In the market for a pair of giltwood chairs, made around 1720 for the richest man in Britain? How about the Cartier diamond brooch that Princess Margaret wore to the coronation of her sister, Queen Elizabeth II? Perhaps a pair of George II silver sauceboats, or a George II punch bowl?

These items, as well as many other pieces of European (and some American) furniture, jewelry, paintings, armor, ceramics, and sculpture will be for sale at the International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show at the Seventh Regiment Armory, which kicks off Thursday night with a gala preview party to benefit the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Along with the Winter Antiques Show in January, the International Show is one of the top American decorative art fairs. Unlike the Winter Show, which features primarily American decorative arts, the International Show includes many dealers from London and Paris, and features mostly European, particularly Continental, work. With its greater quantities of gilt and silver –– as well as a flashier crowd than the New England collectors of Americana who frequent the Winter Show –– the International Show is arguably the more glamorous.

Brian and Anna Haughton, ceramics dealers in London, started the fair 18 years ago so that European dealers would have a highend show in America.”America is the largest buying country for collectors,” a dealer who has participated in the show since the beginning, Ariane Dandois, said. “Even in Paris, I do 85% to 90% of my business with Americans.”

The International Show was also the first show in America to be vetted, meaning that a committee of experts examines all the objects in the show before it opens and makes sure that the dealers descriptions are correct. (The Winter Show adopted vetting in 1993.) The International Show has 98 people on its vetting committee, divided into sub-committees based on specialty. Its members are anonymous, to prevent conflicts of interest.

Coming in October, after New York socialites have returned from their summer homes and before they leave for their winter ones, the International Show catches collectors at a moment of high energy. “It really is the kick-off for the season,” Liz Feld, of the American painting and furniture dealer Hirschl & Adler, said.

“You have under one roof the greatest antique dealers in the world, and you also have all your friends you haven’t seen,” an honorary chair of the gala, Jamee Gregory, said. “It’s sort of a struggle for people to decide whether they’d rather chit-chat with friends or do some serious shopping.”

Many exhibitors set up dazzlingly elaborate mock interiors in their booths. “European dealers show up with woodwork to install,” Ms. Feld said. “It is just awe-inspiring.”

Ms. Dandois said that she tries to bring refined but simple pieces because some things that are popular in Europe –– like gilt bronze –– are “a bit over the top” for American taste.

The clientele at the show is mostly North American, but also includes South Americans and Europeans. The gala Thursday night is expected to draw a who’s-who of New York decorators (Mario Buatta, Jamie Drake, Charlotte Moss) and social figures (Evelyn and Leonard Lauder, Muffie Potter Aston, Tory Burch).

“The Haughtons are master producers,” a Chicago dealer in non-Western art, Douglas Dawson, said. “They have access to the best mailing lists in the United States.”

And, of course, for spending power, New York can hardly be matched.”New York for me is the premiere location,” arms and armor dealer Peter Finer said. “I’d rather have one day in New York than a week anywhere else.”

If you’re interested in those giltwood chairs, made for the chapel of the Duke of Chandos, in which the Duke and Duchess sat to listen to music that Handel composed especially for them, visit the booth of the English dealer Mallet. A director of the firm, Giles Hutchinson Smith, explained that he brings his best pieces to the International Show, because the overall quality of the dealers and the clientele is so high.

“You walk around this fair, you will see –– whether its Chinese porcelain, philosopher stones, English 18th century furniture, or French 19th century Art Deco ––you will see the very finest collection in Manhattan,” Mr. Hutchinson said.” That’s why it’s important for us to show the best and most important pieces here.”