This Friday, Saturday and Sunday (November 7 to 9), the glassy lobby of the Demetria Hotel in Colonia Lafayette will resound with the presence of ten exhibitors from throughout Mexico, who are gathering for an exceptional, free event that aims to interest ordinary people in collecting antiquities made before 1945.
“It’s a good moment,” said the event’s organizer and antiques expert Eduardo Chavez. “There has hardly been anything like this in Mexico in recent years, although I organized similar shows in 1999 and 2000.”
Highlights of the showing include a free, Friday evening lecture on painting in New Spain and free appraisals on all three days, from noon to 2 p.m., of antiques brought in by the public.
“People can bring things to appraise in a truck if they want,” Chavez laughed.
He noted that the antiques show will feature items from around the world, but that the majority will be of Mexican origin, including plenty of the arte popular mexicana, dating from around 1830 to 1930, that is favored by foreign collectors.
“This could be alfarería [clay pieces and pottery], items from ranches such as the troughs on display in the bar, or retablos, which are saints painted on wood, or escenas costumbristas, which are scenes with costumed figures of ordinary working people,” Chavez explained.
Nothing will be precolonial, he clarified. The focus is on objects created after 1492 in styles showing European influence.
“The lecture Friday at 7:30 will be given by Dr. Jaime Cuadriello, who is an esthetic investigator for the organization most dedicated to the art of Mexico,” Chavez said. The talk is entitled “La Pintura Novohispana: vida, memoria y descripción, 1550-1720 (Painting from New Spain: life, memory and description, 1550-1720).
Although Chavez is a noted auctioneer, he said no auction is set until next year’s show, now being planned.
Chavez will do the free antiques appraisal along with architect and owner of the hotel, Ivan Cordero.
Muestra de Antigüedades, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 7, 8 and 9, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Demetria Hotel, Avenida La Paz 2219 almost at the corner of Union, Colonia Lafayette, Guadalajara. (33) 3818-0060, www.hoteldemetria.com.