The 62nd Philadelphia Show Looks to the Future



by Benjamin Genocchio  



The 62nd Edition of The Philadelphia Show returns to the East Terrace of the prestigious Philadelphia Museum of Art. Running April 25–28, 2024, the show includes over forty exhibitors bringing visual art, collectible design, antiques, folk art, ceramics, porcelain, silver, jewelry, and, as usual, a broad range of other decorative arts. 


Six galleries are exhibiting for the first time, among them dealers specializing in contemporary and underrepresented artists along with collectible design — categories in which the show is looking to expand its future offerings. What hasn't changed is the quality of the material on offer, for this is one of the nation’s leading art and design fairs.



Moderne Gallery of Philadelphia will be highlighting works by Pennsylvania artists and designers. Above: George Nakashima (1905–1990), Slab 1 Coffee Table, 1956. American black walnut single board top with dramatic features and free edges. Below, left: Wharton Esherick (1887–1970), Hessian Hills Child’s Chair, 1931. Red oak and leather. A very rare piece, one of three known to be extant, the other two were acquired from Moderne Gallery by the Modernism Museum Mount Dora. Right: Stoneware vessels by Estelle Halper (1918–1980), with her proprietary volcanic turquoise and blue glazes.


Important returning exhibitors include Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques, Dolan/Maxwell, Kelly Kinzle Antiques, Peter Pap Rugs, Elle Shushan, James Robinson, Moderne Gallery, and Arader Galleries. New exhibitors this year include European Decorative Arts Company, Bernard Goldberg Fine Arts, Hawthorne Fine Art, Rehs Galleries, John Keith Russell, and Walker Decorative Arts.



New York gallery Bernard Goldberg Fine Arts specializes in American art created in the early 20th century. Among the works on offer will be this glowing jewel of a painting, Big Ginger Flower, 1925 by Agnes Pelton (1881–1961). Oil on canvas.


Rehs Galleries, a New York art gallery featuring European, 19th century, Impressionist, and historic art is bringing Busy Day in the East River, 2022, by preeminent maritime painter John Stobart. This was his final work before his death in 2023, and the detail, historical accuracy and luminosity of his palette is remarkable.



“I hope that the attendees will explore the wide range of works of art that the Show’s fabulous dealers have for sale,” says Huntley Platt, manager of The Philadelphia Show. “It is a wonderful show to start a collection or buy your first piece. The range of objects, mediums, and price points that dealers bring to the show is vast. The dealers have a wealth of knowledge and are eager to share their expertise.”




From Kelly Kinzle Antiques Left: This miniature wall clock represents an extremely unusual form standing at just 20 ½” tall and housed in an elaborate mahogany case with its original eglomise panel that depicts Justice holding the shield bearing the coat of arms of the newly formed United States. Signed “David Brown/Providence,” circa 1820.  Right: This beautiful Queen Anne easy chair is a very rare example of the fully developed Philadelphia roll-arm easy chair form, with its bold drake feet, dramatic rake to the back legs, and subtle shaping of the crest. There are only a small handful of easy chairs from Philadelphia with drake feet.



Highlights are abundant, among them Philadelphia’s own Moderne Gallery will be showcasing the works of Pennsylvania artists and designers, celebrating the region’s rich and prolific history. They will be offering a number of pieces by legendary woodworker George Nakashima, who lived and worked in New Hope, Pennsylvania, including a spectacular live-edge slab coffee table from 1966; a rare 1931 Hessian Hills School Chair by Wharton Esherick; as well as colorful and expressive vintage “volcanic glaze” ceramics by Estelle Halper. Olde Hope Antiques has a Goddess of Liberty weathervane attributed to J.W. Fiske, from New York, c.1875, of molded copper with a patinated surface and some traces of original gilt. Kelly Kinzel has a rare and beautiful painting “Portrait of the Hawaiian Chieftess, Liliha, Wife of Boki” attributed to John Hayter. Liliha was a member of the Hawaiian Royal family in the early 19th century and was part of the entourage that accompanied King Kamehameha II and Queen Kamāmalu on an 1824 diplomatic tour of Britain, where it is believed she posed for this picture. 




From Olde Hope Antiques Left: Pennsylvania-German schrank, Berks County, Pennsylvania, dated 1761. Retaining the original polychromed, sponged, and grain-painted finish. Right: Goddess of Liberty weathervane, attributed to J.W. Fiske, New York, c. 1875, molded copper with a patinated surface and traces of original gilt.



The Philadelphia Show is a fixture on the city’s cultural calendar and it also helps benefit the Philadelphia Museum of Art. “The proceeds of the show support the museum’s Learning and Engagement division, helping to create educational opportunities that make the PMA a welcoming place for all visitors and specifically benefit the Pay What You Wish Family Festivals and year-round free admission for school groups from the School District of Philadelphia,” Platt says.




Left:   From Levy Galleries, Chippendale high chest of drawers, Pennsylvania, likely Lancaster, circa 1775. Walnut with tulip poplar and yellow pine. Right: From Earle Vandekar of Knightsbridge, a pair of outstanding quality English Staffordshire pearlware neoclassical faux marble obelisks on pedestal bases, ca. 1790–1800. 




2024 Exhibitors


A La Vieille Russie – New York

Russian Antique Jewelry and Art


Arader Galleries – New York

Rare Maps, Prints & Books


Avery Galleries – New York

American Fine Art


Diana H. Bittel Antiques – Pennsylvania

Fine American Furniture


Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques – Pennsylvania

Antique American Flags and Textiles


Ralph M. Chait Galleries – New York

Chinese Ceramics and Fine Art


HL Chalfant Fine Art and Antiques – Pennsylvania

18th - 20th century American Decorative Arts


Dixon-Hall Fine Art – Pennsylvania

19th & 20th Century American and European Paintings and Works on Paper


Dolan/Maxwell – Pennsylvania

Modern & Contemporary Art


European Decorative Arts Company – New York

European Ivory Carvings, Objects of Vertu and 19th Century Porcelain and Art


Gemini Antiques – New Jersey

Antiques Toys and Banks


Bernard Goldberg Fine Arts – New York

Early 20th Century American Art


Hawthorne Fine Art – New York

Hudson River School and Impressionist Paintings


Barbara Israel Garden Antiques – New York

Garden Antiques


Kelly Kinzle Antiques – Pennsylvania

Americana & Folk Art


Betty Krulik Fine Art – New York

American & European 19th & 20th Century Art


Glen Leroux Antiques – Connecticut

Mid-Century Modern & 20th Century Decorative Arts


Levy Galleries – New York

Americana and Fine Art


Lillian Nassau LLC – New York

Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany Studios


Nathan Liverant and Son - Connecticut

Fine Americana


M. Hanks Gallery – California

African American Fine Art


Moderne Gallery – Pennsylvania

20th Century Decorative Arts


The Old Print Shop – New York

American Graphic Arts & Antiquarian Maps


Olde Hope Antiques, Inc. – Pennsylvania

American Folk & Decorative Arts


Peter Pap Oriental Rugs – California

17th – 19th Century Rugs & Textiles


Francis J. Purcell – Pennsylvania

Antiques and Mantels


Rehs Galleries – New York

European, 19th Century, Impressionist, and Historic Art


James Robinson – New York

Antique Jewelry, Silver, Glass & Porcelain


John Keith Russell – New York

Shaker furniture, antiques and fine American design


Schmidt-Dean Gallery – New Jersey

Regional, National, & International Fine Works of Art


Schwarz Gallery – Pennsylvania

18th – 20th Century European & American Painting


S. J. Shrubsole – New York

English & American Silver & Jewelry


Elle Shushan – Pennsylvania

Portrait Miniatures


Silver Art by D & R – Maryland

Antique French Art & Silver


Somerville Manning Gallery – Delaware

20th & 21st Century Painting & Sculpture


Jayne Thompson Antiques – Kentucky

English & Continental Furniture


Jeffrey Tillou Antiques – Connecticut

18th & 19th Century American Antiques & Fine Art


Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge - Pennsylvania

Decorative Objects from the 17th-20th Century


Walker Decorative Arts – New York

Antiques and Fine Art




Show Information
Click here for preview party and admission tickets


At the East Terrace, the Philadephia Museum of Art

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19130


Preview Party

Thursday, April 25, 6pm – 9pm

Get a first look at the fine works of art offered at this year's show. Tour the show and enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails while mingling with supporters of the show.


Admission

Friday, April 26, 11am – 7pm

Saturday, April 27, 11am – 6pm

Sunday, April 28, 11am – 5pm