HOUSTON – The annual Theta Charity Antiques Show is in its 64th year. Thursday night they will play host to a preview party at the Bayou City Event Center while the regular show will kick off Friday morning and run through the weekend.
“We have everything from museum quality pieces to pieces for the new collector,” says event co-chair Nancy Bertin. “Its primary purpose has always been to provide an educational experience for the city of Houston by bringing in really fabulous exhibitors.”
They come from across the country and around the world. Plus all of its ticket sales go to help the charities of Kappa Alpha Theta. That’s more than $7 million since the show began. If that’s enough to get you here then be sure you ask about each piece’s “provenance.”
“The best way to describe provenance is the history of a piece. I think in America you’d say possibly the back story,” said William Cook, who’s family has been in the antique business for 55 years. “Our clients in England include the royal family in the past, the government, museums, collectors.”
His collection at this show includes several dozen pieces from all around the world and stretching back hundreds of years. Though the he enjoys learning and sharing the provenance of each piece he feels the most important thing he can pass on is simple appreciation.
“Most antiques were here before us and they’ll be here after us so we in a way are just touching them on their journey through history,” Cook said.
You don’t have to be in the market to buy an antique to appreciate the show. Many of the exhibitors love to share their stories with those that visit. They also offer two guided tours an art walk and a designer walk. Tickets are available online and at the door.