Allan Katz feels that "a fine folk art object transcends time." He and his wife Penny are passionate about the pieces they represent, which covers all categories of period American folk art, with an accent on sculptural work. Their eye for design is first rate.
Allan, like nearly everyone in the antiques business, has had a previous career. His was with Parametrics, a maker of electronic variable speed motor controls, which he helped found in 1970. During that same time he began collecting folk art. At first he was captivated by nineteenth-century advertising signs, two-dimensional stone lithographs reproduced on paper and tin. Fascinated by the simple imagery of the pieces, he built one of the largest collections in the country. When show promoter Sanford Smith enticed Allan into doing one of his American antiques shows in the early 1980s, Allan was off and running. Allan soon sold his company and since then he’s devoted himself to dealing.
Since their marriage six years ago, Penny has devoted her energies full-time to the business. Prior to meeting Allan, she earned a masters in social work from Columbia University and ran a department of social work in a community hospital. Always appreciative of well-designed objects, over the past six years Penny has amassed an extensive personal collection of German art deco airbrush pottery. She has two married sons, Brett and Erik.
Allan and Penny Katz do eight antiques shows a year and deal by appointment from their gallery home. When visiting, one can also view their private collection of period American folk art, which was assembled prior to Allan's becoming a dealer and has not been added to since. Says Allan, "We don't compete with our clients, everything we acquire is available for sale."
Allan Katz Americana, 25 Old Still Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525. 203.393.9356; www.antiquesandfineart.com/katz.
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