About

About Daniel Meyerson

The appreciation of quintessential things is in my blood. I’ve been surrounded by quality art and antiques, not necessarily expensive but very decorative with intrinsic value, for most of my life. Both my parents were interested in paintings, sculpture and home furnishings. My mother, in particular, attended many auctions and estate sales in the greater New York area as I was growing up – generally taking me along. We also explored scores of the region’s best antique shops. During the 1970’s my parents and I previewed the Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge Estate Sale – one of the most famous sales of the century – at her estate in New Jersey. One room in particular was filled with animalier bronzes – some life size. There were hundreds of them. Wandering through the estate and among these wonderful objects seeded my life-long interest in fine art and sculpture. My uncle Mel, a great art collector and philanthropist who donated highly valued significant works to major museum and library collections, also influenced me.

These first-hand learning experiences inspired me to begin trading in art and antiques at an early age. I began to sort through the clutter in shops my parents were visiting to find and then buy and/or sell objects that caught my eye. Moving forward, I took multiple art classes as part of my studies in college, eventually earning a B.A. in Economics from NYU with an Art History minor. During my time at NYU I also spent hours exploring New York’s array of museums, historic homes and library collections. It was at this time that I also started following estate sales, auctions and flea markets, plus visiting art galleries and antique shops, on my own. By the time I graduated it was no surprise to me that my life and educational experiences should lead me into a career as a dealer of fine art, antiques and decorative arts.

Though I have educational background for the business, I am essentially a self-taught dealer of fine art, decorative arts and antiques spanning over 30-years. I am a generalist with a solid base of knowledge in 19th and 20th century plus contemporary works that range from paintings and sculpture to decorative arts and furniture, select collectibles/memorabilia categories to lighting and art deco jewelry. My forte is fine art.

My career as a dealer began by selling to other dealers then branching into placing consignments at retail shops in the greater New York area. I eventually opened my own retail spaces in a few of the City’s multi-dealer collectives before establishing my own gallery in New York’s famed Manhattan Art & Antiques Center in 1988.In the early 1990’s I relocated myself to San Francisco where I’ve been an active buying and selling dealer ever since.

I’ve been in business for over 30 years and derive a great deal of satisfaction from my work, which often doesn’t seem like work. I’ve had many wonderful finds in all categories during my career, including drawings by Al Hirschfield, paintings by Leroy Neiman, sculpture by Chaim Gross, furniture by Jens Risom and jewelry byCartier and Van Cleef. I’ve also dealt with several Lincoln autographs and documents.

The thought that I’ve discovered and brought items back to life or center stage, whether through restoration or just spotlighting them in the proper marketplace, is very satisfying. The objects I deal with are quintessential things that have been in families for generations, were lost over time or are treasures that others have not recognized. My motivation is to move such finds into the hands of new families and appreciative collector owners. I truly believe certain items should never be discarded or destroyed.

Inspired both by my parents and uncle Mel, I also cultivated a passion for gifting items to museums and libraries. I’ve donated hundreds of items over the years, ranging from numerous pieces by Al Hirschfield to Harvard University’s Theater Collection, a 1000-items+ collection of various World’s Fair memorabilia to the Smithsonian Museum of American History and over 100 1930s watercolors by California artist Helen Forbes that went to the Crocker Museum in Sacramento. The Forbes gift included studies for the mural she created for the San Francisco Zoo – the largest mural in the U.S. at the time – whose unveiling ceremony was attended by the then President of the U.S.

Gifting to such distinguished organizations is my way of safeguarding a small legacy for future generations to appreciate. Museums and libraries are often interested in acquiring items of merit and cultural value that are not necessarily of extreme value to open or fill out their collections. This is the niche I pursue on their behalf, truly believing that not everything needs to be sold.

My focus with Quintessential Things is to bring consumers from all levels of collecting fairly priced 19th and early-to-mid-20th century American, French and English art and furnishings opportunities that are functional, one-of-a-kind, beautiful and/or artful. All objects we offer will help personalize and enhance any home or work environment. The trustworthy and exciting shopping experience presented at Quintessential Things is built upon my expertise and appreciation of fine artistry, craftsmanship and traditions.I absolutely believe that high quality, historic or artistic articles of merit culled from previous eras and civilizations have long intrigued mankind’s most perceptive people – and never go out of style.

Your home or office should always be a place that warms and welcomes you on your return, reflecting your personal aesthetic style signature. Fine art and antiques that make up an entire home or office, or are selected gems that highlight a more eclectic spirit, give a sense of uniqueness while calming the mind and entertaining the eye. With careful collecting and design one can make a special place – unique as the owner and loved for the emotional feelings of calm, contentment and familiarity they create. The goal of Quintessential Things is to provide an ever-changing offering of art and antiques that can become the jewels of any home or workplace – objects of increasing emotional and value appreciation.

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