Seeking Treasure Island
January 2007
“There’s nothing like Palm Beach in terms of worldly, sophisticated taste coupled with a fresh,
young approach,” says philanthropist Audrey Butvay Gruss, the Gala Chair of Palm Beach, America’s International Fine Art & Antique Fair (Feb. 3–11). Though her primary residence is in Manhattan, where she is a patron of the Frick and the Met, among other institutions, Gruss finds that Palm Beach offers a wide variety of experiences in the visual and performing arts. “One minute, you’re seeing a grand Verdi opera, the next you’re at a Ming porcelain museum exhibition worthy of one of the great European capitals, and then later you spy a rare 18th-century Italian sconce tucked away in a local antiques shop.” Gruss and her financier husband, Martin, both active collectors, have watched the local arts scene develop since the days when they were first attracted to Palm Beach for its equestrian activities and events. A part-time resident for two decades, Gruss contributed to this landscape with her resources and honed eye; she helped found the city’s Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, which opened in 1992. For her acumen, she credits her husband, a collector of Old Master paintings and 18th-century English furniture, as well as the late interior designer Mark Hampton. “Traveling with Mark was like getting a master’s degree,” she says. “Over the past 20 years, I’ve bought from probably everyone. Real treasures can be found on Antiques Row and beyond, though not everything is an absolute rarity,” says Gruss, referring to South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, which is home to more than 50 antiques dealers and specialty shops. This stretch alone is reason enough for venturing out beyond the fairs to seek local treasures, but Gruss gives six more:
1. “Worth Avenue has the warmest, friendliest staffs I’ve ever experienced,” Gruss says of this area, which is known for its jewelry. “L’Etoile Royale is excellent for vintage Van Cleef & Arpels and other period examples. And if you can’t catch Richters on Worth Avenue, head to their stand at the fair.”
2. For painting and sculpture, Gruss favors Gasiunasen Gallery, Wally Findlay Galleries and John H. Surovek Gallery. If you are a collector of Modern and contemporary art, visit Gasiunasen for Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Jim Dine and Fernando Botero. Currently for sale is Roy Lichtenstein’s 1990 three-dimensional, wall relief “Suspended Mobile” ($300,000). Wally Findlay Galleries feature Impressionists, Post-Impressionists and Modern masters as well as contemporary art. At press time, the gallery is offering a $1.2-million 1935 Raoul Dufy landscape “Le Train” as well as Nicola Simbari’s latest palette knife oils and acrylics ($20,000–$80,000). And John Surovek, which carries 19th- and 20th-century American paintings, is showcasing two Maurice Prendergast oils: his 1918 “Picnic” ($1.3 million) and a smaller 1907 seascape ($375,000) [Surovek refuses to have prices published]. In addition, Surovek carries works by Winslow Homer and George Bellows while he represents the estate of William Glackens.
3. N.P. Trent Antiques is a must-visit, says Gruss, for those interested in “good brown
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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.”
Brook S. Mason is Art & Antiques Chief Correspondent.PALM BEACH MUST-VISITS
(Area code 561, unless otherwise noted)
►Gasiunasen Gallery
415 Hibiscus Ave
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German musical automaton clock, c. 1800, mahogany with gilt-bronze mounts, at N.P. Trent Antiques. |
820.8920
www.gasiunasengallery.com
►John H. Surovek Gallery
349 Worth Ave., 8 Via Parigi
832.0422
surovekgallery.com
►John Prinster
3735 S. Dixie Hwy
835.1512
www.john-prinster.com
►L’Etoile Royale
329 Worth Ave
655.3025
►Michael MacLean Antiques
3803 S. Dixie Hwy.
659.0971
►Norton Museum of Art
1451 S. Olive Ave.
832.5196
www.norton.org
►N.P. Trent Antiques
3729 S. Dixie Hwy.
832.0919
343 Worth Ave. 651.1022
www.nptrentantiques.com
►Palm Beach, America’s International Fine Art & Antique Fair
Feb. 3–11, Palm Beach Convention Center
650 Okeechobee Blvd.
West Palm Beach
866.802.8337
www.palmbeachfair.com
►palmbeach3: contemporary photography, art + design
Jan. 12–15, Palm Beach County Convention Center
650 Okeechobee Blvd.
West Palm Beach
209.1308
www.palmbeach3.com
►Palm Beach Design Fair
Jan. 12–14, Cohen Pavillion for the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
561.832.4164, ext. 103
www.wendyshows.com
►Palm Beach Jewelry & Antique Show
Feb. 16–20, Palm Beach County Convention Center
650 Okeechobee Blvd.
West Palm Beach
822.5440
www.palmbeachshow.com
►Palm Beach Winter Antiques Show
Jan. 18–21, Crowne Plaza
1601 Belvedere Rd.
West Palm Beach
483.4047
www.zitawatersbell.com
►Richters of Palm Beach
224 Worth Ave.
655.0774
►The Elephant’s Foot Antiques
3800 S. Dixie Hwy.
832.0170
►The Meissen Shop
832.2504
www.themeissenshop.com
►The Society of the Four Arts
2 Four Arts Plaza
655-7227
www.fourarts.org
►Wally Findlay Galleries
165 Worth Ave.
655.2090
wallyfindlaygalleries.com