From Italy to the Avenues to the World
48 years ago in a small Italian village, Antonio's father, a cabinet maker, discovered the astonishing work of his twelve year old son. The young boy had secretly refinished an old French desk. To his father's surprise, the finish showed remarkable beauty and refined subtlety. Fortunately, the father understood his responsibility of teaching his son the techniques of cabinet making and period restoration. And over the next six years Antonio's passion and dedication drove him to the highest artistic level. A level that would have earned him the prestigious title of "Master" in the era of the 18th century Guilds.
In 1958, without knowing exactly why, the seventeen year old Antonio left the Renaissance land of Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, and Botecelli and arrived at the western port of the modern world - San Francisco. There, he was hired by a local furniture repair shop operating out of a garage. Even in those dilapidated surroundings, clients easily recognized Antonio's prodigious talent.
Soon, Antonio opened the doors to his own small restoration shop on 17th Avenue in San Francisco's Sunset District.
Not surprisingly, his reputation continued to spread rapidly. And it caught the attention of the renowned Gallo Wine family. Upon visiting Antonio's shop, the senior Gallo was struck by more than the quality of the young Antonio's restorations. Gallo marveled at the few stunning pieces of period antiques Antonio had brought back with him from a recent visit to Italy. Gallo quickly commissioned Antonio to re-furnish the Gallo estate with period furniture, and restore the existing architecture to its original condition. That moment would hallmark Antonio's meteoric rise to the global stage of Antiques.
Two short years later, in 1960, Antonio claimed the prestigious corner spot in San Francisco's historic Jackson Square. Other antique dealers quickly followed Antonio's lead and set up shop there too. Today, that one block strip, headed by Antonio's, is one of the most famous antique centers in the United States.
Hidden Splendor in the City
"To see one or two truly extraordinary pieces in any antique shop today is rare. To see 48,000 square feet worth is unimaginable - and simply mind-boggling."
Antonio's Antiques occupies two distinct - and extremely different - locations. The one on Jackson Square serves the public at large. Bryant Street, however, is reserved for the gifted connoisseur.
The Jackson Square address is, as you would suspect, impeccably decorated. Glorious period antiques gracefully adorn its 3,000 square feet. Each piece proudly displays itself - the center of its own world. Picturing one of these magnificent pieces in your home does not tax the imagination. Here, friendly employees in clean white smocks receive you attentively - and genuinely. And the antiques - each one museum quality - would add to the splendor of any home.
The real treasure trove, however, impatiently awaits a few blocks away. Long known as a rich hunting ground for museums, world connoisseurs, decorators, and interior designers, the Bryant Street address unintentionally overwhelms its visitors. 45,000 square feet, packed to the brim. 3 gigantic floors. Thousands of the world's finest period antiques. Each piece extremely rare. It's a dazzling display of historic riches. Three magnificent centuries rapidly unfold in quick succession. The rhythm almost assaults the senses. You get the feeling that five lifetimes of passionate collecting would yield only a fraction of this treasure. And you're right.
At the Bryant Street "warehouse", as it is affectionately known, you are greeted by employees in blue smocks. Often slightly stained from the day's work. That's because on the first floor Antonio orchestrates his vast restoration projects. (see "A Vanishing Art" below) But it's the space one flight up where the sensual experience really begins.
On the second floor, thousands of rare English pieces compete for your attention. All styles and periods crowd together in one place. From early gothic to late Neoclassical. William and Mary, Queen Anne, George I, II, and III. Elizabethan, James I and II. Charles I and II. All rare and exquisite period antiques.
On the third floor, stunning French period antiques abound. From early Regence to late Empire. All the French dynasties faithfully represented. The Valois. The Bourbons - with all the Louis. And the Directoire. You instinctively know historic French monarchs and the aristocracy have written letters from these bureau plats and reclined in leisure on these bergeres.
Yes, it's here at the Bryant Street address where sheer vastness replaces controlled decorated spaces. Where loving clutter supersedes pristine arrangements. But it is here where you can best see the finest period antiques on display - each one carefully selected by the "Eye of the Master."
The Collector's Edge
We collect antiques for a variety of reasons. Love. Preserving history. Creating magnificent living spaces. Yet, a common theme weaves its way through each one. The ardent search for the rare, unique, and exquisite.
Where do you find objects of uncommon beauty? Antique shops ... Private sales ... Europe - perhaps? The reality is, the quality of any antique you find for sale is only as good as the "eye" of the seller. Too often, commercial considerations dominate aesthetics.
Not true at Antonio's. Antonio is a rare and exceptional human being. His greatest love is beauty. You see that the moment you enter his gallery. Every piece radiates uncommon splendor.
Unlike anything you've ever seen. Perhaps that's why the international antique community coined the phrase "eye of the Master" referring to Antonio.
When you consider that over the last 40 years Antonio has amassed 48,000 square feet of the rare, unique, and exquisite, you understand why Antonio's is not only the best place to search - it may be the only place. No wonder the great museums of the world come to Antonio's.
Antonio's Intangible Assets
What distinguishes a good antique from a great antique? What details reveal the hand of an 18th century guild master from those of a very good craftsman? What fine points communicate hidden repairs as opposed to original condition? These are questions whose answers can elude even the most skillful museum antique appraisers.
That is why the world's great museums seek out Antonio's as a source of new acquisitions. "We've come to depend on his eye" said one museum curator. Unlike most antique dealers who have a "team" of buyers, it is Antonio, alone, who travels to Europe and decides which piece returns to the U. S. and which one stays behind.
"Our museum understands the importance of historic accuracy when it comes to antique furniture. We feel confident in every acquisition we've made from Antonio" says another curator.
Interestingly, when Rob Reiner filmed "An American President" he demanded that the Oval Office have period antiques for absolute authenticity. He, of course, came to Antonio's.
When the movie was finished, Rob himself ended up purchasing some of the "set."
But perhaps the most compelling reason museums turn to Antonio's is the extensive collection from which to choose. Anyone who's been to the Bryant Street address can attest to that. And anyone who's met Antonio knows that the intensity of his passion for collecting the world's finest antiques is equaled by the time and energy he puts in. After 30 years, his convictions are stronger than ever.
Paul Novak, Antonio's Gallery Director, puts it this way ... "It's as if he were on a one-man mission to rescue every truly great antique from around the world, and give it a home. He's like History's guardian."
It is these intangibles that the great institutions, and private collectors, have grown accustomed to over the years. And it is these intangibles that they can rely on for many years to come.
A Vanishing Art Kept Alive - for Now
We all wish every antique could survive centuries of use and come out totally unblemished. But, that's not even conceivable.
Fortunately, "period" restorations, performed with the exact same techniques used in the making of the original, will preserve both beauty and value.
Trouble is, few, if any, know the techniques of the past. Today newer, faster, easier methods have replaced the painstaking procedures that would have insured authentic restorations. Why?
You see, there's no official written documentation on by-gone techniques. No "how-to" books passed from one generation to the next. And the truth is, period restoration is an art few would be interested in today.
But at Antonio's you can still get faithful period restorations. Performed with exacting techniques and meticulous care. That's because Antonio has inherited generations of historic techniques and faithfully employs them in every restoration project.
We extend to you an invitation to our Bryant Street restoration shop. There you'll find a past era alive and thriving. An era when furniture was hand crafted - not machine spun. Where one guild carved the body, another guild executed the veneer, another the varnish, and yet another cast the ormolu. An era where great beauty was paramount.
Why Do We Mention it Here?
In the complex and irresistible world of antiques, emotion can often get the better of the intellect. It's easily understandable. In the fervent pursuit of possessing the rare, beautiful, or famous, research and due diligence are sometimes given secondary importance.
That's why we offer here a list of a few of our more high profile clients. These are Antonio's loyal customers who are generally well known to the public.
Those whose life and reputation depend a lot on public image. Those who would not make a decision - even the decision to buy an antique - without taking the advice of trusted professionals who perform their due diligence.
We sincerely hope that you will see this not as an attempt to name drop but take it as our way of making you feel a little more comfortable when choosing Antonio's as your resource for period antiques.
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| Ralph Lauren | Designer |
| Larry Ellison | Oracle, CEO |
| Randolph & Veronica Hearst | Newspaper family, philanthropists |
| Gerald Ford | Former president |
| Joe & Jennifer Montana | Former 49ers quarterback |
| Steve Martin | Actor, comedian |
| Carol Bayer Sager | Songwriter |
| Rob Reiner | Actor, director |
| Danielle Steele | Author |
| Boz Scaggs | Musician |
| Bill Blass | Designer |
| Oprah Winfrey | TV Talk Show Host |
| Robert Metzger | Interior designer |
| Hasso Platner | SAP America (software company) |
| John Chambers | Cisco Systems |
| Bruce Gregga | Interior designer |
| The Gallo Family | Wine Makers |