Home & Garden: Larchmont’s Own Antiques Appraisal Day This Weekend

Wondering if that old vase that’s stuffed in your attic might be a goldmine and not just a tchotchke? Then bring it to Antiques Appraisal Day, hosted by Larchmont Historical Society (LHS) and Clarke Auction Gallery, March 4 and 5, and find out.

Sure, there’s a chance that its value is purely sentimental, but then again, says Co-Chair Margi Gristina, “Part of the fun is receiving a pleasant surprise about the piece that’s been sitting in your attic for 20 years. It might have historical and financial value as well.”

This is the second Antiques Appraisal Day hosted by LHS, and the first one with Larchmont’s Clarke Auction Gallery which relocated to a large space on the Boston Post Road last September. The first event was two years ago when over 80 people brought their treasures for appraisal from a panel of experts.

Art, jewelry, furniture, paintings, sculpture, porcelain, china and other decorative objects will be assessed this weekend, so poke through closets and cupboards, and take a fresh look at pieces you’ve been curious about whether to clear out or keep.

Larchmont is a fitting place for the event. Says Monica Foster, who is co-chairing, “We’re happy to be bringing a celebration of antiques back to Larchmont since in the early 20^th century, particularly along our stretch of the Boston Post Road, Larchmont was a mecca for antiques stores. It always has been, and it still is.”

Two years ago, the oldest item appraised was a piece of Andean pottery dating between 1000-1470 AD.  The most expensive?  “It was a 19^th century Terrestrial globe valued between $20,000 and $30,000,” says Gristina.  Not bad.

This year, the program spans two days.

Kicking it off, on Friday evening, March 4, will be an open forum, panel discussion called “What’s Hot? What’s Not?” at the Larchmont Yacht Club, from 6-8 p.m, sponsored by Chubb Insurance. “You’ll find out what the hottest trends are in fine art and antiques, and learn about the state of the antiques market today,” says Gristina.

Experts include Tom Curran (who will be moderating) and Ron Clarke of Clarke Auction Gallery; Michael Cohn from Michael Cohn Asian Arts, New York City; Peter Boehm of Dualities Antiques and Art, Larchmont; and father and son, Robert and David Bahssin of the Post Road Gallery, Larchmont. The panel will also be taking questions from the audience. $20 for LHS members; $25 for nonmembers.

Antiques Appraisal Day will be Saturday, March 5, at Clarke Auction Gallery, noon-4 p.m. Certified dealers and appraisers will be on hand in the fields of international and American fine art; jewelry and gem stones; silver; American and European antiques and decorative arts.

“If a piece is too large, you can bring a photo,” advises Gristina. Help is also on hand to assist you in bringing  an object from your car.  The appraisal fee for the first item is $20, $10 per additional item, with a maximum of three objects.

Time to start dusting off a piece or two and head over. Who knows? You might be holding onto a treasure.

For information and to reserve for the Friday night panel at Larchmont Yacht Club, call 914-381-2239, or email LHSantiquesday@gmail.com. Cocktails will be served. For Saturday’s Appraisal Day, pay at the door of Clarke Auction House. Light refreshments will be available. All proceeds benefit Larchmont Historical Society. Larchmont Yacht Club, 1 Woodbine Ave., Larchmont; 914-834-2440; Clarke Auction Gallery, 2372 Boston Post Rd., Larchmont; 914-833-8336. 

Katherine Ann Samon is a columnist for Patch, and author of four books, including Ranch House Style and Dates From Hell. Contact her at kathsam@aol.com, and visit www.katherineannsamon.com