My Weblog

Royal Port Antiques at the Winterthur Museum Delaware Antiques Show!

What does Winterthur Museum, Delaware Antiques Show, Leslie and Leigh Keno, Friends, Customers and Antiques equal?  A great time.  This morning, along with my friend and collector Joann Humphrey, I did something that I really wanted to do.  I went to hear  Leigh and Leslie Keno speak prior to the Delaware Antiques Show.  I have always admired how the Brothers grew up, along with their Antique Dealer Parents, to be such admired and respected people in the Antiques Trade.   They spoke of their early escapades in the Antiques business as young boys scanning the fields of Brimfield and Renningers for early iron and stoneware.  What a great way to grow up and learn and still have a great time doing it.  They shared stories of the Antiques Roadshow along with tales of some of their travels and great finds.  Joann and I thoroughly enjoyed the talk and how personal and open the Brothers are with sharing their lives and careers.   My mission for the day was to get my photograph and Joann's photograph with Leigh and Leslie (we're on a first name basis now).  Not that I was being a giddy school girl but I do admire their knowledge in the field and how well respected they are by some of the top museums, antiques dealers and auction houses. We spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon admiring all of the beautiful antiques at the show and seeing old friends.  Thanks for joining me Joann and not fainting when you got your photo taken. Suzanne

Great things are always coming and going at the Royal Port!!

Are you looking for the Ultimate in corner cupboards? Well we have one for you.  This early one piece cupboard originated from a home in Roadstown, NJ.  The molding and applied decoration as well as the butterfly shelves are beautifully crafted.  It makes a statement by itself.  I wanted to share a photo of the booth so that you could see how nicely it looked with the mantel, portraits and bench table.  It's ready to display your favorite collection.  This 2 piece 19th century step back dry sink is another great addition to our inventory.  This 3 drawer top with a shelf over 2 drawers and 2 doors is a great storage as well as a nice display piece.  It is from Lancaster, PA  and has a beautiful grain painted surface and original hardware. The piece is in beautiful condition. The blue banded yelloware bowl just in to the shop would display nicely on the dry sink.  The bowl is in excellent condition.  I enjoy quilts displayed throughout the shop.  They add such color and warmth to the early furniture and accessories.   The 2 pictured were just added to our inventory.  The photo on the left is a combination of pieced and appliqued fabrics.  The colors and design of the quilt are very pleasing.  I hung the quilt as if it were a piece of artwork.  The garland or drape applique and tassel design are well done by the creator.  The choice of fabrics keeps you looking.  The quilt on the right is a simple one but makes use of nice printed fabrics and displays quality stitching in the design of the quilt.  The shop really pops when we are able to display the beautiful craftsmanship of the early quilters.  Two other wonderful pieces pictured are the step back cupboard in mustard paint and the stretcher base table.  Both are in excellent condition.  The 2 door over 2 door painted step back has plenty of shelf space as well as a nice deep open shelf for display.  The stretcher base table, with its fantastic top, also has three deep drawers.  The two pieces compliment each other beautifully.  The two yelloware bowls and the two dough boards are new to the inventory as well.  Just an early reminder.  Our customers have already begun to give us their wish lists and layaway items for the holiday season.  Feel free to email or call us with your wish list.  Tell friends and family to stop by and pick from your list.  Also mark your calendars for the Yuletide Tour of Salem City on December 5th.  More details to follow.  Call or email to reserve tickets.  Suzanne

Royal Port Jumps into Fall with New Inventory!

Fall is such a great season of color.  As we enter into the season our new inventory is a perfect reflection of the warm colors the fall season exhibits.  A great example is this beautiful jelly cupboard. This is a 2 drawer over 2 door Pennsylvania pine jelly cupboard with a nicely designed dovetailed gallery.  It's a perfect addition to any room in the house.  Another beautiful piece new to our inventory is this nice work table.  Having its origin in Southern New Jersey, this pine work table still retains its original bins and dough board.  What a perfect center island and storage piece for the kitchen.  I'm sure many pies and breads have passed through many hands using this work table.   Just in to the shop this week are many board and batten doors as well as some great barn doors in various sizes.  Some of the doors retain original hinges and door latches.  The one pictured would be a great addition to any building or restoration project.  The doors as a stand alone can also be used as a piece of artwork leaning or hanging on a wall.   Royal Port is always looking for interesting quilts.  We acquired this beautiful variation of a star quilt in red, white and blue fabric.  It is a summer quilt in excellent condition.  We currently have a nice selection of quilts in stock.  If you are looking for a nice window seat or mudroom catchall, this bin would be perfect.  It's a very simple and clean bin.   Also pictured on the bin is this very over sized woven splint gathering basket.  You'll notice I've decorated the basket and door with feed bags.  We just added a nice stock of feed bags to the shop.  They are displayed throughout the shop.  Many are well used and exhibit very interesting mending, weaving and patching techniques.  These bags were cherished by their owners.  I enjoy decorating with them.  I added a little bittersweet for the season to the one hanging on the screen door.  And last but not least I have to share Mike's latest funky find.   I love it.  This tin arrow is an old direction sign from a hotel on Route 9 in New Jersey.  What a great conversation piece.  Also wanted to remind those on Facebook that we are looking for fans on our site.  Keywords are Royal Port Antiques.  Take a moment to sign up as a fan.  Our web posts are on Facebook as well as any little daily updates and casual postings.  Facebook is a simple way to know when we've been updating our site.  This weekend is the Artists at Work in Salem County.  Stop by the shop to see Artists, Mike Allegro and Dana Gayner.  Have a great weekend. Suzanne

Michael Allegro to Exhibit at the Royal Port Antiques during Fall Celebration of the Arts!

October is turning into a busy month in Salem County.  One of the upcoming events run by Salem County Tourism is Artists at Work, A Fall Celebration of the Arts in Salem County.  The weekend of

October 10th and 11th, Artists invite you to enjoy and experience the creative process in studios and galleries across Salem County.  It runs from 10am-6pm both days.  Free admission.  What's better than free? (no we will not pay you to come)  

The Royal Port Antiques will be a part of this great weekend by hosting local Photographer Michael Allegro.  Mike will be exhibiting the beautiful photographs he has captured throughout the county.   We own three of Mike's pieces and they can be seen at the Royal Port.  His photos are a reminder of how lucky we are to live amongst such great natural views and wildlife.  Weather permitting, Mike will be on hand to demonstrate along the Royal Port's beautiful view of the river and its wildlife.  In the case of inclement weather Mike will be set up inside.   I have included some of Mike's photos in this post.  Hope you can join us that weekend.  Stop in for a cup of coffee and some treats and enjoy Mike's work.  For additional information feel free to email or call.  Suzanne

New Inventory in September at the Royal Port Antiques!

It has been a busy month so far at the Royal Port.  I wanted to share some photos of our latest inventory.  We have been searching for some nice stoneware and found 3 nice blue decorated jars.  I love the floral decorations on two of the crocks as well the shape of the smaller crock.  They are all in excellent condition.  They are complimented by our Fall decor.  I love the fall colors against the stoneware. 

Another great piece in the shop, that had it's debut at the New Castle Show, is this settle bench from the mid 1800's.  We don't see too many of this style.  Winterthur Museum has a beautiful one in their collection.  This was a beautiful addition to our front entrance booth.  The flax wheel and winder felt right at home near it. It has a graceful curve to the bench and to its sides.  It would feel right at home in front of one of Salem County's early hearths.

For those that have been looking for a large pewter charger this one is 18" and in nice condition. The small rye basket along with the unusual masher make a nice statement together.  I couldn't resist the gray agate ware.  The grouping is in very good condition.  I love the small plates and the platter.    I put them to use immediately.

Also new to the shop is this 3 piece stained glass window grouping.  The picture does not reveal the warm beautiful shades of color in the glass.   The side shown is natural while the reverse is painted white. 

Another favorite addition is a brass double student lamp in beautiful condition.  We currently have 2 in our inventory. Both are great examples of this style of lighting. That is all for today.   I'll be tagging new things for the weekend and will add them to the blog. Stop by to see us.  The shop is decorated for the season.  We have some fun ideas for using antique items with your season's decor. Have a great Fall Season.  Suzanne   

                    

Some Photos from the Open House at the Royal Port!

My friend Mike Allegro took some shots from our Open House  weekend.  I thought I'd share a few.
Thank you to all that stopped by that weekend.  It was a weekend of good antiquing, good food and good conversation.  Glad you enjoyed the meatballs Dave.   We had a really nice time seeing everyone.   If you didn't get a chance to stop by for the weekend stop in any time.  We are putting new inventory into the shop daily. If you didn't get an open house card, send me an email and I'll add you to the Royal Port's mailing list. Our next event is October 10th and 11th.  Mike Allegro will be exhibiting his photographs at the Royal Port during the Salem County Fall Celebration of the Arts.   And don't forget the 3rd Annual Walking Ghost Tour of Salem on October 23rd at 7pm.  We are one of the sponsors.  Groups leave the Royal Port at 7pm.  Tickets are $5.00 and benefit the Salem County Historical Society. More details to follow on both events.  Suzanne

 

Come Celebrate Royal Port's 5th Anniversary!

Join us for our Open House this weekend,  Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th, 10 am - 5 pm. We are celebrating our 5th year at the Salem location and are going into our 15th year of business.  To show our appreciation, join us for a weekend of fun, food and great antiques.  Michael, Sammy and I have been preparing the shop for our favorite weekend.  Stop by to see our new inventory and shop displays. Enjoy some great food (yes Dave my famous meatballs) and baked treats (yes I have been baking)  Fall is in the air at the Royal Port and we're ready for a beautiful weekend.  Hope to see you.  Suzanne

Royal Port Recap in case you missed the New Castle Show.

The weather was beautiful for the Antique Show in Old New Castle on Sunday.  (yes, I said beautiful-usually the hottest day of the summer)  I just wanted to share with you a few photos of our space before the crowds arrived.  I'm sitting on one of my new favorite pieces, a beautiful settle from the mid 1800's.  I'll blog about it more this week with some closer shots.  That did come home with us.    We brought a taste of the Royal Port with us to the show including some nice furniture and smalls as well as some of Mike's Funky Finds.  It was great seeing a lot of our customers at the show.  Don't forget we are gearing up for our Anniversary Open House on September 12th and 13th.  If you haven't gotten an invitation send me an email and I'll send you a card or just stop by that weekend.  All are welcome.  Suzanne

Royal Port Preparing for Historic New Castle Delaware Show!

 Are you looking for something to do on Sunday, August 30th? We are bringing our antiques on the road to our next show in Historic New Castle, DE. In its 22nd year, the Historic Newcastle Show is an outdoor show on the waterfront in Battery Park. Admission is $6.00 or $5.00 with a card. (we have plenty of cards at the shop) It's one of our favorites. The show is from 10 am -4 pm. We'll be planning and packing this week. If you're looking for something and are going to the show send us an email and we'll see if we have it. Or go to the show and stop afterward at the shop. (open until 5)  If you miss it I'll be posting photos from the show next week. Stay tuned. Suzanne

Peek at the New Inventory in August at the Royal Port!

We've been busy adding some nice inventory to the shop including several pieces of furniture and many smalls.  This post is a nice sampling.  One of my favorite new pieces is this pine jelly cupboard.  It has a nicely dovetailed case and side panel details.  The piece is in very good condition.   Complimenting the top of the jelly cupboard is a beautiful grouping of stoneware plates along with a small firkin and a beautiful bucket.  I added the brush (which I love) which was already in the shop.  The child's desk is another piece I had fun complimenting with some new and old inventory.  What a great desk for a child's room, kitchen or family room area.  Add a stool and some books and create a private area for learning.  (I'm surprised I didn't keep it for Sammy hmmmmm.)  Having a business and living in Salem County drew me to the oil painting sitting on the desk.  It reminds me of all our local farming scenes.  It is signed but I'm not sure if it was done locally.  Probably done in the 30's or 40's on a canvas board.  Another great desk to the shop is this grain painted table top desk.  It was probably used in one of our local businesses in South Jersey.  The interior has some small drawers with notations of a business.  It also has a drawers for storage below.  It's an overall interesting piece of business history.  In our architectural department comes this nice selection of early Pennsylvania door hardware.   All appear to be in working order.   Great for those restoring an early home.  Early hardware is sometimes a challenge to find.  We also acquired several nice hand woven splint baskets in varying styles.  Photographed is one that I thought was unusual in shape.  It is in very good condition and I believe to be from South Jersey.  Another great piece is this miniature blanket chest.  Mike and I love boxes and chests.  This pine dovetailed box is a nice miniature chest.  It is in beautiful condition.  It's ready to be added to your stack of boxes.  And last but not least I can't forget to mention Mike's latest Funky Find.  Although it's not a funky find but falls into the category of Mike's heavy inventory.  The heavier the better.  This toledo scale is very nice.  Needs a little adjusting.  Be careful using it.  It adds 50 pounds.  That's worse than the Doctor's office scales.  And not to worry, no one was hurt in the transfer of this piece from the truck to the shop.  Did I mention it was starting to pour and I was on the bottom end of it pushing it up the ramp to the porch?  It has a nice new home at the Royal Port.  It's a great conversation piece as well as a nice scale collectible.  Please stop in to see the fun new things.  Also mark your calendars.  September 12th and 13th we'll be having our annual open house weekend.  Look for invitations in the mail or additional information on our blog or facebook.  Suzanne