Episode 43 | Liberty Antiques Recap: Pottery, Paintings, and a Benny Carter Birdhouse
Matt and Kyle sit down after two full days of picking at the Liberty Antiques Festival in Liberty, North Carolina. Surrounded by their finds, they go through the haul piece by piece, from rare signed North Carolina pottery and 19th-century paintings to a pristine Benny Carter saw.
The conversation dives into the stories behind the buys, the lessons learned from years on the road, and the excitement that comes with finding something special in a sea of booths. From showcase surprises to pottery discoveries, this episode captures the rhythm and reward of a good show weekend.
CHAPTERS
00:00 | Let’s get ready to go through the Liberty haul
04:54 | Matt reflects on first trips to Liberty and twenty years of picking
07:17 | The showcase buy and how to think through bulk deals
09:10 | Pottery finds at Liberty
14:41 | The mini painted basket
16:37 | 19th-century gilt frame paintings
19:37 | The $90 oval portrait
29:48 | Benny Carter painted saw and birdhouse
34:35 | Back to the showcase treasures and collecting small finds
48:28 | Reflections on Liberty and looking ahead
50:47 | Send in your folky stories
As the conversation wraps, Matt and Kyle look ahead to the next round of shows and auctions, reflecting on what makes Liberty so unique. From pottery and paintings to showcase treasures, the episode reminds us that every object has a story and every picker has a tale worth telling.
Watch the Dealer Setup Day vlog titled “Day 1 at Liberty Antique Festival | Quilts, Baskets, and a Ghost Table” now on the House of Folk Art channel.
The second Liberty vlog will be released next Monday and will feature many of the items discussed in this episode.
Do you know a folk artist? Send in your folky stories:
📞 (919) 410-8002
Leave your name and where you’re from, and you might get a shoutout on the next podcast.
Follow @houseoffolkart for more behind-the-scenes stories and upcoming auction dates at LedbetterAuctions.com.