A Winterthur Tradition | November 7–9, 2025
One of the nation’s most highly acclaimed antiques shows presents a spectacular showcase of art, antiques, and design! Featuring the finest offerings from more than sixty distinguished dealers, the Delaware Antiques Show highlights the best of American antiques and decorative arts. Join us for a full schedule of exciting show features sure to captivate the sophisticated and new collector alike.
Opening Night Party
Thursday, November 6 | 6:00–9:00 pm
Please join us for the opening of the show with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and exclusive early shopping! Opening Night Party ticket valid for admission to all days of the show and to Winterthur during the show dates. All lectures are included with show admission.
Sponsor: $250 per person, early admission at 5:00 pm
Patron: $175 per person
Young Collector: $150 per person
General Admission
$25 per person; $20 Winterthur Members. Children under 12 free. Ticket valid for admission to all days of the show and to Winterthur during the show dates. All lectures are included with show admission.
- Friday, November 7 | 11:00 am–6:00 pm. Purchase tickets.
- Saturday, November 8 | 11:00 am–6:00 pm. Purchase tickets.
- Sunday, November 9 | 11:00 am–5:00 pm. Purchase tickets.
Location & Parking
The Chase Center on the Riverfront is located at 815 Justison Street, Wilmington, Delaware, less than one hour south of Philadelphia, and midway between New York City and Washington, D.C.
Ample free parking. Accessible parking for persons with disabilities.
Chipstone Lectures
Friday, November 7 | 9:00–10:15 am
The Chipstone Lectures feature authors of articles in Ceramics in America 2024 and American Furniture 2024. Published annually since 2001 and 1993 respectively, these award-winning journals have been considered the journals of record for their fields and further the Chipstone Foundation’s mission to promote appreciation and understanding of American material culture. Ceramics in America 2024 is edited by Ronald W. Fuchs II and Robert Hunter and American Furniture 2024 is edited by Martha H. Willoughby. After the lectures, the speakers will be on hand to sign copies of the 2024 journals.
The ‘capricious, unprincipled, and ingenious’ William King, Furniture Maker of Salem, Massachusetts
By Brock Jobe, Professor Emeritus of American Decorative Arts
In January 1925, a New York antiques dealer sold a serpentine chest of drawers bearing a tiny, printed label, which read: “Made and Sold by W. KING, Salem.” The documentation prompted collectors to attribute dozens of pieces to this little-known craftsman. Now, a century later, recent research has proven the attributions to be spurious. Join Brock Jobe as he explores King’s colorful career and reveals what he actually made.
About the Speaker
In 2000 Brock Jobe was appointed professor of American decorative arts in the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture after a 28-year career as a museum curator and administrator at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Colonial Williamsburg, the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (now Historic New England), and Winterthur. He has authored or edited seven books and written dozens of articles. Brock retired from his professorship in June 2015 but retains an office at Winterthur and continues to study, write, and lecture about American furniture. He presently serves as President of the Decorative Arts Trust and remains a dedicated volunteer at Winterthur.
La Peinture: The Rediscovery of George and Martha Washington’s Presidential Biscuit Porcelain Figures and Their Incredible Provenance
By Adam Erby, Executive Director of Historic Preservation and the Martha Washington Chief Curator, George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Adam Erby will explore the fascinating story of the discovery of a bisque porcelain figure that once belonged to George Washington and subsequently descended in an African American family— which expands our understanding of George Washington’s Presidential table and the close connection between the Custis and Costin families.
About the Speaker
Adam Erby is the executive director of Historic Preservation and the Martha Washington Chief Curator at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture at the University of Delaware, and has worked at Mount Vernon since 2012 and has led a range of important projects, including the restoration of several rooms in the mansion and the curation of major exhibitions including Mount Vernon: The Story of an American Icon and Lives Bound Together, Slavery at Mount Vernon.
A prolific lecturer and author, Adam is one of just a handful of authors who has written for both American Furniture and Ceramics in America. His articles include “Mostly new, and very elegant”: The Several Lives of George William and Sally Fairfaxes’ London-Made Furniture” published in American Furniture in 2019 and “He in Glory, America in Tears”: Jacob Perkins, Washington Funeral Medal, and Liverpool Jugs” in 2022 in Ceramics in America.
Keynote Lecture
Saturday, November 8 | 10:00—11:15 am
Designing with Soul: How Legacy, Nature, and Antiques Shape Interiors
By Nadia Watts, Nadia Watts Interior Design
Drawing on memories of growing up surrounded by art, craftsmanship, and innovation in design, interior designer Nadia Watts will share a personal account of how her family heritage—rooted in the artistry of her great-great-grandfather Louis C. Tiffany—has profoundly influenced her creative vision. She will explore how legacy, a reverence for nature, and the thoughtful integration of antiques inspire her timeless interiors today. With over two decades of experience, Nadia will offer insights into blending history, personal narrative, and contemporary living to create spaces with depth and soul.
About the Speaker
With over two decades of experience, Nadia Watts is celebrated for creating timeless, artful interiors that reflect her clients’ personalities and passions. Since founding her Denver-based firm in 2009, she has delivered exceptional design solutions nationwide, earning a reputation for beautifully layered spaces that balance function, history, and artistry.
Her portfolio includes custom residences, historic renovations, professional offices, and interiors featuring internationally recognized art and furniture collections. Nadia’s collaborative approach and attention to detail have cultivated a loyal clientele and widespread recognition.
Her career began with Elaine Stephenson Interiors in Virginia and included roles at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Decorative Arts Department and Douglas Associates in Denver—experiences that deepened her appreciation for craftsmanship and historical context.
Nadia Watts Interior Design offers full-service design, project management, furnishing selection, historical restoration, and virtual consultations. She assembles expert teams tailored to each project, collaborating with architects, contractors, and artisans to deliver thoughtful, high-quality results.
Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Galerie Magazine, Architectural Digest, Luxe Interiors + Design, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, and more. Honors include the Robert & Judi Newman Award for Excellence in Classical and Traditional Design, Luxe Gold List, and 5280 Home Top Denver Design. In 2024, she participated in the Kips Bay Palm Beach and Denver Designer Show Houses.
Nadia holds degrees from Hollins University and the New York School of Interior Design and serves on several boards, including The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
Afternoon Lecture & Book Signing
Saturday, November 8 | 2:00—3:00 pm
Not Your Grandma’s China: A Contemporary Look at Historic Ceramic Patterns
By Wendy Kvalheim, CEO and Design Director of Mottahedeh
Mottahedeh has a long history of creating fine china, often inspired by historical patterns and designs. Wendy Kvalheim’s role as CEO and Design Director involves carrying on this legacy while also introducing contemporary elements and embracing a more contemporary and versatile approach to tableware. Wendy will look back at the founding of the company, highlighting an extraordinary range of pieces and patterns, and the ongoing partnerships with America’s most venerated historic properties.
Book signing to follow lecture.
About the Speaker
Wendy Kvalheim has served as president and design director of Mottahedeh for more than thirty years, continuing the legacy of the company founded a century ago by Mildred and Rafi Mottahedeh. Known for its museum-quality reproductions and collaborations with storied institutions like Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, and Winterthur, Mottahedeh remains the premier name in ceramic reproductions.
Wendy’s artistic journey began at Mt. Holyoke College, where she studied education and psychology before earning a BFA in sculpture from Pratt Institute. Her training in art history, design, ceramics, and printmaking informs many of the patterns and designs in the Mottahedeh collection.
Her leadership and creative vision have helped preserve Mottahedeh’s rich heritage while continuing to evolve its design legacy for new generations.
She and her husband Grant have traveled to over seventy-five countries, drawing inspiration from global cultures and traditions. Wendy is also a passionate cook, known for her legendary cookies—some of which are featured in her new book, Splendid Settings: 100 Years of Mottahedeh Design), published by Pointed Leaf Press (2024).
Americana Insights Lectures
Saturday, November 8 | 4:00—5:00 pm
Americana Insights 2025 is the third volume in an annual series that presents the latest research and discoveries on traditional Americana, folk art, and material culture. Today’s speakers are featured in the third annual edition, in addition to the following: Johanna Brown, R. Erich Hess, Karl Pass, Candace Perry, Jeffrey Pressman, Jean Renshaw, Justin Thomas, Adam Zayas. Edited by Lisa Minardi. October 2025.
Book signing to follow lectures.
From Hubener to Medinger: Redware Potters of Southeastern Pennsylvania
By Lisa Minardi, Editor, Americana Insights and Executive Director, Historic Trappe
About the Lecture
Lisa Minardi will delve into the work of Georg Hubener and Jacob Medinger, among the first and last of the traditional Pennsylvania German potters, in conjunction with her essays on their work in Americana Insights 2025. She will also give an overview of the companion exhibition From Hubener to Medinger: Redware Potters of Southeastern Pennsylvania, on view at Historic Trappe from November 8, 2025, to March 29, 2026.
Black, White, and Green All Over: The Potter Once Known as Solomon Grim
By Christopher Malone, Curator, Historic Trappe
About the Lecture
Christopher Malone will reveal groundbreaking new evidence about redware pottery formerly attributed to Solomon Grim of Berks County, Pennsylvania. Through linguistic examination and a careful study of the pottery’s provenance, this vibrant work now finds a new place in history.
‘God Bless You All in Food and Drink’: Sgraffito Teaware in Pennsylvania
By Laini Farrare, University of Delaware
About the Lecture
Join Ph.D. student scholar Laini Farrare as she explores a small group of remarkable graffito-decorated redware from the Winterthur collection that blends Germanic decoration with Anglo-American ceramic traditions. Farrare reveals how these highly decorated objects challenge assumptions about cultural identity in eighteenth-century southeastern Pennsylvania, uncovering the region’s fluid and hybrid design vocabularies across ethnic, linguistic, and racial lines.
Student Scholars Lectures
Student Scholars lectures sponsored by The Decorative Arts Trust.
Sunday, November 9 | 2:00–3:30 pm
An American Story: Interpreting Regionality in an East Tennessee Desk
By Eleanor Shippen, Lois F. McNeil Fellow
Winterthur Program in American Material Culture
About the Lecture
By 1796, migration along the Great Wagon Road had introduced sizable numbers of craftspeople trained in Pennsylvania, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Maryland, and Kentucky to the new state of Tennessee. Shippen examines an Early Republic fall-front desk and discusses how the variety of attributions applied to its origins illuminates the interconnected nature of cabinetmaking traditions in the American South and provides exciting opportunities for future interpretation.
Just Being Theatrical: Elements of the Stage Portrayed on Delftware Tiles
By Ashley Vernon, Lois F. McNeil Fellow
Winterthur Program in American Material Culture
About the Lecture
A visual language once connected to the stage is depicted in a Sadler and Green theatrical series delftware tile from the Winterthur collection. Vernon explores its enchanting characteristics and discusses the literary ties between Shakespeare’s works and the transfer-printed design. Drawing from print sources, she shows how this series goes beyond decoration to evoke a visual reminder of the enduring narratives of the theatre.
New to Collecting?
The Delaware Antiques Show welcomes all, from the newest collector to the most knowledgeable connoisseur.
2025 Delaware Antiques Show Exhibitors
| Antique French Fine Arts | Jayne Thompson Antiques |
| Arader Galleries | Jeff R. Bridgman Antiques |
| Aronson of Amsterdam | Jeffrey Tillou Antiques |
| Avery Galleries | Jonathan Trace |
| Barbara Israel Garden Antiques | Kelly Kinzle |
| Betty Krulik Fine Art | Levy Galleries |
| A Bird in Hand Antiques | Lillian Nassau, LLC |
| Brian Cullity American Antiques | Marcy Burns American Indian Arts, LLC |
| Christopher H. Jones American Antiques | Martyn Edgell Antiques, Ltd. |
| Dan and Karen Olson Antiques | Nathan Liverant and Son, LLC |
| David Brooker Fine Art | The Norwoods’ Spirit of America |
| David A. Schorsch—Eileen M. Smiles | Olde Hope |
| Diana H. Bittel | Oliver Garland |
| Dixon-Hall Fine Art | The Parker Gallery |
| D. M. DeLaurentis Fine Antique Prints | Peter Pap Rugs |
| Dolan/Maxwell | Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Inc. |
| Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, Inc. | Roger Winter Antiques |
| Elle Shushan | R. M. Worth Antiques |
| Elliott & Grace Snyder | Schillay Fine Art, Inc. |
| Francis J. Purcell, Inc. | Schoonover Studios, Ltd. |
| Glen Leroux | Schwarz Gallery |
| G. Sergeant Antiques | Scott Bassoff, Sandy Jacobs Antiques |
| The Hanebergs Antiques | Sheridan Loyd American Antiques |
| Hilary & Paulette Nolan | Silver Art by D & R |
| HL Chalfant American Fine Art & Antiques | S. J. Shrubsole Antique Silver and Jewelry |
| Hollis Brodrick | Somerville Manning Gallery |
| Ita J. Howe | Spencer Marks |
| James L. Price Antiques | Thistlethwaite Americana |
| James M. Kilvington, Inc. | Walker Decorative Arts |
| James Robinson, Inc. | William Cook Antiques |
| Janice Paull | William R. & Teresa F. Kurau |
Thank You for Your Support!
Proceeds from this year’s Delaware Antiques Show help support key educational initiatives such as free school programs and Discover Winterthur, our free day for the community. Support for these important programs allows us to share the wonder of Winterthur with thousands of schoolchildren and our surrounding community.
Presenting Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors
Media Partners
Student Scholars Sponsor
All sales are final. Tickets are nonrefundable.