San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show

Madeline Stuart vignette at the San Francisco antiques show

This week I was honored to speak at the San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show on a panel about collecting with designers Suzanne Kasler and Jay Jeffers. A big thank you to show chair Suzanne Tucker who invited me and helped organize a glamorous opening night gala as well as many marvelous talks and events during the week.

Charlotte Moss vignette with de Gournay at the San Francisco antiques showOne of the signature elements of the show is the display of designer vignettes created with and sponsored by de Gournay. Following this year’s theme of The Sun, the Moon & the Stars: Celestial Imagery in Art, Antiques & Design, the designers incorporated pieces from this year’s exhibitors and worked with de Gournay to show both what they do and what they are capable of creating for their spaces. Above, Charlotte Moss‘ Sun vignette was inspired by the drawings of Italian set designer, decorator and painter Antonio Basoli, who helped set the stage for a languorous nap overlooking the Italian landscape.

Madeline Stuart vignette at the San Francisco antiques show

Madeline Stuart, for her Moon vignette, was inspired by Japanese artist Matazo Kayama and a poem by Hanoko Ishii “Tell me the story.. about how the sun loved the moon so much… that she died every night… just to let him breathe.” Her moody, mysterious and romantic scene featured a custom antiqued silver leaf de Gournay paper.

The Wiseman Group vignette at the San Francisco antiques show 1

For their Stars vignette, the Wiseman Group drew inspiration from artist Joseph Cornell, who often incorporated stars, astronomy and celestial imagery in his work. They created a bespoke wall covering with de Gournay featuring hand painted and gilded rice paper, sanded and torn back to emulate his work. Local graphic artist Therese Moon was enlisted to design an astrolabe inspired floor pattern, executed by Stancil Studios.

Ken Fulk vignette at the San Francisco antiques showKen Fulk, with his signature fantastical style, created his vignette around a fictional tale, or as he put it, an “almost believable history” of the Zodiac Bar, “a dazzling hideaway (in the lower level of his Russian Hill townhouse) where guests often trickled in after midnight and departed at dawn.” Working closely with de Gournay, his custom silk wallcovering included detailed hand embroidery and beading, below.

detail Ken Fulk de Gournay collaboration at the San Francisco antiques showThe oldest continuously operating international art and antiques show on the West Coast, the San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show is the the major fundraiser for Enterprise for Youth, the worthy non profit organization that provides training and job opportunities for many of San Francisco’s youth to help them transition from high school into college and the world of work beyond.

wooden elephant head brackets at Carlton Hobbs at the San Francisco antiques showThe group of approximately 60 dealers are top North American and European dealers, fully vetted, who bring a wide variety of antiques and decorative art of all periods and style. A few of my many favorites included an enormous pair of painted wooden elephant’s head wall brackets, above, from Carlton Hobbs. They are not only remarkable in scale, detail and subject but date back to 1680-1720. They also presented an amazing Indian 19th c. giltwood mirror, below.

Carlton Hobbs mirror at the San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show

The amazing detailing is Mughal inspired carved geometric tracery.

Carlton Hobbs mirror detail

Yew Tree House Antiques showed a pair of splendid 18th century Louis XVI giltwood chairs by Henri Jacob. Some lucky buyer scored them as they were gone by the time I left on Saturday afternoon.

Louis XVI giltwood chairs by Jacob at Yew Tree House Antiques at the San Francisco antiques show

Another chair I admired was this French Deco armchair by the highly collectible Jules Leleu in James Sansum‘s booth.

Jules Leleu armchair at James Sansum at San Francisco Antiques ShowWith its distinctive arm, it is evocative of one of the very stylish French Deco period and sensitively upholstered with understated elegance by partner Markham Roberts.

Jules Leleu bergere at James Sansum at San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques ShowNY dealer Clinton Howell showed this decorative walnut 19th c. daybed in the style most often described as Scottish baronial with its unusual carved lion.

carved walnut daybed at Clinton Howell at the San Francisco AntiquesShow

Galerie Steinitz from Paris created an impressive installation including a wide variety of exceptional decorative arts.

Steinitz Gallery at the San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show

Galerie Steinitz

I love being introduced to new dealers and Il Segno del Tempo from Milan showed an intriguing cabinet of curiosities.

Il Segno del Tempo at the San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show

Il Segno del Tempo at the San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show

For his first foray at the show, New York dealer Guy Regal included a rare Carlo Bugatti cabinet

Bugatti cabinet at Guy Regal at San Franciso Fall Art and Antiques Show

and a pair of glamorous mid-century sunflower sconces by Maison Charles – like jewelry for any room.

sunflower sconces by Maison Charles from Guy Regal at teh San Francisco antiques show

There was of course some major bling at the show. One of my favorites was this diamond and spinel 19th century Jaipur necklace from Sue Ollemans Oriental Works of Art.

Sue Ollemans Oriental Works of Art 19th c. Jaipur necklace at the San Francisco Antiques Show

For garden related items, Finnegan Gallery from Chicago showed a fabulous pair of large (4 feet tall) late 19th century British hand carved stone columns from an estate outside of Bath.

19th c. English stone colums from Finnegan Gallery at the San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show

And Antique American Wicker presented a pair of monumental planters that would be statement makers for any garden room that could accommodate their stature.

Wicker planters at Antique AmericanWicker

8 thoughts on “San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show

  1. MY FAVORITE THING TO DO IS THIS SHOW in San Francisco!I always look forward to the SPEAKERS and LECTURES AS WeLL.TOP NOTCH Designers and BOOK AUTHORS give their talk and dazzle the audience with a slide show and humor!This year I attended the opening Night Party with My youngest SUN(SON) Nicholas who I thought it was time to show him THE GOOD STUFF so when it comes time to empty MY CASA he doesNOT send it ALL to the GOODWILL!Never to early to Start Educating these Young Things!I think he rather enjoyed it especially when he stumbled upon IL SEGNO DEL TEMPO and understood them as they were in a discussion over a price in Italian!I think That was a AHA moment for Him as He spent his childhood in Italy and his Father still only speaks Italian to him but he understood the conversation!SO, HE TOLD THEM THAT IN ITALIAN!!!
    I’m sorry I missed your Panel discussion I couldn’t get to all of them do to my distance and the TRAFFIC!Hope you can understand that!AT least I spied YOU and SUSANNA……I would LOVE to come to TENNESSEE so lets keep that as a MAYBE!!!!!!XX

  2. What wonderful shots! Wondering if you got a clearer one of the chest behind the gilded chair? (The one with the horse on top.)

    Thanks!

  3. YOU MUST HAVE so much FUN!!! Luv’d all, but, especially Mughal inspired carved geometric tracery!! franki

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