Tickets are on sale now for the 56th annual Delaware Antiques Show being held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Nov. 8, 9, and 10, at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Del. One of the most acclaimed antiques events in the nation, the show presents 60 of the country’s most distinguished dealers of American furniture, paintings, rugs, ceramics, silver, jewelry, and other decorative arts, this year with an Irish twist. For antiques lovers and collectors, it is not a show to be missed.
The fun begins with cocktails and exclusive early, tax-free shopping during the Opening Night Party on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 5 to 9 p.m. Regular show hours begin on Friday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m., with a keynote by author Robert O’Byrne, honorary chair of the show. O’Byrne specializes in fine and decorative arts. He is the author of more than a dozen books and writes for several magazines as well as the award-winning blog, www.theirishaesthete.com.
O’Byrne has spent decades crisscrossing Ireland and exploring its architectural heritage, from the justly famous and widely photographed great country houses to the out-of-the-spotlight but equally entrancing private historic homes. His talk, “The Irishness of the Irish Country House: A Private Tour,” will take the form of a journey around Ireland and into her secret country houses while explaining the evolution of Irish architecture and what makes it so distinctive. Saturday features captivating lectures by young scholars from Winterthur and continues the spectacular showcase of art, antiques, and design.
In addition, a special exhibit, “Irresistibly Irish: Decorative Arts From the Winterthur Collection,” provides a look at objects that reflect the diversity of America’s Colonial and early national history. See a delicate, intricately carved golden buckle, a vibrant needlework Bible cover, and a sampling of decorative arts, including a stunning silver chandelier. Prized and preserved by early Americans, these objects share eloquent public and private stories worth hearing again today.
Tickets are valid for all three days. General admission tickets include the keynote lecture and young scholars lectures on Sunday. Tickets to the Opening Night Party are sold separately and are not included in general admission. For tickets, call 800-448-3883 or purchase online. For more information, visit www.winterthur.org/das. The Delaware Antiques Show benefits educational programming at Winterthur.
The Chase Center on the Riverfront is at 815 Justison St., Wilmington, Del.
For directions, visit www.riverfrontwilm.com and click on “Get Directions” or call 302-425-4890.
For additional information and updates on the lineup at this year’s show, email das@winterthur.org or call 800-448-3883.