Admiring Antiques

The Great Southwestern Antique Show celebrates 20 years running, including a special exhibit showing women’s attire from the New Mexico frontier days.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

The 20th year of the Great Southwestern Antique Show will be held from August 4 to 5 at the Manuel Lujan Jr. Exhibit Complex on the New Mexico State Fairgrounds, with a sneak peek fundraiser on August 3 from 1 to 6 p.m. One of the largest Southwest shows and sales of its kind, the Great Southwestern Antique Show celebrates two decades running, featuring unique, historic works from more than 150 national dealers. Items available to browse include various furnishings, Native American artifacts, cowboy and Old West antiques, Navajo rugs, jewelry, pottery, linens, ethnographic art and much more.

In addition to the general show, a special exhibit titled Fashionistas of the Frontera dives into the fashion and styles worn by women in New Mexico at the turn of the 19th century. The exhibit will showcase traditional outfits representing Navajo, Pueblo and Apache women in New Mexico, as well as traditional

Mexican attire.

“It’s exciting to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Great Southwestern Antique Show. Terry [owner of Cowboys and Indians Antiques] and I put a lot of love and hard work into it over the years, and we continue hear from both collectors and dealers that it’s their favorite show, which makes it ever more rewarding,” says show manager Victoria Roberts. Roberts adds she is really looking forward to this year’s Fashionistas of the Frontera exhibit. “It seems timely to be putting a focus on women, who are an important part of New Mexico’s history,” she says.

“I have participated in the Great Southwestern Antique Show since its origin 20 years ago. In fact, my booth was No. 1, and I look forward to exhibiting at the 2018 Great Southwestern Antique Show,” says Alan Kessler, owner of Alan Kessler Gallery. The gallery will be bringing a number of katsina dolls, Plains beadwork, Southwestern jewelry, cowboy-related material and various other antiques to the 2018 show.

Western Trading Post will exhibit a large selection of jewelry, baskets, rugs and Americana and Western collectibles to this year’s show, including a bracelet and concho belt, which both have Lander Blue turquoise, according to Western Trading Post owner Jim Olson. “We look forward to the Great Southwestern Show each year. It is always an active show for trade,” says Olson.

Barbara Miles, co-owner of Miles and Miles Trading Company along with husband, Ken, says she is excited to celebrate the Great Southwestern Antique Show’s

20th anniversary. Miles and Miles Trading Company brings to the show a variety of Native American jewelry and artifacts.

Manitou Galleries has been participating in the show for almost 40 years, according to gallery owner Bob Nelson. “It is not only a great show in itself, but it serves as the stimulus for the rest of August in New Mexico, which is a collector’s dream come true with the many shows and events,” says Nelson.

All proceeds from the preview fundraiser on August 3 will support New Mexico PBS arts programming.

2. Vintage silver and turquoise Navajo and Zuni bracelets, 1930-50. Courtesy Victoria Roberts and Terry Schurmeier.

1. Taos beaded fringed dress that will be on view in Fashionistas of the Frontera. Collection of Jan Duggan.

3. Wilson Tawaquaptewa(Hopi, 1871-1960), unique matched set of three katsina dolls, 1930s. Courtesy Buffalo Barry’s Indian Art.4. Lander Blue turquoise bracelet. Courtesy Western Trading Post.

5. Harley Brown, Chief, pastel, 20 x 16". Courtesy Manitou Galleries. 6. From top, two Navajo turquoise cuffs and a hallmarked handmade Hopi cuff. Courtesy Miles and Miles Trading Company.7. Hopi Sio Shalako Katsina Doll, ca. 1890, cottonwood, 8¾ x 4" with horns 8" apart at tip. Courtesy Alan Kessler Gallery.8. The Historic Toadlena Trading Post booth in 2017.