Elmer Wachtel (1864-1929), California Coastline, oil on canvas, 40 x 60 inches. Courtesy William A. Karges Fine Art.
San Francisco Fall Antiques Show Chair, Suzanne Tucker.

The 34th San Francisco Fall Antiques Show (FAS) will kick off on Wednesday, October 21, with an opening night Preview Gala at the Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion in the city’s posh Marina District. The distinguished fair, which brings together an extraordinary range of fine and decorative arts, including American, English, Continental, and Asian furniture and decorative objects, fine art, jewelry, and much more, will be chaired by the leading interior designer Suzanne Tucker.

Says Tucker, “Many of the finest dealers from all over the world, including Carlton Hobbs (New York), Galerie Steinitz (Paris), and Mallett Antiques (London/New York), have been exhibiting at the San Francisco Fall Antiques Show for years. These dealers love coming to the show and they attract a clientele that loves to collect.” Other distinguished exhibitors at this year’s show will include Arader Galleries (New York), Clinton Howell Antiques (New York), epoca (San Francisco), Foster-Gwin, Inc. (San Francisco), Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques (Pennsylvania), William A. Karges Fine Art (Santa Monica), and Yew Tree House Antiques (New York).

Centered on the theme Time After Time: Bringing the Past Present, the 2015 FAS will highlight the enduring nature of the works being offered, the time that goes into creating a work of art, and the vast histories behind each object in the show. The FAS will also include a curated loan exhibition that will showcase the evolution, design, and beauty of timepieces from across the centuries. According to Tucker, “This year’s theme speaks to the timeless quality of collecting as well as the antiques and fine and decorative arts being offered at the show. The theme is a fun one and all of the dealers can bring something related to time. You’ll find everything from a diamond watch to a Swedish clock to a sundial.”

 The FAS will include a full roster of programming, including a highly anticipated lecture series, cocktail hour talks, and Designer Saturday events. Launched over six years ago, Designer Saturday features a variety of lectures led by the industry’s top professionals. Tucker says, “There are interesting speakers covering topics related to art, design, and collecting—all the things that we love! Designer Saturday really brings a fantastic design crowd from all over.” This year’s must-see events include a discussion between celebrated designers Suzanne Rheinstein and Jeffry Weisman about incorporating antiques in the 21st-century home (Saturday, October 24, 2:30 PM) and Suzanne Tucker in conversation with designers Bunny Williams and William J. McCarthy as they share personal stories and experiences from their years at Parish-Hadley, the legendary interior design firm that set the standard for American style (Friday, October 23, 2:30 PM).

Fine Italian Baroque period fall front desk in burl walnut, circa 1720, Lombardy region, 47 x 44 x 25 inches. Courtesy Foster-Gwin.
A fine carved and gilded open armchair. Height: 39 ½,” Seat Height: 17,” Width: 28,” Depth: 28 ¼,” English, circa 1765. Courtesy of Clinton Howell Antiques.

Proceeds from the FAS’ Preview Gala will benefit Enterprise for High School Students, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that helps Bay Area youths develop life skills vital to the successful transition from high school to college and the world of work. The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show will run through Sunday, October 25, 2015. For information call 415.989.0919 or visit www.sffas.org.

This highlight was originally published in the Autumn 2015 issue of Antiques & Fine Art magazine, a digitized version of which is available on afamag.com. Antiques & Fine Art and AFAmag are affiliated with InCollect.com.