BY KATE REYNOLDS
Few things define elegance and refinement quite so quintessentially as porcelain.
Among the most prized by modern collectors is the colorful, densely patterned Imari porcelain created in Japan for the export market beginning in the 1600s. Rare, delicate and exquisite, it held such value that Queen Elizabeth I of England was said to have bestowed it as gifts to her favorites.
You needn’t have connections to royalty to have access to an abundance of this sought-after collectible, however. Ron Clemmer of Fireside Antiques has been collecting and dealing in Imari, as well as fine Chinese, Dutch and English porcelains, for over 30 years and his Biltmore Village showroom has become a Mecca for aficionados throughout the United States.
Clemmer’s knowledge of, and passion for, Japanese porcelains provides an invaluable resource for collectors of all levels, and the shop offers treasures for both the novice and the seasoned buyer with a broad range of prices: a quartet of unusual sushi plates with a crane motif can be had for under $150, while a pair of extremely rare, covered jars is tagged at $10,000.
Fireside also offers a selection of fine English furnishings and accessories, and if you’d like to know how to best integrate them into a new or existing home décor, Ron, who is also an interior designer, can certainly assist.
Complementing the jewel tones of the porcelains are the splendid offerings of Richard Yaffin, a selective, second generation estate jeweler who shares the space with Clemmer. His glittering showcases of precious gemstones lead one to the delightful dilemma of whether diamonds, rubies, sapphires or fine porcelains are really a girl’s best friends.
Fireside Antiques is located at 30-32 All Souls Crescent in Asheville, 828-274-5977. Hours are Monday – Saturday, 10-5. For Richard Yaffin Estate Jewlery, call 828-274-7007.
