Explore D.R. Abbot Gallery’s fascinating antique gallery, featuring unusual antiques, antique glass, antique wood, antique lamps & furniture, Asian antiques, and antique jewelry in downtown St. Augustine on historic Aviles Street. The distinctive antiques and treasures of the antique gallery spark curiosity and conversation.
Antique Categories
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Unusual Finds
D.R. Abbott Gallery features a curated section of “Unusual Finds” alongside its fine art and antiques. These items are hand-selected by owner David Abbott from his extensive personal collection and are intended to spark curiosity and conversation among visitors.
Distinctive Antiques
The gallery showcases a range of historical pieces, from carved chests to unique collectibles that reflect the creative spirit of St. Augustine.
Artisanal Glass and Wood
Rare or visually striking pieces made from glass and wood are a staple of the antique gallery unique collection.
Discovery-Oriented Treasures
Many items are chosen specifically because they are “conversation pieces” that invite discovery and differ from standard gallery offerings.
Antique Glass
The antique gallery glass art collection is characterized by a blend of historical craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetic, featuring pieces that prioritize “discovery” and “curiosity” A variety of glassware and unique collectibles are part of the permanent collection.
Techniques & Variety
The antique gallery showcases a diverse range of glasswork, including hand-blown vessels, intricate stained glass, and carved decorative pieces.
Aesthetic Focus
Many of the glass items are “unusual finds” designed to spark conversation. The collection often includes works that utilize light and texture, such as sandblasted matte finishes or vibrant, multi-layered color infusions.
Historical Context
As part of an antiques-focused gallery, the glass art often bridges the gap between functional vintage items and modern sculptural forms, reflecting the creative spirit of the nation’s oldest street.
Antique Wood
The D.R. Abbott Gallery features antique wood primarily in the form of hand-carved collectibles and functional furniture.
Hand-Carved Craftsmanship
The antique gallery showcases intricate pieces such as antique German Black Forest jewelry boxes, known for their detailed, high-relief wood carvings.
Artistic Integration
Wood is frequently used as a foundational material for decorative lighting, including lamps with lead glass and wood bases.
Furniture & Decorative Arts
The collection includes larger wooden items like carved chests, which are selected for their historical artistry and ability to “spark curiosity”.
Lamps & Furniture
Curated Selection
The antique gallery furniture features hand-selected pieces such as carved chests and other items that emphasize distinctive craftsmanship and historical storytelling. Unlike massive antique malls, the gallery focuses on “one-of-a-kind” pieces that spark curiosity, such as rare antique lamps, carved antique chests and statement wooden items.
Notable Pieces
The furniture collection often includes intricate woodwork, such as sculptures (e.g., a carved wooden redtail hawk by Leland Brewsaugh) and classic household furnishings like antique dressers. Antique lamps include Tiffany Studios desk lamps and lead glass wood base lamps.
Asian Antiques
D.B. Abbott features high-end, 18th-century furniture and decorative arts from across East and Southeast Asia, including Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese ceramics and artifacts. Curated selection often includes significant items such as Chinese painting tables and low beds, alongside broader Asian antiques, reflecting a focus on historically significant, high-quality pieces.
Items are often sourced from notable collections or shipwrecks, indicating a focus on provenance and historical value. These pieces are often presented alongside contemporary art, creating a juxtaposition between historic, traditional, and modern styles.
Furniture
Highlighted items include 18th-century Chinese, and Southeast Asian, furniture, specifically focusing on functional pieces like tables and low beds.
Historical Ceramics
The antique gallery collection includes Southeast Asian and Chinese ceramics, some of which are sourced from notable shipwreck recoveries. Key pieces often include Ming and Qing Dynasty porcelain, Sawankhalok (Thai) covered boxes featuring underglaze iron decorations with lotus and star motifs, and small “jarlets” from various periods.
Historical Ceramics
The collection includes Southeast Asian and Chinese ceramics, some of which are sourced from notable shipwreck recoveries. Key pieces often include Ming and Qing Dynasty porcelain, Sawankhalok (Thai) covered boxes featuring underglaze iron decorations with lotus and star motifs, and small “jarlets” from various periods.
Jewelry
The antique gallery features a curated selection of unique, artistic jewelry designed to be cherished as wearable art. The collection emphasizes one-of-a-kind, high-quality and often limited-edition pieces. It aligns with the gallery’s focus on, and appreciation for, distinctive, handcrafted artistry.
Distinctive Original Artistry
The pieces are described as works of art, rather than just accessories. The collection emphasizes thoughtful details and unique designs that are intended to be cherished as heirloom-quality items. The gallery focuses on unique one-of-a-kind jewelry you cannot find anywhere else.
Curated Selection
In addition to local artist creations, the gallery showcases hand-selected treasures from owner David Abbott’s extensive personal collection of antiques and fine objects.
