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But an innovative English potter came up with a solution: mustache cups—specially designed teacups that are equal parts functional and fanciful. These whimsical cups are collected today by those who love Victorian curiosities or specialize in tableware. Mustaches not required. Coffee and tea also often stained facial hair.
Pie crimpers are valued today as decorative kitchen implements and pieces of folk art by collectors who are willing to pay thousands of dollars for the best examples. Leftover parts of whales, like jawbones and teeth, and sometimes even walrus tusks, were used to carve a variety of decorative and utilitarian objects.
Our field requires years of training, and it can be very challenging for someone outside of the appraisal, art, and antique industries to even know where to begin when confronted with the task of taking pictures to send to us. FINE ART: A. GLASS DECORATIVE ITEMS AND TABLEWARE/BARWARE: A.
Are you interested in finding the best antiques, collectibles, and souvenirs while traveling abroad? But did you know France is also among the best European countries to hunt down antiques and collectibles? From Quimper to Sèvres Which vintage and antique ceramic collectibles should you seek out in France?
My latest article for Worthwhile Magazine™ shares my personal thoughts in support of mixing antiques in modern interiors. From my professional perspective as an art and antique appraiser, I can also see how this societal practice has contributed to the softening of the art and antique market, particularly in the category of antique furniture.
From the intricate designs and beautiful functionality of ancient astrolabes to the ornate craftsmanship of Renaissance telescopes, and the sleek modernism of personal cameras, the evolution of scientific instruments has provided a fascinating meeting point between aesthetic and functional precision through the ages.
Crafted with precision and attention to detail, each piece in their collection exudes sophistication and luxury. Not only is Reed and Barton silverware visually stunning, but it is also highly functional. Whether you’re looking for a formal dinner set or a casual everyday collection, the company has something to suit your needs.
A Tricky Antique This four-panel Chinese screen sold for $263.80 Asian room dividersor folding screensare undeniably beautiful, often showcasing intricate craftsmanship and delicate motifs, but theyve become one of the trickier antiques to sell unless theyre genuinely old or museum-worthy. at Appletree. at Dawson’s.
March I traveled to New York City in order to participate in the ISA Chinese Connoisseurship Short Course during Asia Art Week. Being a sporting and art enthusiast, I was in my element! So much fun seeing Diana and Mark Jacoby at their Phillip Colleck LTD townhouse filled with antiques and decorations! 64 3/16” x W.
One of the hottest summer trends will be Bridgerton -inspired tea parties, so expect Regency antiques and vintage tea-related pieces to be popular, especially those with a floral motif. Bridgerton has brought attention to its rich cultural scene, marked by advancements in fashion, fine arts, literature, and music.
Sterling silver dinnerware has a rich and illustrious history, and sterling silver flatware is essential to any antique sterling silver set. In addition to their functional use at the dinner table, sterling silver flatware pieces are highly prized collectibles that can hold significant value. We buy antiques of all varieties.
On May 7, Freeman’s | Hindman is presenting The Private Collection of Secretary Madeleine K. This includes lot 9540 , a Chinese famille rose bottle from the 19th century, featuring Peking enamel, a decoration of figures in a landscape, and a gold metal stopper. Vogt Auction Galleries , estimate: $3,000–$5,000.
Her collection of jewelry, especially the eye-catching bracelets she wore frequently, was massive. Seeing those sparkly bangles got me thinking about collecting and dealing in celluloid jewelry and the highs and lows the stewards of those items encounter. A desirable celluloid bangle bracelet decorated with rainbow rhinestones.
Some of the most collectible hidden flasks are the pieces commissioned by Foust Distillery in the 19th century and made in realistic food forms like this banana. Foust’s flasks are highly collectible today. The fanciful art of disguising flasks expanded into a broad science. Collectors value these nippers today.
Designing a place to store the parts of your collection that you do not currently have on display is not as difficult as it may sound. Rather than provide a “do this for this situation” scenario, I thought it better to show the solutions we devised to store art in our home and gallery. This particular area handles medium sized artwork.
Some of these items are also found in many American homes, whether because they continue to fulfill a function or because they have become a part of the family history, some of them are historical objects acquired with antique dealers, auction houses and even galleries, and some of them are by living contemporary designers.
My wife says that you know you’re getting old when you visit an antique store and recognize something from your past. “Oh, Selling antiques is a tricky and ever-changing affair, as can be seen in The Winter Show, formerly The Winter Antiques Show, now being held at the Seventh Regiment Armory on Park Avenue in New York.
Of the many fine art and antique appraisals we do, most clients would like to realize a profit on their fine art and historic furniture. Placing an oil painting or antiques with the right buyer – whether with a private collector or an auction house – takes leg work. That’s a function of style and the times.
Although it was originally envisioned for rural abodes, it’s a style of decoration that can work seamlessly when paired with contemporary, urban interiors, with a number of versatile and timeless styles. Although there is a distinctive look to Farmhouse Chic pieces, there is also a joy to be found in their unique decorative elements.
If your insurance provider has asked you to get your artwork professionally appraised, or you need it evaluated for some other reason, How Do I Get My Art Appraised will help you find a qualified appraiser, fully understand all aspects of the appraisal process, and prepare you for what a professional fine art appraisal is likely to cost.
To hold their kimonos in place and be able to tote essential items, men hung decorative inro (small cases) that were suspended from their kimonos’ waist sashes. The two-gallon crock is decorated with a horse in cobalt blue and is salt-glazed, one of the hallmarks of antique stoneware. 7,300-$10,000 USD).
The vast American folk art tradition offers authentic, innovative, and captivating creations whose reach spans generations and modes of creative expression. Despite this diversity, American folk art does share some core characteristics: Hand-Craftsmanship American folk art typically incorporates materials that can be wrought by hand.
The vast American folk art tradition offers authentic, innovative, and captivating creations whose reach spans generations and modes of creative expression. Despite this diversity, American folk art does share some core characteristics: Hand-Craftsmanship American folk art typically incorporates materials that can be wrought by hand.
Taxidermy is an art absolutely essential to be known to every naturalist since, without it, he cannot pursue his studies or preserve his own materials” British zoologist William Swainson in his 1840 Treatise on Taxidermy Walter Potter – Kittens’ Tea & Croquet Party. And so the art of taxidermy was born… and then embalmed.
Jessie has over 30 years of experience identifying and valuing vintage and antique jewelry. I am a credentialed senior gemologist, jewelry appraiser, jewelry historian, and the curator of Lang’s collection. I am proud to be the founder of our Antique Jewelry University as well as Graduate Gemologist from the GIA.
This gold pill box features a colorful floral decoration in blue, red, green, and gold enamel, and it is embellished with diamonds. Though their purpose was to carry medications and not to serve as typical decorative objects, Victorians did pill boxes up big. Antique snuff boxes tend to be a bit bigger and are more expensive.
Decorating with antiques is more than just a design choice; it’s a way to bring history, charm, and character into your home. Whether you’re an experienced collector or just starting your journey into antique home decor, the process can transform your living space into a timeless work of art.
Smoking may be largely out of fashion today, but the demand for antique and vintage ashtrays, cigarette cases, pipes, and other related collectibles remains red hot. Too big and beautiful to be tucked inside a pocket, these are meant to sit on a shelf or table as decorative pieces when not in use.
These asparagus-specific serving pieces are highly collectible today, and some, particularly silver examples, can sell for thousands of dollars. SILVER SERVERS Designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, asparagus servers symbolized class and manners. This cradle sold at auction in May 2025 for $272.50.
Some of the most popular collectibles are the items made by artistic 19th-century sailors during their downtime on seafaring duties, including the baskets weaved on Nantucket lightships. IDLE HANDS CREATE A LASTING LEGACY Nantucket baskets are not only beautiful and functional pieces, but they also weave a story of culture and history.
My ideal tool collection consists of a carefully curated set of hand tools and accessories, with just a few power tools (maybe a drill and a jigsaw). On the flip side, those small hand tools like needle-nose pliers often come in handy around the house and in my work as an antique dealer. Surplus Old Stuff ) : Tools.
With their ornate bodies and fancy stylized arms that tentacle out like some sort of beautiful sea creature, epergnes are functional objets dart that demand the spotlight. Born from 18th-century extravagance, epergnes were made to be the dramatic focal point on a perfectly set table when dining was an elegant art form.
And as society embraced industrial mechanisation, a collection of Victorians spearheaded the belief that the middle-ages were a time of romantic honor and ideals. This infusion of medievalism in the decorativearts was originally an architectural style from around the 1740s, before finding widespread popularity in the 19th century.
Designed by Charles and Ray Eames , the increasingly collectible Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is available in a variety of color ways, but the vintage rosewood has proven popular among enthusiasts like Frasier, who also admired the chair for its superior engineering. American Art Glass Vase by Dale Patrick Chihuly.
It served not only as a means to preserve specimens for scientific study but also as a decorativeart form; mounts became popular additions to homes, reflecting a growing passion for nature. In addition to their functionality, powder horns were also a way for people to show off artistic talent. Newcomb Regt.
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