August 11, 2011

San Francisco Antiques Show Celebrates 30 Years With October Gala

Robert Doyle READ TIME: 3 MIN.

San Francisco, CA - Starting October 27, The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show Benefiting Enterprise for High School Students, celebrates its 30th anniversary at the Festival Pavilion of Fort Mason Center. Over 60 carefully-vetted new and returning dealers will present a superb array of thousands of best-in-class decorative and fine art objects. This year's theme, Hidden Treasures, is inspired by the pearl, the treasure hidden within an oyster shell that is the traditional 30th anniversary gift.

On Wednesday, October 26, the fair kicks off with its glittering opening night Preview Party, with all proceeds going to Enterprise for High School Students. This year's benefit will be hosted by internationally renowned chef, Tyler Florence, who has delighted the culinary cognoscenti with his contemporary take on classic cuisine. In keeping with the theme, the Preview Party gala will feature an Oyster Bar, sponsored by 1stdibs, along with a special amuse bouche recipe by Chef Florence.

"I am delighted to be Honorary Chair of this special event, which joins my love of good design with my passion for youth education," said Chef Florence. "I am inspired by Enterprise for High School Students' mission of empowering teens to invest in their futures and pursue their goals and passions from a young age."

"We are thrilled to have Chef Florence serve as this year's Honorary Chair," said Lisa Podos, Strategic and Creative Consultant for the show. "His creativity in marrying the contemporary with the classic, bringing new flavor to timeless cuisine, is a perfect metaphor for this year's theme."

Honorary Chair Chef Tyler Florence and Show Chair Michele Goss are joined by a roster of outstanding Chairs, including: O.J. and Gary Shansby, Elizabeth and Paul Touw, Laura King Pfaff, Lisa and John Grotts, Jenna Hunt, Jennifer Raiser, Suzanne Tucker and Premier Sponsor Chair, Amanda Wallis, Northern California and Nevada Regional Head of U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management.

Visitors will be welcomed by an eye-catching installation, designed by renowned San Francisco-based architect Andrew Skurman. The special Loan Exhibition, guest curated by Maria Santangelo of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and historian Holland Lynch, will showcase intriguing works of art that have an element of surprise.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THEMATIC AND OTHER WORKS OF ART ON DISPLAY:

  • Antique caduceus brooch set with rubies, diamonds and pearls, in silver and 18k gold. Circa 1880. Courtesy of Kentshire, New York.

  • Pendant with diamonds and pearls, in the form of a crescent moon and flower; hidden enamel on the reverse. India, 18th Century. Courtesy of Susan Ollemans Oriental Art, London

  • A charming and unusual mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell jewelry casket, in the form of an English 19th century house. Provenance: By repute John Nicholas Brown of the Brown University family. Circa 1865. Courtesy of Kentshire, New York.

  • Piero Fornasetti "Fiori Della Notte" Table. Italy, 1955. Collection of Trevor Traina.

    The SFFAS features 65 leading decorative and fine arts galleries from across the United States and Europe, including new dealers Antoine Chenevi�re Fine Arts from London, Galerie Lefebvre from Paris, and Spencer Marks from Massachusetts, along with returning exhibitors Beauvais Carpets and Kentshire from New York, Susan Ollemans Oriental Art from London, Steinitz from Paris, American Garage and Therien from Los Angeles, epoca and Hackett/Mill from San Francisco, and many others.

    The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show Benefiting Enterprise for High School Students is the oldest and most prestigious international antiques fair on the West Coast. Each year, the fair features an extraordinary range of fine and decorative arts, representing all styles and periods including American, English, Continental, and Asian furniture, silver, ceramics, glass, jewelry, rugs, textiles, paintings, prints, and photographs. The 30th annual Show will be held Thursday, October 27-Saturday, October 29, 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, October 30, noon to 5:00 p.m. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.sffas.org.

    DATES AND HOURS
    Preview Party: Wednesday, October 26, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    Show: Thursday, October 27-Saturday, October 29, 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.;
    Sunday, October 30, noon to 5:00 p.m.

    LOCATION
    Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion, Marina Boulevard at Buchanan Street, San Francisco, CA

    by Robert Doyle

    Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.

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