An Etui (pronounced a-twee) is a pocket-sized ornamental case dating from the 18th to 19th century. These cases were made of different materials, such as silver, gold, enamel, gilt metal and tortoiseshell.
Fine and Decorative Arts - Interesting Facts
Monday, March 19, 2012
ETUI
An Etui (pronounced a-twee) is a pocket-sized ornamental case dating from the 18th to 19th century. These cases were made of different materials, such as silver, gold, enamel, gilt metal and tortoiseshell.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
THE TEA CADDY
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Tunbridge Ware
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Santa Candy Containers
Christmas trees in the early 19th century were adorned with, for example, cookies, fruits, nuts, and cones. Born in Germany, Santa candy containers were given as gifts but were often used as tree or table decorations after the candy was gone (source: Kovel's On Antiques And Collectibles).
Image 1 shows an 1890 German Belsnickel candy container with rabbit fur beard. He carries a brown basket on his back. Image courtesy of Grossmutters Christmas Past (http://www.christmas.li/)
Saturday, November 19, 2011
SOTHEBY'S CEO DISCUSSES GLOBALIZATION OF THE ART MARKET
- In the last decade there has been major changes in the auction world, with China in the foreground. Given China's massive wealth generation, there "has been a total shift of where the demand and supply are".
- The United States and Europe have now become net sellers of art, while China - whose market has exploded - has become the largest art market in the world.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Rococo Revival Furniture
Rococo (pronouned roh-cocoa) Revival was an effort during the early to mid-Victorian period (around 1845-1870) to revive the Rococo Louis XV style that had originated in France in the early 18th century; however, the 19th century Revival has much more exaggerated curves and intricate and realistic carved ornamentation.
One of the most famous makers of Rococo Revival for the luxury market was German-born John Henry Belter of New York City. Belter (1804-1863) created elaborate lacy pieces from laminated rosewood panels using a technique that he patented. Several layers of wood were glued together in alternating directions to give it strength, and the panels were then steamed under pressure in molds to produce curves. After that, the furniture components were carved in intricate patterns of scrolls, fruit, and flowers (source: Kovel’s On Antiques and Collecting). Belter was famous for his large and exuberant parlor room sofas, which are embellished with bouquets of naturalistic blooms.
Image 1 below, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a superb example of Belter's high-end sofas.
Image 1
Another company, J. and J.W. Meeks, also of New York, made similarly ornate pieces. See image 2 of a pair of walnut chairs by Meeks, circa 1850 (image courtesy of Timeless Antiques, Laguna Beach, CA).
Image 2
Other notable markers of this style were Alexander Roux, Charles Baudouine, Leon Marcotte, and Ignatiius Lutz.
DID YOU KNOW that most of the Rococo Revival furniture were pieces designed for the parlor (rather than, say, for the dining area or library)? The curved, often pierced carved wood pieces appeared more "feminine" and therefore were more conducive to the parlor - the "domain" of the lady of the house.
Monday, September 19, 2011
American Coin Silver
Most silver articles made in the United States before around 1860, when the sterling silver standard was accepted, are referred to as "coin."
Coin silver has a slightly higher silver content than sterling silver. Pure silver is too soft for normal use and has to be alloyed, usually with copper and other trace elements. Sterling is 925 parts silver per 1000 parts, and American coin silver has a lower percentage: from 1792 to 1837, it was .892; thereafter, .900. Other countries may use the words “coin silver” to mean the purity used in their silver coins, which may be different from US coins.
In America’s colonial days, coin silver was literally made from melted-down coins. Between about 1830 and 1860 silver was often marked “Coin,” “Pure Coin” or “Dollar” to show that the piece was the same quality as coins. (Source: Kovels On Antiques and Collectibles).