The grand opening of Anthony's Antiques and Fine Arts last Thursday night celebrated a perfect marriage, uniting one of Salt Lake City's most impressive historical buildings and some of the finest antiques found in Utah, or, for that matter, in the entire country.
It has always been the dream of gallery owner Anthony "Tony" Christensen to place antiques and fine art in a building that would complement these treasures. It was finally realized when he moved to his new location at 401 E. 200 South.The exterior of the building boasts of massive columns and impressive pediment, a classical style that originated with the Greeks and Romans.
Built at the turn of the century, this edifice first housed the Immanuel Baptist Church. Later, it was used as an LDS stake center, a bank and a practice hall for the Utah Symphony.
"The magnificent architecture of our new building really adds a lot to the overall atmosphere," Christensen said. "The building has an elaborately decorated stained-glass ceiling . . . I really think that our new building is a wonderful place to showcase our art and antiques."
When I walked through the front doors of Christensen's new gallery, I had no idea of the memorable experience that lay ahead.
As I slowly made my way through a labyrinth of halls and rooms on the three floors, I became increasingly aware that some of antiques would fit beautifully in a contemporary setting. Even better, some were selling at a price that even I could afford.
"Just walking around our showroom can be an exciting and educational experience," the owner said.
And for me, it was both, since Christensen took me on a cook's tour. It soon became obvious that he was extremely knowledgeable about antiques, period furniture and fine art.
- As we visited the showroom's top level, we stopped in front of a bedroom suite made in Milan, Italy, in the 1920s. The headboard and the two night stands were impressive. But the large armoire, covered with a number of bas-relief castings and haute-relief sculpture of rose garlands and putti, that commanded the most attention.
- Christensen pointed to French walnut bedroom furniture built during the third quarter of the 19th century. He explained that several styles were used here - one of them reflected the Renaissance revival of dragon and griffin imagery.
- We admired a Gothic Revival linden-wood bookcase with its smooth yet detailed surface. Integrated into the design were two free-standing carvings - one of Erasmus, the other of Marco Polo.
- We were drawn to a break front (china cabinet) for a dining room designed in a style that dates back to the Napoleon III period.
"I buy principally in France, Belgium, Italy and the Far East," Christensen explained. "I can't be in two places at one time, so I don't travel extensively. Instead, I have agents in those countries with whom I work."
"Eclectic" is a word that best describes Christensen's offerings, since they range from ornate period furniture to contemporary items:
A satinwood grand piano is an effective art deco and art nuovo; a carved wooden grainer door from Africa's Dogon tribe; a large woodcarving of a Dogon chief, his wife and servants; large, unadorned 18th-century olive oil urns; a 1940 Wurlitzer 1015 jukebox; bronze fountains; a set of carved marble putti representing the four seasons; rare needlepoint and Aubossonweave rugs; a bronze sculpture of Knaphus' handcart party - about one-third the size of the one found on Temple Square.
Also paintings by such fine artists as by J.T. Harwood, Michael Coleman and Myra Sawyer, who spent more time studying painting in France than any other early Utah painter.
And in the basement are rooms filled with country and pine furniture - from sleigh beds to handsome wooden deck chairs with simple lines that reflect a contemporary feel.
The list could go on and on; antiques and fine arts listed above are only the tip of the iceberg.
Of all his offerings, Christensen is most proud of a French diretoirre garniture three-piece set - a clock and two candle holders. No price tag is visible. But the initials POR (price on request) gives us a clue.
A few days ago, Christensen received a shipment of 20 Tiffany-style lamps that punctuate the showroom with light and color.
One of them - an impressive spiderweb lamp - sells for only $5,950; but the sale price (through Oct. 8) is only $3,750. Christensen pointed out that a similar lamp owned by Barbra Streisand recently sold for $800,000.
"When people first walk into my showroom," Christensen said, "they are overwhelmed by it. They say, `We don't have a place for this kind of furniture.' "
He pointed out that lamps can go in any home. And, right now, during the sale, the prices for the Tiffany-style bronze lamps range from $600-$4,000. "Labor is the factor," he said. "The bronzes are cast and assembled in the Far East. If they were made in the U.S., they would cost three times the amount."
I fell in love with several lamps. One showed two standing bronze frogs huddled under an open umbrella of colorful stained-glass; another, a 3-D glass sculpture a toucan, was lighted from inside. (In fact, it was purchased right from under my nose); and another, a bronze lamp with a cube base covered with floral and fruit mosaics. The pyramid-shaped glass shade was shaped like green vines growing along two of the four diagonal edges.
The sale continues through Saturday, Oct. 8. The showrooms are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For details, call 328-2231.
Christensen says he has bought and sold antiques ever since he can remember. "It's something that has been in my blood all my life," he confessed.
Even as a child, he was exposed to it, since his grandfather, Phillip Fischler, was an antique dealer.
Before moving to his present location in May, he owned an antique store only two blocks away, at 307 E. 100 South. He was at that location for nine years.
Although Christensen has a knack for scouring the world and finding exceptional antiques and fine arts, he says he's not interested in buying something just because it's a great price.
"I am more of an aesthetician than a collector," he admitted. "When I buy, I rely a lot on my sense of aethetics. However, the pieces I buy must also reflect quality and integrity."
As a result, people visiting his showroom are soon caught up in a stunning, visual experience.
His antique business is basically a family affair. His son-in-law Brett LeVitre is store manager, while Brett's wife, Jennifer, and Christensen's wife, Lynda, create the floral and fruit arrangements. Christensen's mother, Mildred Fischler Christensen, gave up a 47-year career as a nurse to become the receptionist in 1987 for her son's antique and fine art showroom.
Christensen and his wife have four children.