Victorian Valentines under glass: Bell jars of love
The Victorians liked to put miniature worlds under glass. Known as the bell jar, parlor jar or parlor shade, they intrigued the viewer and brought wonder into the home. Although for many occasions and whimsy, there is a particular style of jar that was strictly given...
Daguerreotype photography
When you look at a photograph or take one yourself, you probably don’t stop to think about the history and processes that occurred to make those images possible. The daguerreotype was the first widely available way to process a photo, and had very technical,...
Antique restoration, repair
Our valued treasures are sometimes damaged from wear and tear, age, moving and accidents. There is also sunlight, wind, rain and dampness that can change or unsettle a piece. Dust, mites and insects, storage and improper care are all factors to consider when an...
The haunted Hesse Tiara
The Haunted Hesse Tiara was designed by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband and consort. It was to be a joyous wedding present for his daughter on her sacred wedding day, but the tale of the glimmering nightmare reached far beyond the day of vows and into the...
History of Flow Blue China
Flow Blue is a particular style of porcelain and white earthenware that originated, some say, by accident, in the 1820s in England.The blurred qualities of the blue glaze as a stark contrast to the earthenware bright white background excite antique collectors of this...
Toile de Jouy French linen fabric
When shopping for fabric, you might run across a certain type of antique French linen fabric called Toile de Jouy. Known for single colored prints on a cream or white background, toile features scenes of pastoral settings, the French countryside, flowers and European...
Fourth of July collectibles
The Fourth of July brings up memories of cookouts, fireworks, red, white and blue clothing and summer gatherings. In the antiques market, many items were made to accompany not only personal events, but milestones and celebrations in our nation’s history. Our national...
the History of the Wedding Dress
June is the traditional month for weddings, and the ultimate symbol and one of the primary focuses for the big day is the wedding dress. Wedding dresses have a long history that includes representing family honor, color choices and symbolism, fashion and style periods...
Flower Frogs
You might have seen a strange glass object in an antique store or florist shop that you can’t identify. It was glass, round, and had a bunch of holes in it, much like a honeycomb. This is called a flower frog, and is a device utilized to help arrange flowers quickly...
The wonder of Faberge eggs
A Faberge egg was named after Russian jewelry designer and manufacturer Peter Carl Faberge. Around 70 intricate, jewel-encrusted, mechanical and often detailed works were famously created for Tsar Alexander III and Nicholas II of Russia for their children, wives and...
