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.