I promised a post on antiquing in Okoboji which I will get back to.  But first I wanted to give you a preview of the Lauritzen Gardens Antique Show going on today, tomorrow, and Sunday.  If you’re a lover of the arts or antiques and you live within 250 miles of Omaha this is a must see Antique Show.  I will warn you this is a photo heavy post so grab a glass of wine or Champaign.  This show deserves Champaign!

What is so special about this show?  It is a delight for all the senses.  The beauty of the Gardens, the scheduled lectures and luncheons, Antique University, and of course the Designer’s walk, all carefully curated to give you a weekend of education, good food, and the best of the best in Period Furniture and Decorative Arts.

This is not one of those huge antique shows with thousands of vendors and everything from flea market finds to the occasional real “find”.  No this show is for the true Antique Lover.  The collector with deep pockets, one with discerning taste and the education to know when something is “correct”.  

This year with Covid Restrictions and masks in place we prepared to enjoy 30 vendors that brought their lovely Period 17th, &18th Century French and English collections to Omaha for a weekend.  It is always so fun to go to this show and be surrounded by these incredible antiques.  To be able to touch a Louis XlV Armoire and enjoy the patina of something that is 300 years old.  These are things dreams are made of for a true collector.

This booth was just filled with wonderful finds.  Fabulous 12′ Trestle Table, Sack Back Windsor Chair with pierced back splat.  I could just about close my eyes spin around and point and be thrilled with whatever my finger pointed at.  The mortar and pestals were so interesting too.

Diminutive Jacobean Period 17th Century Desk with incredible patina and original brasses.

This gorgeous George the lll Walnut chest was unbelievably beautiful, highly figured and even with replaced brasses and restored bracket feet it was priced at 15000.  Worth every penny!

Loved this Candle Box

always a sucker for ships!

This was the first thing I saw when I walked in the door.  A truly wonderful hand painted French Desk.  I loved this piece, probably a favorite.

Nice Marquetry Round Tea Table.  Beautiful inlay.

Then there was this Very Rare Fire Bucket, loved it, a bit over my head at 9800.00 oh I wish!  Wash stand was cute too.

English 18th Century Secretary Desk and some very fancy carved chairs.

Wonderful Collection of Tortoise Shell Tea Caddies.

Lovely Portrait and yet another ship!

Everything here spoke to me and really needed to come home with me.  Hooked Rugs are unbelievable.  Condition was incredible and the weather vanes were so great.  Oh well!

Nice sideboard, soup tureen was beautiful and the knife boxes were choice.

French Bakers Table and this Scale was so interesting.  I have never seen one like it.

Belgium Yellow Ware Teapots.  Loved the small one 179.00  The lidded piece is French and used for all things according to the dealer.  I thought it might be for rising dough.  The shelf above had very nice scales one on the left a French Postal Scale I think.

These 2 trunks were gorgeous English.  I loved the patches and there was a medallion on each one.

Ah a Pond Sailer.  I just love these things!

This painting was so compelling.  She just stopped me in my tracks.  French Artist and very interesting read.

These were so cool.  I loved them.

Nice collection of Chinese Export Porcelain

This route chair was amazing.  Definitely not my taste but very interesting non the less.

These little bits of fancy are always a huge hit at the show.  They have evolved over the years, I like the ones they used to do better.  These are just old pieces of frames that have been cut to tiny size with some kind of charm or ornament placed inside.  Each one very unique.  This year they were a bit glitzy with more gold leaf and broaches on them.  I did like the wood one above with the bee buried in it.

When you see a whole wall of these it is very impressive.  

And that’s a wrap.  I tried to give you a taste of the show.  It’s worth the time.  I didn’t come away with anything this year because I’m saving money for our upcoming road trip and let’s be honest here, my tastes and pocket book are much more pedestrian than what is available at this show.  But, if you can afford it, it is a great experience and a fabulous way to learn about true antiques.

Did you see anything that makes your heart trip?  I sure did.  Please leave it in comments I would love to hear.

Thanks for stopping 

Shelley