Opening Night Party November 6 Kicks Off Weekend of Shopping, Lectures, and Design Inspiration

WINTERTHUR, DE (September 17, 2025)—A treasured tradition in the world of American decorative arts, the Delaware Antiques Show returns for its 62nd year from November 7 to 9, 2025, at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware. Presented by Wilmington Trust, a Member of the M&T Family, this three-day event features more than 60 of the nation’s leading dealers in American antiques, fine art, silver, jewelry, porcelain, rugs, and furniture. An Opening Night Party on Thursday, November 6, provides early access to the show floor, with cocktails and conversation among collectors, designers, and connoisseurs.

Keynote Lecture by Nadia Watts of Nadia Watts Interior Design
Saturday, November 8, 10:00–11:15 am
Nadia Watts, principal of Nadia Watts Interior Design and great-great-granddaughter of Louis C. Tiffany, will deliver the keynote lecture titled “Designing with Soul: How Legacy, Nature, and Antiques Shape Interiors.” With two decades of experience and national acclaim, she’ll share how her family’s artistic heritage has influenced her creative vision and how legacy, a reverence for nature, and the thoughtful integration of antiques inspire her timeless interior designs. Based in Denver, Nadia launched her firm in 2009 after early roles with Elaine Stephenson Interiors in Virginia and the American Decorative Arts Department at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her projects, which blend antiques and artistry with livable elegance, have appeared in Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Luxe Interiors + Design, Elle Décor, The Wall Street Journal, Galerie Magazine, and more.


Additional Lectures Throughout Weekend
Chipstone Lectures
Friday, November 7, 2025, 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.

  • Brock Jobe, Professor Emeritus of American Decorative Arts, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library: “The ‘capricious, unprincipled, and ingenious’ William King, Furniture Maker of Salem, Massachusetts”
  • Adam Erby, Executive Director of Historic Preservation and the Martha Washington Chief Curator, George Washington’s Mount Vernon: “La Peinture: The Rediscovery of George and Martha Washington’s Presidential Biscuit Porcelain Figures and Their Incredible Provenance”

Historic Ceramic Patterns & Modern Design Lecture, Plus Book Signing
Saturday, November 8, 2:00–3:00 pm
Wendy Kvalheim, CEO and Design Director of Mottahedeh, will present “Not Your Grandma’s China: A Contemporary Look at Historic Ceramic Patterns.” She’ll highlight historic pieces and patterns, and how historic decorative arts collections like those at Winterthur can inspire contemporary tableware design for the next generation. Kvalheim has used her training in art history, design, ceramics, and printmaking to inform more than 30 years of her work at Mottahedeh. A signing for her book, Splendid Settings: 100 Years of Mottahedeh Design (Pointed Leaf Press, 2024), will follow.


Americana Insights Lectures
Saturday, November 8, 4:00–5:00 pm
Three researchers featured in Americana Insights 2025, the third volume of an annual series that presents the latest discoveries in traditional Americana, folk art, and material culture, will share their insights. Book signing to follow.

  • Lisa Minardi, Editor, Americana Insights and Executive Director, Historic Trappe, “From Hubener to Medinger: Redware Potters of Southeastern Pennsylvania”
  • Christopher Malone, Curator, Historic Trappe, “Black, White, and Green All Over: The Potter Once Known as Solomon Grim”
  • Laini Farrare, University of Delaware, “‘God Bless You All in Food and Drink’: Sgraffito Teaware in Pennsylvania”


Student Scholars Lectures
Sunday, November 9, 2:00–3:30 pm
Sponsored by The Decorative Arts Trust, this program showcases new research by Lois F. McNeil Fellows from the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture, established in 1952 by Winterthur and the University of Delaware to promote the interdisciplinary study of American decorative arts and material culture. The program’s alumni hold distinguished positions internationally in museums, antiques and auction houses, preservation organizations, historical societies, colleges and universities, and libraries.

  • Eleanor Shippen explores Southern cabinetmaking in “An American Story: Interpreting Regionality in an East Tennessee Desk”
  • Ashley Vernon analyzes the intersection of Shakespeare and ceramics in “Just Being Theatrical: Elements of the Stage Portrayed on Delftware Tiles”


Other Details for the 62nd Annual Delaware Antiques Show
Opening Night Party

Thursday, November 6, 6:00–9:00 pm

Celebrate the opening of the show with early access and cocktails.

Show Hours

  • Friday, November 7: 11:00 am–6:00 pm
  • Saturday, November 8: 11:00 am–6:00 pm
  • Sunday, November 9: 11:00 am–5:00 pm

General Admission
$25; $20 for Winterthur Members. Free for children under 12. Tickets valid for all three days of the show and for admission to Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library on show days.

Location
Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison Street, Wilmington, Delaware. Conveniently located less than one hour south of Philadelphia and midway between New York City and Washington, D.C.

Sponsorship & Proceeds
The Delaware Antiques Show is presented by Wilmington Trust, a Member of the M&T Family. Sponsored by Chubb and Freeman’s | Hindman

Proceeds support Winterthur’s mission of educational programming, including free school visits, reduced-price tickets for qualifying families through Museums for All, and Discover Winterthur, a free day of exploration for the local community.


Tickets & Information

All lectures are included with admission. More information is on the event website, including the list of antique dealers. To purchase tickets, visit winterthur.org/DAS. Email das@winterthur.org or call 800.448.3883 for assistance or questions.

###

ABOUT WINTERTHUR MUSEUM, GARDEN & LIBRARY

Winterthur—known worldwide for its preeminent collection of American decorative arts, naturalistic garden, and research library for the study of American art and material culture— offers a variety of tours, exhibitions, programs, and activities throughout the year. Admission includes an introductory house tour, exhibitions, a narrated tram ride (weather and space permitting), and the Winterthur Garden.

Winterthur is located on Route 52, six miles northwest of Wilmington, Delaware, and five miles south of U.S. Route 1. Winterthur is committed to accessible programming for all. For information, including special services, call 800.448.3883 or visit winterthur.org. Winterthur is closed seasonally from early January through late February.

Contact: Lisa McVey
lmcvey@winterthur.org
302.888.4803