Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 35

Chicago Tribune. Friday. December 1980 Section 2 13 Art Antiques Collectibles soar with splendor Painting? Antiques Figural trade signs are still paying off for colledors is Over 240 Selling Booths Wishing Our Dealers And Buyers A Prosperous And Happy New Year Open Every Sat. Sun. 8a.m.-4 p.m.

New-Used-Unique Bargains SAVE SAVE SAVE AT Beyond this is each subject's artificial appearance. Misrach's flash and selenium toning gives natural phenomena a peculiar Hollywood look. Everything seems man-made, synthetic; and an actual landscape might be' mistaken for the miniaturized fiction at the bottom of an aquarium. This frequently it startling and very beautiful. The dye transfer prints, from a 1978 portfolio on Hawaii, have many of the same foci, but there was an added element of chance.

Misrach randomly thrust his camera into the jungle, letting it perform the tasks of selection, framing, and composition. This is a particularly asinine way to take pictures, but so casual is much of photography today that one hardly notices the difference between Misrach's and images allegedly more controlled. Color counts for very little here, although the 30- by 34-inch dye transfers from a later series on Greece are splendid and unimaginable any other way. (Through Jan. 3.) JOHN PITTMAN: (Km.

22S E. Ontario At man's first solo exhibition several years ago, it was apparent that the artist had a real poetic gift' Sometimes this was obscured by second-rate clowning reminiscent of William Wiley, but when the gooniness was suppressed, Pittman showed a sensibility comprised of equal parts refinement and wit. Each of the 22 new pieces finds the artist at his best The majority are small shadowboxes seldom containing' more than four or five elements, such as heavily enameled twigs, an old postage stamp, a length of fine chain, and a ceramic Tibetan coin. These objects, mostly white, are exquisitely arranged against pastel backgrounds worked with a plaster compound. The results are hushed, fragile, and, for Pittman, unusually abstract.

But there are some pieces that look back as well as ahead. One evokes the wraith of his old maps. A huge free-standing piece the masterwork of the show conjures an imaginary interior. And two others edge toward the little rooms that are Pittman's latest development. The curious thing is the inverse relationship between formal subtlety and wit.

At their most literal, not to say prosaic, Pittman's works tend to rely on a clever title or visual pun. But in the severely reduced pieces the argument is advanced through objects alone. I prefer it that way, although each has its own reward, and the artist often succeeds on both counts. (Through Jan. 13.) Alan G.

Artner THE RECENT IMPULSE toward deteratlre paiathnj has brought a number of exotic styles, but none quite so grand as that of Edgar Buonagurio, the young New York artist currently, showing at the Zolla-Lieberman Gallery, 356 W. Huron St His work is reminiscent of ancient mosaics glittering on the domes, semidomes, and tympana of the great churches of Christendom. The effect often is like gazing op toward soaring vaults covered with brilliant and flashing decoration. The scale is awesome, and one feels dose to the splendor of the rituals and liturgies performed in early days. Still, Buonagurio evokes this as part of an architectural caprice.

His spatial relationships make sense only on a two-dimensional surface. And viewers may approach his jeweled canvases as pure painting, that is, winding any reference to a sacred space. The process of painting seems as important to the artist as the result. Each work is meticulously built from layers of acrylic, eventually reaching 2 or 3 inches thick. Then the entire surface is sanded until certain layers are worn away and others revealed.

This gives the predominantly pale colors an added chalklness that helps conjure our vision of the antique. Much decorative painting today apes the manners of far-flung cultures, adding merely a personal twist But Buonagurio has come at the problem from the other way around. Personal almost to the point of eccentricity, his paintings only later may be tied to mosaics, tiles, and traditions remote from our own. In other words, this work is not inspired by history books or weeklong tours of Islam. The artist allows references to accrue, but these are associations, not sources.

It makes quite a difference, yielding a prime example of bow decorative painting still can give sensual pleasure while retaining the expressive power of allusion. (Through Jan. 15.) RICHARD MISRACH (Young-Hoffman. 215 Snperior Sth This 31-year-old photographer from California came to wide attention with a nocturnal image that made one of the rocks from Stonehenge look like a glittering descendant of the famous Edward Steicben studies of Rodin's "Balzac." Included in the 1978 "Mirrors and Windows" exhibition, this print reappears here along with several desert pictures and more recent color work The black-and-white photographs were taken at night (or at dawn) with exposures lasting several hours. This renders the movement of stars- and moon as bizarre streaks that complement the eerie, flashlighted desert srowths.

Such images have been called everything from. An even larger container, made in America in 1858, is a coffee pot with conical cover and gooseneck spout. The pot, 84 inches high and 64 inches fa diameter, holds 740 Vi gallons of coffee, should one care to fill it It once hung outside Julius Mickey's tinsmith shop in Winston-Salem, N.C. Today it is exhibited at Old Salem, a restoration fa Winston-Salem. The story goes that Julius Mickey, who made it, wanted a sign large enough to advertise his wares and attract the public to his tin business.

It is believed that during the Civil War, a Yankee soldier hid in the huge tin pot to save himself from capture by the enemy. THE MASSIVE TIN coffee pot eaa be found fa the book, "Antique Iron Survey of American and English Forms, 15th through 19th Centuries," by Herbert, Peter, and Nancy Schif-fer. The 348-page hardcover edition is available for $35 plus $1 postage from Schiffer Limited, Box Exton, Pa. 19341. This informative volume contains hundreds of photos and descriptions of metal antiques.

Tea-kettle signs can be found In antiques shops, antiques shows, and auctions. At a Robert W. Skinner antiques auction in Bolton, in February, a two-dimensional tea-kettle sign, 22 i inches high with a domed top, pouring spout, iron handle, and metal body, painted black and gold and dating from 1900, sold for $500. Information on Skinner auctions offering desirable trade signs and other antiques is available by writing Robert W. Skinner, Bolton Gaf lery, Rt.

117, Bolton, Mass. 01740, or phoning 617-779-5528 for auction information and catalog prices. You can bid from the profusely illustrated Skinner catalogs by mail or phone. Anita Cold FIGURAL TRADE sign, shaped ttw itemi relating to an occupation, profession, or trade, once hung outside hops to depict the nature of the business. Today they are sought after by collectors and decorators.

Among the most charming and popular examples are those in the shape ef tea Some kettle-shaped trade signs were flat silhouettes; ethers were three dimensional or bulbous. Some were enormous; many bad fancy decorations. The value of a trade sign depends on Its age, attractiveness, features, size, condition, and whether the piece can be traced to its original establishment. Signs with a history and documented origin are most desirable and valuable. For example, in 1863, Henry C.

Van Schaack who sold stoves and housewares on State Street, bad a golden tea-kettle sign, with a domed cover and graceful gooseneck spout, hanging outside his shop, appropriately called the Sign of the Golden Tea Kettle. Because of its historical significance, the sign likely would command a four-figure price today. But its whereabouts are unknown. Perhaps it's in someone's attic. ANOTHER PIECE of Chicago history is a 3- by 4-foot, decorated, ceramic teapot.

It was presented to Burley and Tyrrell, china, glass, and crockery importers and dealers, whose firm dates to 1841 in Chicago, as an advertisement from the English pottery end china firm of Meakin, which started in 1845 and is still in existence. The gigantic Meakin teapot can be seen in the Chicago Historical Clark Street at North Avenue. Another huge English-made piece is an 82-gaIlon copper tea kettle that hung outside a Gloucestershire tea parlor. The oversized kettle has a gooseneck spout and an unusual lid, with a regular-sized tea kettle, exactly like the large one finial. ESTATE AUCTION THURSDAY, JANUARY 1 American Legion Hall Rt.

58 E. River Plain, R. CHAMPAGNE PREVIEW 12 NOON AUCTION 1PM SeMng the antiques Irani an Oak Park Estate and others. LAMPS Signed TKtany laadad lamp. Tiltany deed lamp, lampa by Handel to Include Poineettla shade, reverse painted shades, desk lamp and other ltmP GLASSWARE CHINA A nfc selection ot Tiffany and Stueben.

pair ot Sevre uma, Flo Blue buy susen and other pieces. 12" ckHsonna vaaa, R.S, Prussia, pelf o( rare Chinese bases. Hawks pitcher, matching aatauma lamp vaaa, Norltake service lor 12, cut glass decanter, and other pieces, hand, painted portrait plates and other pieces, bisque Hguhnes pass mora. FURNITURE SaqtiMla 18th Century French cheat carved Iquor cabinet, NgMy carved entrance bench, French commodes circa 1920, Victorian love-seat, French etagere, French coffee' table endtabie and many other COLLECTIBLES 25 Hummels to Include vary rare "Congratulatlona and other to crown, lull Bee, and currant marks. Royal DouHon Toby mugs, goirj pocketwatchee.

Join Us New Year's Day PACE AUCTIONS 2960773 www ar spiritual to hallucinatory, but otherworldly is a better word, Misrach is most interested in the self-contained world a photograph makes. His primary concern is formal: How a square or rectangle influences a centrally placed object, bow a flash directs and orders perception, and other such considerations, A photograph is oof reality. ART MARKETPLACE BEULAH'S PLACE MOTION MCTUMS MOTION PICTUMS 1st. Rim Chkajgaloito MOTION PKTUMS lt. Run CMcagatond ART SALE ART WAREHOUSES YEAR-END INVENTORY TAX CLEARANCE MOTION PlCTUtlS 1st.

Rua Chliagolond MOTION PtCTUMS 1st. Rim Chkogolcnd EVERYTKNG FOR THE SPORTS COLLECTOR Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey Plus Much More Sports Memorabilia flVERVi MILUON CARDS TO CHOOSE. FROM We buy and sell Sports Collectibles. Located In theGlN-VIEWPLAZA 1863 Waukegan Rd Glenview, Ht 312998-5252 HOLIDAY HOURS Mondav-Friday Noor9PM- 1st. tw Chic Saturdays 10-6 Sundays 10-5 saturaays iu-0 ourraays i wwwwwwwwwwwwwwl Remember when comedy was King, now he's President Our Entire Inventory Must be SALE NEVER BEFORE.

NEVER Hundreds Hundreds ot ORIGINAL OIL PAINTINGS will be sold at a fraction of their value! FRAMES Sofa Size I Big Jon's Indoor Flea Market 4810 N. Pulatkt Chicago (Formarly lat Oaattuain Bktg) Open Every Set. A Sun. 8 AM to 6 PM Expanded Christmas Hours Fri. Dec.

12th ft 19th 5 PM to 10 PM 696-3050 8230752 SUNDAY ONLY 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CHICAGO Ford City Holiday kn 7353 S. Cicero Ave. SCHAUMBURG Sheraton Inn Walden 1725 Algonquin 2 blocks West of Rt.

53 k. A OAK BROOK Sheraton-Oakbrook MERRILLVILLE Holiday Inn 1401 W. 22nd St. 1-65 US 30 euTsn rtooKFOne MMtOaMtUTSaOe SNTMUS PLaM MAJIKIT Sat-Sun s-t. It Quality Peakjra A(ssJajoeOoio Co1cc(IWm FiafTiHucir- PrimHivM lUaanOas -Sf avr lift SL A Sandy Hbbjw accept major credit cars personal checks iav3R7-eee3 A.M.

FLEA MARKET 4ajwtkMMrriMaFM ahjrlrig Tltouaanoa of BaBaat lor Everyone OTTWtlOtlCOUJCTOI Coma a Stampa, Antquaa. TmrJng CaVbtt Hwivnoss. FUTIiirWOOCKINaMlffkl CASHmZtl CMCAGW NEWEST BREWSTER ANTIQUES MALL 500 Dfvray Parkway i iSiayieaas4ie4saif SomtHMog For Everyone 8 M-F 12-8 10-6 Holiday greetings AUTHENTIC ANTIQUES (Am A Uttli Antiques, Lti aaas Harlaas derrvia (at Gamvisw Road) FROM THE ANTIQUE BAZAAR 924 Ogden Lisle 963-8282 OfSM Oaya 10-1 Thus. RICHARD GRAY GALLERY Haarat 1 Highland Bolivian Textiles December 13. 1880 January 10, 1981 HONOLERS i PARIS FLEA MARKET at Sheridan Orlva-la Tkaatnt HARLEM a 7erh 5W4JH OPEN EVERY SAT 1UN HEADQUARTERS ftr Flea Market Dealer let Our Ad Under Mdse tor Sale.

last Hied tectls Friday a BAROAINS OALORE-CMON OUT are va epaa ktl N. Wltxhatttf Beacaa Aims. OtlandPk SHOP Ul.llfl JEWELRY fURN. CLOTHES a snun lu kkve rgu Old Bank Antioue Shoe 1431 Beacon 4e0-779 Tha Olngerbreae) House 14N0 Beacon Ave. (HOAWt 4SD.M10 Both QpariT Oaya A Week HOKIN GALLERY INC.

200 East Ontario street, CNoago, retools 60811 Tsttpnone 312286-1211 mi- Visit The MARKETPLACE ANTIQUES OPEN dava ANTIQUE SHOW GALORE SS Ecrnoe, Crete. II PRANBCFORT ANTIQUE SHOPS Country charm. Rta SB 45. Ran accttt from l-ao 1-57, tls-W-Wt1 Vat telectloa ot Form ru re. Print Jewalrv, CMna, Fttaltlves.

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Tht PnUOtrM Tmnataror Otormanofffw JoMOanolMI MMfitotcoHouororr DANIEL MELNICK BUCK HENRY JOHN PHILIP SOUSA RALPH DUftNS ruin mmt mmm SPSOAL SXHIBmOM PAINTINGS FROH INDIA PHILLIPS BLACK WELL Buyers and sellers get. together in Hat NORTH LINCOLN AVINUS MMfH Me-74T MT.PROSPICT.CIHrU Mt. Prospect DIANA PICKWICK Homewood ParkFUdgd SOUTHLAKE MerrilMlle, Ind. WOODFIELD Schaumburg YORXTOWN Lombard TlnleyPark EVAN3TON Evanston DEIRFIZLD Deerbrook NOttlDGE Norridge WATMTOWEa Chicago-Near North FLAZA Chicago-North FORD CITY Chicago-Southwest Tribune Action Want Ads call 222-2222. You get more of eithing- news, features, entertainment, sports inthelnbune.

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