If you think of frames when you think of Lowy, you're on your way to describing the oldest and largest fine arts services firm in the United States. Recognized for its extensive collection of quality period antique frames, Lowy is also known for its restoration and conservation of frames, paintings, and works on paper. "I would estimate," says Lowy president, Larry Shar, "that one third of our business is dedicated to conservation and restoration, one third to buying, selling, and restoring antique frames, and one third to creating reproductions of frames in-house."
The company had its beginnings when Julius Lowy opened a framing business in 1907. Larry's father, Hillard Shar, joined Lowy in the Depression years, but left in 1948 to open an art restoration studio with John Sisto. The two businesses merged in 1956. Larry's son, Brad, vice president of Lowy, represents the third generation of Shars in the company.
All services at Lowy are located at 223 East 80th Street in New York City, except for the carving and restoration facility, which is nearby on 75th Street. Clients have included museums (The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Art Institute of Chicago, and the Amon Carter Museum among them), art dealers, and private collectors from all over the world, many of whom take advantage of Lowy Scan™, a computer system Brad Shar helped to design. All of Lowy's frames have been scanned and downloaded into a database. When the image of a client's work of art is loaded into the system, it can be viewed, showing different framing options, and an appropriate frame can be selected. "The system is so accurate that people feel comfortable making a decision from afar," notes Larry. "And the process saves wear and tear on the frames, as no direct handling is necessary."
At the 2005 Winter Antiques Show, Lowy's annual display will focus on Italian frames from the 16th into the 19th century. Plans are also underway for the gallery's centennial in 2007.
Lowy, New York, N. Y Tel: 212.861.8585, lshar@lowyonline. com
— Cindy Tashjian
The Catalogue of Antiques & Fine Art 197 |
