My booth on Sunday afternoon

The Miami National Antiques Show took place this past weekend, January 28-30, 2011. The show looked great with many fine dealers displaying important items. Show attendance was up from last year, but that’s a bit misleading as attendance was quite low last year. But these are steps in the right direction – more exhibitors, better exhibitors, and increased attendance. The promoter, Rosemary Krieger, did her job. The problem is you can bring a horse to water — well, you know the rest.

I can’t figure out what’s happened to the buyers at this show. They used to be fairly sophisticated and well-to-do, but that seems to have changed. Now I get questions like “Are those Carnival Glass?”, pointing to my collection of Tiffany Favrile glass. I exhibited some of the finest items I’ve ever owned, with hardly a reaction. At least, there should have been lots of oohs and ahs, even if they didn’t result in sales, but there were very few. My show was poor. In speaking to several other dealers, their results were tepid. I did hear second-hand that jewelry dealers were doing better.

Fantastic Daum Nancy mushroom vase with applied handles

It wasn’t a total disaster for me as I bought well. That’s half the battle. Ultimately I’ll sell those items, so that counts towards the results for my show. I’ll exhibit at the show again, but with lowered expectations.

This coming week is the big, much anticipated Original Miami Beach Antiques Show. It begins on Thursday, February 3, and lasts for five days. I suspect the results will be significantly better. If you haven’t ever visited this show, make your plans immediately. It’s a huge show, with fantastic merchandise. Buyers fly in from all over the world, so you’ll be in good company.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Tiffany, Daum, Gallé, Webb and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve recently listed many of them on my website, including Daum swans, rain, a Gallé monumental red vase — more each day, plus a killer red Tiffany Favrile vase and a millifiori vase. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com