The Springfield Symphony Orchestra's "Wine, Dine and Antiques" returned to the Springfield Art Museum on January 26. The event combined the symphony's traditional wine-tasting with antique appraisals and a live antique auction.

Wine Works provided dozens of different wines for tasting and Seasons Bistro and Grille provided plenty of fine food for the event.

Verbal Antique Appraisals were made by Jacob & Salke Berner ( of Berner's Auction), Bruce and Vivalyn Knight (of Heart of Ohio Antique Center), local antique dealers Keith Bates and Harter Jackson and jeweler David E. Garrett.

The most interesting antique brought in for appraisal was a 17th Century Japanese sword, which was valued at "at least $1,000, possibly as much as $50,000" (pictured left). Jacob Berner commented on the sword's light weight, making it easier for a warrior to use in battle. Berner stated that the sword could be worth even more if it still had its original handle, which probably would have been made of shark skin.

Symphony officials expected a crowd of between 150 and 200. They believed that the actual crowd was in that range.

This was the second year that antique appraisals were added to the Symphony's annual wine tasting event, but this was the first year for an antique auction. All antiques were donated and all proceeds from the event benefitted the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

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Plenty of fine cheeses were available for the wine tasting	The food was excellent — and went quite fast
The event drew a crowd of nearly 200 - and seating was sometimes limited.	Clarissa Bennett made do with what was available.
Bruce and Vivalyn Knight appraising an antique	This 1920's-1930's vintage Gibson mandolin was appraised at $2000 to $3000
David E. Garrett appraises a piece of antique jewelry while Silka Berner and David Garrett, Jr. look on	Jacob Berner (right) auctions off a vintage rocker, with help from Ernie Jarrell, manager of Heart of Ohio Antique Center

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