Louis Ritman, "Honeybee's Paradise," 1914, oil on canvas, at Surovek Gallery.

furniture” and Continental examples like sideboards, chests and dining tables. In fact, this West Palm Beach–based dealer is so sought-out by collectors that he just opened a Worth Avenue gallery. Trent carries a range of important antiques from a Regency rosewood gaming table for $15,000 to a 1750 Italian lacquer secretary priced in the low six figures, although his West Palm gallery features examples somewhat lower in price.

4. Michael MacLean Antiques is noteworthy for its range of furnishings and vintage lighting. The gallery sells 17th- to 19th-century Continental furnishings and accessories. A 17th-century French walnut hall table here is $10,000 and an early 19th-century English pen work box is around $3,000.

5. The Elephant’s Foot and the Meissen Shop are excellent sources for Canton, Meissen, Spode and Mason’s Ironstone. While the Meissen Shop has recently closed its retail location, it still provides service and operates online, selling 18th-century through contemporary Meissen pieces and sets. Gruss finds the Elephant’s Foot also perfect for decorative objects like 19th-century tortoiseshell tea caddies for $2,100. The gallery also carries 18th- and 19th-century English and French furniture.

6. For Art Deco examples and 20th-century furniture and accessories, Gruss says, head to John Prinster. This specialty gallery focuses on French antiques from the 1920s through the ’40s and offers pieces by artists such as Andre Arbus, Jules Leleu and Jean Pascaud. Furniture ranges from $20,000 and up.

Gruss cites Palm Beach, America’s International Fine Art & Antique Fair as pivotal in transforming the town. “I have watched and attended the fair from its start in a temporary tent until its evolution into the premier event it is today in the spacious convention center,” she says. “It has truly added artistic luster to Palm Beach.”