdon, Gonder, et al. Still relatively inexpensive, these are some of the best buys on the market.
10. Depression Glass: Now that the craze has quieted down and prices have leveled off, collectors are tiptoing back to this once volatile field. The demand for color has given it a boost. Look for interest to expand beyond the regular patterns and colors to things like Fire King Tulip and Peach Luster and refrigerator dishes.
The season gets into full swing at the Avalon Show in Community Hall at 30th Street and the Beach this Saturday (May 28). I’ll be there to appraise whatever you bring in from 10 am to 2 pm. Hope to see you there.
And a very happy season of antiquing for everyone!
Arthur Schwerdt, a certified appraiser is the author of “The Antique Story Book: Finding the Real Value of Old Things,” and co-owner of the August Farmhouse Antiques on Route 9 in Swainton. Send your comments, questions and appraisal requests to aschwerdt@cmcherald.com