“In addition to serving as a fundraiser for the Houston Museum, our annual Antique Show & Sale is almost like a family reunion for us, because it draws art glass lovers, glass professionals, and antique collectors from all over the Southeast,” said Amy Autenreith, executive director of the Houston Museum. “Presenting an annual event uninterrupted for 46 years feels pretty special. We see old friends we’ve known for years and fresh faces that are just beginning to explore this field that we love. It’s a very special time.”
The show is a perennial favorite, drawing antique collectors from throughout the region. Exhibitors will include dozens of booths offering a wide and varied selection of jewelry, furniture, rugs, African art, art pottery, glass from some of the country’s top antiques dealers and glass specialists. Two restoration experts will provide consultations on metal items, such as plate, coin and brass, as well as on porcelain, pottery and glass crystal.
This year’s event will also include an antique appraisal fair on Saturday, February 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring appraisers who work around the region.
“We’re very excited to offer expert appraisals again, which is something people have requested,” said Autenreith. “It’s not the first time we have offered appraisals, but we haven’t done it recently, and people let us know they were missed.”
Pre-registration for appraisals is required. Guests can bring up to three objects for appraisal, at a cost of $25 per object. Email houstonmuseumchattanooga@gmail.com for more information.
Objects that can be appraised are furniture (photos are okay if the object is too large), glass, porcelain, silver, art, Asian items, oriental rugs, documents. Some types of objects that cannot be appraised include Native American items, firearms, pre-Columbian artifacts and fossils.
On Thursday, February 27, the Show & Sale kicks off with a preview party that is not included in the general admission price. Preview party tickets are $75, which includes unlimited access to all three days of the event.
For more information, call (423) 267-7176 or e-mail houstonmuseumchattanooga@gmail.com.
Visit www.thehoustonmuseum.org.
by Rich Bailey