About Us
Celebrating 90 Years
Nathan Liverant and Son Antiques is proud to be celebrating 90 years in the business of handling fine Americana. Our business has bought and sold thousands of objects over three generations. We have had the privilege of handling objects fashioned by some of the finest craftsmen of the 18th and 19th century.
Our 90 remarkable years in business began in 1920 with Nathan Liverant. At the age of 11 years, Nathan was put on a boat in Odessa, Russia to travel alone to a better life in America. Unfortunately, Nathan’s family never joined him in the new country.
In 1912, Nathan made a delivery trip to a coat factory in Colchester, Connecticut where he immediately fell in love with the town. Nathan later returned with his wife Esther and infant son to settle in Colchester. He supported his young family by doing odd jobs around town and working as a liveryman. By 1920 Nathan acquired a truck, using it to buy and sell scrap metal and other commodities. He soon expanded his business into buying and selling “old furniture” and household goods. Legend has it that one truck full of goods, bought from a local home, yielded the seed of our present antiques business. Nathan left the day’s purchases temporarily on his front lawn where the objects quickly drew the attention of a driver who stopped to take a closer look. The passerby showed interest in a blanket chest, Nathan quoted a fair price, and the purchase was made. That day, Nathan Liverant and Son Antiques was born.
In the 1930’s, his son, Zeke, joined Nathan in the growing business. During World War II Zeke served in the Army, and upon returning home to Colchester he focused his attention on a commitment to work at his father’s Antiques Shop. Zeke’s impact on the established business was a focus on New England furniture and decorative arts. In 1949, Nathan and Zeke relocated their business from the outskirts of town to the vacated 1835 Baptist Meeting House on Main Street, our present location. Arthur Liverant, Zeke’s son and the third generation, joined the business in 1971 continuing the pursuit of the finest examples of Americana available.
In 90 years Nathan Liverant and Son has experienced many collecting trends and market fluctuations. One constant remains; buy the best Americana available, pay the seller a fair price, represent the objects honestly to the buyer and strive to build long-term relationships with the client.
Arthur Liverant
American antiques have surrounded Arthur since his birth. He is the third generation owner of Nathan Liverant and Son and began his career apprenticeship as a young child folding packing blankets, polishing brass and loading boxes. Family dinners at the Liverant household were spiked with enthusiastic discussions about the new discoveries that either his grandfather Nathan, or his father Zeke, had found.
Arthur remains passionate about antiques and enjoys sharing great finds with all who share his keen interest in history and American antiques. He is continually making an effort to refine his eye for great examples of Americana.
Kevin Tulimieri
Kevin J. Tulimieri has been working with Nathan Liverant and Son Antiques since 1999. Following a background in historical research and genealogy, Kevin is dedicated to continual learning and understanding the world of Americana. Together with his wife Jean, he can be found in the Shop, on the Road and at the Shows. But without a doubt, Kevin is most at home browsing through the library or crawling inside a chest of drawers. Growing up in New England, Kevin has long had a fascination with our local history and the relics of our past. He has published numerous articles, including pieces in The Magazine Antiques, The New England Antiques Journal and Antiques and Fine Art.
Kate Avery
Kate Avery joined our team as Shop Manager, Research Assistant and Chief Hospitality Officer in May 2011. A 2006 graduate of the University of Connecticut, Kate previously worked at The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center where she served as Visitor Services Manager. Kate has been active in historic preservation and has served as the President of The Greater Hartford Association of Historic Houses and Museums, as well as a Board Member of the Farmington Avenue Alliance. Kate is the daughter of Leslie Rounds of Arundel, Maine, the Executive Director at the Saco Museum and Dyer Library Association. Kate is passionate about antique textiles, the fine and decorative arts, and local history.
Gigi Liverant
Gigi was introduced to the antiques business over thirty years ago when she met Arthur Liverant. She currently serves as a consultant and creative director for Nathan Liverant and Son, striving to visually communicate the unique assets of the ninety year old business to the public through print ads and calendars.
When not brainstorming a creative idea for the antiques shop, she works as a fine artist in her studio. Gigi has been painting and exhibiting her artwork for more than thirty years. To see examples of her work visit www.gigiliverant.com
Debbie Day
With an enthusiastic interest in history and antiques, Debbie joined Nathan Liverant and Son and eagerly adopted responsibilities at the shop. While covering the morning shift, she tracks and records current antiques sales data, answers the phone, assists customers and serves as our Editor in Chief. Her passion for antiques and her experience as a teacher in East Hampton for 27 years enables Debbie to assist with sales and to skillfully edit most of our documents.
Originally from Wakefied, Massachusetts, Debbie and her husband Larry have lived in East Hampton, Connecticut for 35 years. Debbie and Larry, have two grown sons, Kevin and Jeff, two grandchildren, and a cat named Winston.
Helen Boule
Helen Boule has been accurately managing the balance sheets of Nathan Liverant and Son for over twenty-five years. She is a meticulous and reliable professional who always brings her dry humor and quick wit to her task. Helen’s accuracy and objectivity is a great asset to the third generation business.
Helen and her husband David enjoy the company of their two grown children, a son in law and two granddaughters. She also makes the best cheesecake you’ve ever tasted!
Hannah Liverant Close
Hannah Liverant Close grew up immersed in a world of art and antiques. She spent her youth helping to packing up at the conclusion of antiques shows or exploring a myriad of art projects in her mother’s art studio. She blended those two experiences into a successful career as an art teacher for high school students in Massachusetts, (view details). In addition to her teaching career, she is a fiber artist as well as a skilled graphic designer. Hannah partners with the members of Nathan Liverant and Son in the planning and design of our annual calendar and our web site.