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South Jordan Journal

Antiques Roadshow star appraises residents’ treasures

Oct 01, 2018 03:39PM ● By Jana Klopsch

Appraiser Gary Piattoni came to Sagewood at Daybreak to inspect residents’ personal keepsakes. (Sarah Payne/City Journals)

By Sarah Payne | [email protected]

On Sept. 12, residents at Sagewood at Daybreak, a Kisco Senior Living Community located at 11289 Oakmond Road, had the opportunity for their family treasures and keepsakes to be appraised in a unique event hosted by well-known and accredited appraiser Gary Piattoni. 

Piattoni, a native of Illinois, began his interest in antiques from an early age due to his mother’s affinity for them. He always liked antiques and art, and has a master’s degree in fine arts. He has a certificate in Appraisal Studies from New York University, and after graduation worked as an appraiser and as senior vice president for Christie’s in New York. 

He is a nationally-recognized expert appraiser and well-known for his appearances on Antiques Roadshow. His areas of expertise include fine and decorative art, furniture, antiques, and militaria. In February 2002, Piattoni founded Gary Piattoni, Inc., where he continues to be its president. 

The unusual and fun event at Sagewood at Daybreak showcased Piattoni’s expertise as well as the pleasant atmosphere of the living community itself.
“The Sagewood event is about introducing folks to this community,” Piattoni said. 

Residents, including prospective residents, employees of the senior living community, and guests were invited to bring their treasures, family heirlooms, art pieces, etc. to be inspected by Piattoni, who after a short meet and greet, began to appraise the items one by one. 

Among the items displayed were two ornate vases from different eras of history, a woven Navajo basket, an antique shoe hook, an old hair-cutting tool, an ornate old cuckoo clock from Germany, a piece of Chinese art known as a hardstone inlaid plaque, and a stack of various comic books. 

Piattoni put a lot of emphasis during both his remarks before and the appraisal itself on the monetary versus sentimental value of each item brought before him. Quoting Oscar Wilde, Piattoni said, “A cynic is a person who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing.” He expressed, both in word and deed, a desire to be sensitive to the value each object had to the person to whom it belonged.

Aside from promoting the senior living community, the event also served the purpose of providing enjoyment to the residents. “Just to have fun,” said Casey Sheide, a member of the community’s Wellness Team. “It’s an excuse to bring out some cool stuff that’s been in the family for a long time or just been lying around the house, just to kind of bring the community together. We invited a lot of people out here to come and bring one item or whatever they want to kind of see the history and value behind it.”