Charleston: A Veritable Paradise for Art & Antiques Lovers
Charleston is a veritable paradise for art and antiques lovers. The city's historic district is the perfect backdrop for showcasing the treasures of the area's rich past, as well as the talents of artists and artisans of today.
The arts have long been an important part of Charleston's fabric. For centuries, the city has produced, nurtured, and encouraged artists of all disciplines... its magnificent architecture, natural beauty, moderate climate and colorful people providing infinite inspiration to artists and art lovers, alike.
While the art community is woven into the city's culture, the last decade seems to mark a new era for the visual arts in the area. This "coming of age" began when the spotlight fell on the city as a paradise for visitors. Once the "best kept secret in the South," Charleston has emerged as one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the Southeast. And with this surge in tourism, fresh eyes began to fall on the works of some of Charleston's own great masters and emerging talents. Among the visitors who came were other artists from across the nation, who were lured by the city's charm, and sold by the cohesive and supportive environment afforded local artists. Slowly the art community began to grow in numbers and in visibility.
A trip to the Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston's only fine art museum, reveals much about the city's love and commitment to the visual arts. Established in 1858, the Gibbes provides a distinguished collection of historic and contemporary works as well as a year round schedule of fascinating art exhibitions, programs and family events. The museum offers access to a collection of over 10,000 American works, including paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, sculpture and miniature rooms. The Gibbes works diligently to exhibit the works of Charleston's own fine artists.
Carolina Fine Paintings and Prints, which opened in 1963, is Charleston's oldest art gallery. More than 25 years later, the Wells Gallery opened its doors. With two successful galleries operating, the time seemed right for others to test the waters. They did, and the art community bloomed. Today, the art galleries that line the streets of historic Charleston, particularly in the French Quarter, are a testament to the city's continued committed to the visual arts. Like the arts, antique dealers found a natural home in Charleston. Again, history played its part.
It would be difficult to separate Charleston's antebellum homes from the magnificent furniture, porcelain, silver, art and other finery that filled them. As far back as the late 1700s and into the early 1800s, a new breed of cabinetmakers, silversmiths and other craftsmen had evolved in Charleston to fill the demand of wealthy planters and merchants for fine items to decorate their mansions that lined the peninsular city. These craftsmen often had King Street addresses. By the early 19th century, hundreds of small businesses also traded along King Street, many selling to eager shoppers from wagons loaded with cotton and other goods parked along the street. Sadly, in the years after the Civil War, this once bustling marketplace fell into ruin.
Even as Charleston struggled to recover after years of war, and bouts of devastating fires, hurricanes and earthquakes, the wares of the city's fine craftsmen did not go unnoticed by savvy dealers up and down the East Coast. By 1920, the antiques industry was going strong in Charleston, even as King Street remained virtually abandoned. By the middle of the 20th century, a group of visionary men and women began restoring Charleston to its former beauty and elegance. King Street was no exception. As new decades of hope unfolded, what remained of old shops and businesses along King was bought, restored and reopened.
Today's King Street is a shopper's greatest fantasies come to life. Imagine it, a shopping street nearly 20 blocks long, dubbed "The Antiques District" by locals, bedecked with palmetto trees, charming architecture, inns, cafes, and extraordinary shops. Beginning at Whitepoint Gardens (where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers meet to "form the Atlantic Ocean") one may enjoy a leisurely walk up through lower King Street's historic residential district, catching glimpses through wrought iron gates into private gardens. In no time, one finds oneself at the corner of King and Queen Streets. A stroll through the King Street Antiques District can quickly turn into an adventure in antiquing.
Before you start your journey through Charleston's old antiques district, be sure to stop into the resource center and gift shop of The Preservation Society of Charleston [147 King Street]. This is a good place to pick up guides, maps, and tips from friendly volunteers; not to miss the wonderful selection of Charleston-oriented gifts. From late September through October, the Society holds its Candlelight Tours of Homes and Gardens. Tour tickets are available in the shop, or advance reservations may be made by calling (843) 722-4630.
One of the first shops in the antique district features American furniture and decorative arts, with a focus on beautiful original condition or expertly restored pieces. Even British antique collectors find it interesting to distinguish the American pieces from English designers of the 18th century. Do stop and shop at Livingston Antiques, which boast over 30,000 square feet of fine antiques at 163 King Street. (www.livingstonantiques.com). This shop is a "Lowcountry Tradition", open since 1969.
As you progress up the street, you find a number of other stores that feature fine antique furniture and elegant small antiques. Don't miss the large selection of estate jewelry from all periods: wonderful old settings, and cameos, mourning jewelry and precious gems to suit the most discriminating client. Silver, rough-cut crystal vases, porcelain, and china are also among the offerings. No antiques district would be complete without at least one store dedicated to the Art Deco and Modernist periods. The one on King Street has a stylish storefront filled with furniture and decorative objects that capture the elegance and verve of the Paris exhibition of 1925.
While in the area, antique lovers are also finding their way to a string of larger antique showrooms along Savannah Highway and a stretch of Mount Pleasant's Coleman Boulevard that includes individual dealers and craftsmen, as well as multi-dealer malls.
The 4th Annual Charleston International Antiques Show (CIAS) - March 2007:
Sponsored by Historic Charleston Foundation, a non-profit organization and nationally recognized leader in the field of historic preservation. Renowned for three centuries as "a city set in a garden," Charleston will welcome the return of spring with this extraordinary event, allowing visitors to experience first-hand some of the nation's most impressive antiques, historic interiors and garden design.
The CIAS has established itself as a premier destination for both seasoned collectors as well as those who just enjoy seeing and learning about the decorative arts. The dealers who participate feature a diverse range of antiques from the late 17th to the early 20th century, including American, Asian and European furniture, silver and porcelain, textiles, ceramics, vintage jewelry and clothing and garden furniture.
For exact dates, tickets and information: 843-722-3405 or www.historiccharleston.org.
For a guide to Arts and Antiques shopping in Charleston, click here.
Livingston Antiques is one of the largest purveyors of fine antiques in the southeastern United States. We offer a select inventory of antique furniture, decorative items and fine art from around the world. A Lowcountry tradition since 1969, Livingston offers fine European antiques at two convenient locations.
USA Today mentioned Bocci's as one of the leading Italian restaurants in the United States. Bocci's is ably managed by Kelly Cooper who sees that the young attractive staff knows exactly what they're talking about when they describe the excellent menu as well as nightly specials and ensures that the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.
Julia Santen Gallery provides a glimpse of European advertising at the turn of the 20th Century. Covering the walls of the gallery are large splashes of color inviting you to the Moulin Rouge, offering you champagne and brashly selling you cigarette papers. The gallery’s selection includes the Belle Epoch, Art Nouveau, art Deco and contemporary periods.
Charleston is a veritable paradise for art and antiques lovers. The city's historic district is the perfect backdrop for showcasing the treasures of the area's rich past, as well as the talents of artists and artisans of today.
A trip to the Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston's only fine art museum, reveals much about the city's love and commitment to the visual arts. Established in 1858, the Gibbes provides a distinguished collection of historic and contemporary works as well as a year round schedule of fascinating art exhibitions, programs and family events. The museum offers access to a collection of over 10,000 American works, including paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, sculpture and miniature rooms. The Gibbes works diligently to exhibit the works of Charleston's own fine artists.
Even as Charleston struggled to recover after years of war, and bouts of devastating fires, hurricanes and earthquakes, the wares of the city's fine craftsmen did not go unnoticed by savvy dealers up and down the East Coast. By 1920, the antiques industry was going strong in Charleston, even as King Street remained virtually abandoned. By the middle of the 20th century, a group of visionary men and women began restoring Charleston to its former beauty and elegance. King Street was no exception. As new decades of hope unfolded, what remained of old shops and businesses along King was bought, restored and reopened. 
One of the first shops in the antique district features American furniture and decorative arts, with a focus on beautiful original condition or expertly restored pieces. Even British antique collectors find it interesting to distinguish the American pieces from English designers of the 18th century. Do stop and shop at Livingston Antiques, which boast over 30,000 square feet of fine antiques at 163 King Street. (
Livingston Antiques is one of the largest purveyors of fine antiques in the southeastern United States. We offer a select inventory of antique furniture, decorative items and fine art from around the world. A Lowcountry tradition since 1969, Livingston offers fine European antiques at two convenient locations.
USA Today mentioned Bocci's as one of the leading Italian restaurants in the United States. Bocci's is ably managed by Kelly Cooper who sees that the young attractive staff knows exactly what they're talking about when they describe the excellent menu as well as nightly specials and ensures that the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.
Julia Santen Gallery provides a glimpse of European advertising at the turn of the 20th Century. Covering the walls of the gallery are large splashes of color inviting you to the Moulin Rouge, offering you champagne and brashly selling you cigarette papers. The gallery’s selection includes the Belle Epoch, Art Nouveau, art Deco and contemporary periods.
