Zonta supporters are excited about “Peek at the Unique Repurposed,” the re-imagined annual fundraiser created for 2021 by the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva. While the online auction is almost over (closing at midnight on Wednesday, March 10) you can still book a personal appointment for Saturday, March 13 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with either a gem/jewelry expert or an antiques appraiser who has Antiques Roadshow experience.
Grandmother’s china: is it worth the cupboard space?
This is a rare opportunity to have valuables informally assessed in a relaxed setting, the new Blue Giraffe in Beachview Estates (at Sanibel Island Golf Club). For jewelry, book with Carlos Fernandez of Congress Jewelers on Sanibel. Mr. Fernandez, with Congress since 1998, is a diamond graduate of the Gemological Institute of America with over 30 years’ experience, specializing in antique and vintage jewelry, watches and signed period pieces.
For lap-size antique items—pictures, glassware, china ornaments—book with H. Peter Curran. For larger items, bring a photograph. Mr. Curran, a member of Appraisers Association of America, has extensive experience appraising American and European paintings, prints, silver and furniture from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries; for six years, he toured with Antiques Roadshow. He also served behind the scenes, pre-screening material.
(1) Grandfather’s watch: could it help fund college for a grandchild? (Image courtesy Nic Co UK, Unsplash)
Reservations are still available for both appraisal types. For a $100 donation (tax-deductible), receive a 15-minute session covering up to three items. Book at ZontaSanCap.org or bit.ly/ZontaPeek. COVID-19 protections will be observed.
Zontians Barbara Beran and Halle Smith, event co-chairs, said: “Retiring and moving to Sanibel, many of us downsized from larger homes, and brought favorite items to new homes here. Our idea is to bring them for evaluation, then you can display them prominently because they turn out to be valuable, or finally discard them, having hung on to them for too long.”
Another idea: If you purchased items in the online auction, you can pick them up on March 13 at the Sanibel Community House and then head for the Blue Giraffe for lunch and your appraisal appointment. And while these are not certified appraisals, both experts will offer a discount should participants need a formal appraisal later.
As always, all proceeds will go in grants to organizations whose mission of empowering women mirrors Zonta’s own. Since 2002, the “Peek” home tour has enabled Zonta to distribute over $1 million in grants to area non-profits. Visit ZontaSanCap.org for information about the club, the “Peek,” and to donate.
