Collectible Antiques Extra

The Image of Santa Claus: A Meeting of Minds and Myth

2006-12-21T09:51:00.000-05:00

By Silas Finch

The evolution of the image of Santa Claus may be a somewhat off topic for an antiquing web-zine dedicated to antiques but collectors of antique images, books, and prints will hopefully find the information illuminating and of substantial value in enjoying their hobby. However, the real reason for writing this article is that I simply love Christmas and get a special kick out of Santa.

There is much debate about the evolution of Santa and for the purpose of this article I going to focus not on the development of Santa himself from St. Nicholas but instead on the development of his image and iconic behaviors.

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Patent Medicine and Antique Bottles

2006-11-30T09:42:00.000-05:00

By Silas Finch

During the 1800s the sell of so-called patent medicines reached its hey day. They had existed for centuries, for example "Anderson's Pills" were first made in England in the 1630s; the recipe was allegedly learned in Venice by a Scot who claimed to be physician to King Charles I. However, due to a number of factors related to the Industrial Revolution including improved methods of mass production, crushing urban poverty, and vile sanitation cheap wonder cures captured the imagination and hard earned dollars of the Victorian.

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A Brief History of Spode China

2006-11-06T09:29:00.000-05:00

By Silas Finch

The world of 18th century English porcelain was a small one. Due to the necessity of soil with just the right mixture of elements in the making of porcelain factories have always been closely bound by geography. The strident apprenticeship system that dominated all trades in England at the time combined with physical proximity to ensure that everyone in the porcelain trade knew everyone else.

Thomas Whieldon, a famous china maker in his own right, was both a one-time partner of the great Josiah Wedgwood and oversaw the apprenticeship of Josiah Spode, founder of Spode-Copeland China. (Incidentally, it seems that more than geography and apprenticeship bound 18th century potters together, every other one is named Josiah.)

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Examining the Carcass: Cabinet Frames and Runners

2006-10-16T09:24:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

When considering purchasing a heavily worn chest of drawers, cabinet, or cupboard, or when contemplating the ramifications of having given in to the impulse of buying a piece that might be beyond your skills to repair there are a number of factors to take into consideration. Some damage may look appalling but be simple to repair while other nearly invisible flaws may prove a catastrophe.

The first thing to do with any box-based furniture is to remove all the drawers and check the piece for stability. While a dealer may not be crazy about you stacking all the drawers from a bureau on the floor of their shop if the choice is between that and a no-sale they will most likely acquiesce. In many cases taking the drawers out of a chest of drawers will reveal the main structure, called the carcass, of the piece is unstable and in need of repair.

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Antique Weather Vanes

2006-09-20T17:17:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

Weather vanes have become something of a darling among antique and folk-art collectors in recent years. It is easy to see why. They are beautiful pieces of Americana. The intricacy and workmanship applied to an object no one will ever see up close is art for its own sake. They surprise us when we see them near by. They are bigger than they seem when seen from afar. Weather vanes have the romance of rural life and a practicality that make utensils so attractive to many collectors.

Athens, the birthplace of much of western culture, was also the probable home of the weather vane. The earliest recorded weather vane exists in a description written at the time, which said it was constructed of bronze and depicted a merman-like deity, the god Triton. It was huge by weather vane standards at approximately 6 feet in length. During the Roman era weather vanes topped most expensive homes and were usually religious in theme.

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Antique Milliner's Dolls

2006-09-09T07:47:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

Before there were fashion magazines there were milliner’s model dolls. From about 1820 to almost 1870 it was common practice for dress designers to make dolls that wore the latest fashions that were then displayed by dressmakers.

Very little manufacturer information exists regarding the making of these dolls. It is unclear who made them or where. In fact anything approaching exact dating of the time of manufacture is based on the hairstyles of the models. However given the number of them that still survive there must have been plenty of them constructed.

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Depression Glass

2006-08-23T08:27:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

A corner of the American Collecting Mania Hall of Fame must be preserved for Depression Era glassware. Few trends in collecting have enjoyed the massive of popularity of the glassware made for the American market from the beginning of the Great Depression and the start of World War II. At a time of much uncertainty, Depression Glass made a symbol of domestic security remain within the shortening economic grip of American homemakers.

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Prurient Porcelain: Nudes and Ribaldry

2006-08-14T08:59:00.000-04:00

By Loretta Crawford

Every visual art medium from wood carving to painting, from textiles to mosaics, will sooner or later be used to glorify the human, usually female, form. Ceramics and porcelain are certainly no exception. Despite an inaccurate modern association of china with grandmotherly tea rooms and the height of propriety there have always been porcelain statuettes of nudes and suggestive scenes.

In fact, the nude form was portrayed in ceramic long before nearly anything else. Everyone has heard of the stone-age Venus figurines that are among the earliest ceramics ever made. The most widely known of the many stone-age figures of women with rotund figures and multiple breasts is the Venus of Willendorf discovered by archaeologist Josef Szombathy in 1908.

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The Importance of Cataloging

2006-07-31T16:10:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

Any antique collector, no matter how small or inexpensive the collection, should keep a complete catalog of their pieces. At the same time that a new collector makes their first purchase they should also stop at the stationary store and buy a logbook or note card file.

Keeping this information on your home computer is important but, in my opinion, nothing beats hard copies. If you do keep records on a computer make sure you keep back-ups of the data somewhere safe. Hard disc crashes, fires, and theft of your computer can quickly destroy all of your hard work.

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The China Shop is Open!

2006-07-25T17:20:00.000-04:00

We are very proud to announce that Collectible Antiques Etc has opened an online china shop. After many days and nights of fretful deliberation we decided to try and turn our compulsion for acquiring porcelain into a few bucks. So, like millions of Internet users around the world, we added a shopping section to our site and now await the arrival of the procelain loving public.

So if you share our obsession with miss matched china or have smashed Aunt June's precious blue-flow creamer stop by. We might just have the piece you are missing. We promise our prices will be lower than any non-auction china site on the web.

Needless to say, since we are selling china we will also buy it. So if you've got a box of inherited china, no matter how ragtag it might seem, contact us and we might just take it off your hands.

Collectible Antiques Etc China Shop

The Rules of Antique Book Scarcity

2006-07-16T14:37:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

There are many factors that contribute to the value of an antique book, manuscript, or map. Amongst them are age, of course, condition, scarcity, and trends in interests. A book that possesses some of these qualities but not others might still be valuable but it is likely compromised in the eyes of the serious collector. A very old book by an obscure author enjoying current notoriety that is missing some pages will still attract attention and a good price, but a book lacking in more than or perhaps two qualities is probably not worth a collector’s time.

All of these aspects, and others as well, affect a book's price and should be understood by any collector. Most of these traits are self-explanatory; age is quite obvious and assessing condition, while filled with jargonistic phrases, has a clear meaning.

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Independence Day in the Churchyard

2006-07-11T08:36:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

South Salem, NY is a lovely little town right across the Connecticut state line from Ridgefield. It's charming place dripping with colonial history, a restaurant in Ridgefield has a cannon ball from the American Revolution lodged in a wall, and the area is a center of antique collecting. In short the perfect place to spend July 4th.

South Salem has been the home of the Antiques in the Church Yard event for fourteen years. Set on the lawn of the Stevens Memorial Methodist Church in an environment of remarkable beauty the event is one of the most talked about of New England's many antique shows.

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Further Down the Road

2006-07-03T12:44:00.000-04:00

by Silas Finch

The next stop on our journey along the highways of New England is the 14th Annual "Antiques In The Church Yard" on July 4th. It is taking place in Vista, New York and yes, we realize that New York isn't Connecticut but Vista is very near Ridgefield, Ct. and will have to do.

While the Antiques in the Church Yard isn't supposed to attract the number of dealers that the Farmington event does, we have it on excellent authority that the event is one of the hidden treasures of New England antique events. Our sources claim that the Church Yard event is unusual because of its combination of everything you would expect from a big antique show, lots of merchandise and dealers, expert knowledge, and good organization and all the charm and friendliness of a small town church fundraiser.

We will be there looking for interesting finds, new trends in collecting, and to talk with the many dealers and collectors attending. We want to know what the antiquing community thinks on all the issues affecting the antique community and how we can improve our directory, so if you see us don't be shy.
Personally, I am looking forward to the all you can eat country breakfast served inside the church. The antiques will have to wait until the eggs and pancakes have settled. Admission is $7 and the breakfast is $5.

To see a list of upcoming Connecticut antique events click here.

Antique Glossary: Pests and Rot

2006-06-30T09:32:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

It is an unhappy fact that to be an informed antique furniture collector you have to be well informed about a number of unpleasant things. Various form of rot, stains, and insects all compete to be the first to destroy a beautiful antique chair or table.

It’s a pleasant and enlightening experience to explore the corners of fine china and those charming antique toys but owning collectible is a responsibility. The owner of a 200-year old armoire has an obligation to care for and protect a valuable cultural relic. If you are going to protect it you must know a little about the dangers threatening it.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Josiah Wedgwood Part II: Queen Charlotte's Potter

2006-06-24T07:47:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

Once Josiah Wedgwood ended his partnership with Thomas Whieldon and struck out on his own his career began to truly hit its stride. The shop he rented from his uncles, the Ivy Works, was soon too small to hold his expanding business.

Wedgwood turned out innovation after innovation. The plates, pots, and bowls the Ivy Works produced using Wedgwood’s unique methods for making green and tortoiseshell earthenware caught the fancy of a growing middle class. For what was really the first time, it was possible to buy everyday pottery that was as beautiful as it was useful. The unusual fruit and vegetable shaped wares of this period of Wedgwood is still a favorite among china collectors.

To read the rest of this article click here.

China and Ceramics: Assessing the Damage

2006-06-16T13:34:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

It is a simple fact of antique collecting that if you want an item in perfect shape you’re going to pay top dollar for it. Many people just beginning to collect are driven to distraction and sometimes to abandoning their desire to acquire antiques of any kind and ceramics in particular because the only pieces they can afford are chipped, stained or otherwise damaged.

But passing on that beautiful set of plates just because some show a little damage might be a mistake. With a little patience and a little hard work a bargain priced and slightly damaged china can be repaired and its value increased.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Josiah Wedgwood: First name in Porcelain

2006-06-11T07:45:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

Wedgwood was a family name long before it came as close as any surname can to being synonymous with a craft. Josiah Wedgwood was not even the first potter to bare the name. His great-great-grandfather, Gilbert is described in a surviving document as a master potter.

The man that would eventually be credited with bringing the industrial revolution to pottery was born in 1730. He was the youngest of the thirteen children of Thomas Wedgwood IV and his wife Mary nee Stringer. Josiah’s father owned a pottery firm called the Churchyard Works and was assisted by an older son also called Thomas.

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Antique Swords: The Katana

2006-06-06T15:21:00.000-04:00

By Loretta Crawford
Before the 8th century Japanese swords were indistinguishable from those made in China. The earliest swords recorded in Japanese history were a pair created in china and given as a gift to the queen of Japan, Himeko. The gift was presented to her in about 240 AD and the greater gift on the knowledge of iron working soon followed....

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How They Used to Clean Pewter.

2006-06-04T09:05:00.000-04:00

By Loretta Crawford

Cleaning pewter is a relatively simple matter using modern cleaners and tarnish removers, however it wasn’t always this way. Even just a few decades ago cleaning antique was chore requiring patience and as we will soon see a fair amount of creativity.

Modern cleaners are inexpensive and easy to use but some collectors worry about exposure to dangerous chemicals. I have spoken to environmentally sensitive antique collectors who refuse to use modern chemical cleaners and have compiled lists of old fashion methods that use safer substances.

To read the rest of this article click here.

First Stop: Farmington Antiques Weekend

2006-05-31T07:59:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

Collectible Antiques Etc. and its sister site Antique Connecticut will be visiting antique fairs, auctions, and seminars all over Connecticut and nearby states this summer and producing a series of articles about the events. Their writers will be combing the highways and byways of New England searching for more than just additions to their personal, idiosyncratic collections.

Connecticut is home to countless antique collecting events, every tiny town, not matter how out of the way, dresses itself up and invites the neighbors over for an antique extravaganza. Local dealers and collectors gather in droves to compare pieces, swap tips, and tell fish stories about the antique that got away. Besides the antiques, these events feature wonderful foods and often, historical reenactments.

Collectible Antiques Etc. will be there to record them and present an entertaining and informative look at the unique New England antiques community. The articles should begin to appear on Collectible Antiques Etc and Antique Connecticut about the middle of June 2006.

Our first stop will be at the Farmington Antique Weekend on June 10th. The Farmington event is huge, one of the premier antique events in the country. Literally thousands of dealers, collectors, and the merely curious will gather in the small city of Farmington, Ct to explore, share, and spend, spend, spend. We will be busy; besides checking out the merchandise, we will be conducting interviews, promoting our sites, and looking for the concession stand with the best food.

A Brief History of Sevres China

2006-05-28T16:48:00.000-04:00

By Denise Calaway

European porcelain came into true existence when Augustus II the Strong, elector of Saxony and King of Poland decided that his empire was spending too much on Chinese porcelain. He already had imprisoned the alchemist Johann Friedrich Bottger for failing to find the secret of turning base metals into gold. In 1706, a Saxon nobleman, Count von Tschirnhaus, received permission from Augustus II to use Bottger to find a use for the hard red clay, kaolin, found in their region. Thus the first hard porcelain clay was born. The secret was kept in the hands of the Saxons, until 1718 when a worker ran off from the factory .... and thus European factories began to spring into existence.

The history of Sevres Porcelains begins in the place where the Kings of France resided for many centuries: at the Chateau de Vincennes. In 1738, workers from the Chantilly porcelain factory decided to form their own company making porcelains based on the Saxon-style porcelains: beautifully shaped figures – hand painted and gilded – made however in the soft paste style of recent invention by fusing white clay and a substance known as “frit” with lime and chalk. It was popular from the beginning, and the King of France, Louis XV, allowed the workers exclusive rights to make French Porcelain.

Around 1750, the Royal Manufacturer of Porcelain, as the china factory was known, produced an extremely popular style of vase. This further caught the interest of Louis XV who became a major shareholder in the porcelain factory. In 1759, French porcelain had become internationally famous, however due to European competition, the Royal Manufacturer of Porcelain was not in the best financial shape. King Louis XV took control of the plant to better manage its affairs. He introduced the best glazes and the deepest colors ever seen in chinaware. By his lead, caused French noblemen to buy from The King's company.

By the late 1760's, kaolin was discovered in Limoge, France – finally the French had a cheaper source to create hard porcelains and now compete on the same level with the rest of Europe. Trouble was brewing however, as other nobleman wanted to cash in the porcelain manufacture. King Louis the XV loosened his monopoly and allowed other china factories to come to life... however the Sevres porcelains retained the rights to use gilding.

Click to see a small collection of Sevres China Marks.

Denise Calaway is a freelance writer and web mistress for Collectible Antiques Etc. She can be reached at Content and Solutions.

Sheffiled Plated Silver

2006-05-23T09:09:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

Long before the electroplating process was discovered less expensive Sheffield plate was the only alternative to manufacturing with sterling silver. Although a dated method, Sheffield plate is still made today and is regarded as somewhat superior to electroplating....

To read the rest of this article click here.

A Brief History of Glass: Part 2

2006-05-20T10:18:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

Not long after the year 1000 AD German glassworks developed a method of taking blown glass spheres and converting them into cylinders. They then could flatten the sheets cut from the cylinders. They had invented the windowpane.

This leap forward had been made possible because the Germans had learned to make glass with potash instead of sodium carbonate. Soda, a vital part of glass making, was only available from the Mediterranean and was quite expensive. The Germans discovered that the alkali could be obtained from wood ash.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Caring for Antique Rugs and Textiles

2006-05-17T09:11:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

Antique rugs and textiles have long been a favorite among collectors. They are beautiful objects that can do more to change a room’s mood than a colorful area rug. The appeal of antique textiles is exactly it biggest danger. Unlike an antique table or armoire, rugs are walked on, have furniture placed upon them, and are subject to spills. As beautiful as they are, rugs are exposed to destructive forces most antiques are spared.

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Introduction to Antique Firearms.

2006-05-09T14:51:00.000-04:00

By Loretta Crawford

Out of the rough and tumble world of medieval warfare immerged the firearm. Rockets had been attempted in various parts of the world over the centuries but early guidance systems were disappointing and the weapon was declared impractical. Gunpowder began to seriously influence warfare late in the middle ages as the first cannons began to appear. Initially used solely to destroy fortifications the application of gunpowder to killing individuals quickly occurred to medieval strongmen.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Our Antique Store Directory Is Up!

2006-05-08T13:22:00.000-04:00

We have put the first pages of our new Connecticut antique store directory. It is not complete as we are still collecting stores from the four corners of ouir state but they will all be up soon. Connecticut is a tiny state but is simply bursting with antique stores of every description. Some are elegant by appointment only shops with the finest furniture and artworks costing tens of thousands of dollars while others are dusty, hidden, and tiny but always promising that one amazing find.

The new directory will continue to grow. We hope to add hundreds of more stores and develop listings of interest to the many visitors who flock to New England every year to see the magificent foliage and, yes, visit the antique shops. History enthusiasts never lack for something to see. A personal favorite;The Old Newgate Prison and Copper Mine.

In any case, we invite anyone to have a look at Antique Connecticut and welcome any suggestions for improvements and additions to the list.

A Love Affair with Valueless Antique Books

2006-05-05T16:06:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

I will never learn. I know that some old books are valuable and others, for various reasons, are worth almost nothing. However, I will buy any, I mean any, book published before 1900. It's a sort of compulsion driven by a high regard for them as relics.

Just a few recent additions to the No Amount too Small Library:
An 1853 edition of the New Englander Vol.1. 608pgs. Original binding uncracked, pages all complete.

An 1852 edition of The Finland Family. 292pgs. Original binding in very good shape. Pages in very good shape.

I recently visited a local library and checked out a book entitled "Old Rugs". It was published in 1904. It had been rebound, by my guess, in the 1960s but the pages were in fine shape and it was beautifully illustrated. I asked the librarian if they ever pulled books from circulation in order to perserve them. She was somewhat sympathetic but said no, the books remained available to check out until deemed unfit to be kept and are thrown out.

I considered telling them I had lost the book and paying the lost book fee but I'm not dishonest. I then considered telling them the truth and insisting on paying the fee in order to protect "Old Rugs". Loretta convinced me I was being rather silly, but in her heart I know she agreed with me, and to return the book.

It was the cowards way out, but there you are. I hope that "Old Rugs", with its fold out diagrams and lovely prints, sits on the shelves of a small town library for another hundred years. I hope it is not lost, thrown into the backseat of a car, or have wine spilled on it. I hope that it is not eaten, left in the damp, or colored on.

Silas Finch's antique articles can be read at Collectible Antiques Etc.

A Brief History of Glass: Part 1

2006-05-04T08:49:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

A technical definition of glass is an amorphous solid. A curious term that means a substance that cooled from a very high temperature so quickly that it cannot develop regular crystal structures. There are many naturally occurring materials that fit this definition, notably obsidian.

Natural glass is almost always a shade of blue green. Variations in color are the result of impurities within the sand used to make the glass, iron being the primary cause of changes in the shade.....

To read the rest of this article click here.

Antique Furniture: From William and Mary to Queen Anne

2006-05-03T09:47:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

The furniture made during the reign of the joint monarchs is one of the easiest to learn to recognize. Taken as a whole, William and Mary Furniture is very substantial looking. Straight lines, square corners and very little flash define a period where the curve was all but unknown.

To read the rest of this article click here.

The Great French Porcelain Factories.

2006-05-02T08:54:00.000-04:00

By Loretta Crawford

To gain real proficiency as a collector of antique porcelain and china it is necessary to gain a working knowledge of the many famous porcelain factories that have set the standard in china manufacture. To assist the novice in this enterprise today’s article will be a short list of some of the better-known porcelain factories in France.

Sevres- In 1745 a man called Charles Adams received from King Louis XV the right to make porcelain decorated with gilding and figures. His majesty denied this privilege to any other manufacturer.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Antique Swords: Part 1

2006-05-01T08:17:00.000-04:00

By Loretta Crawford

It is not difficult to understand the appeal of collecting swords and similar military antiques. For thousands of antique collectors nothing has the drama and romance of blades. Few symbols of the past have the same psychological impact of swords and similar collectibles.

To read the rest of this article click here.

What is Pewter?

2006-04-29T08:33:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

The pewter beer pot is to many the most recognizable symbol of American household antiques. It is difficult to picture several of the founding fathers without one in their hand. Of course, pewter has been used to make a great deal more than colonial era drinking vessels. The dull gray but strangely compelling metal was popular in the manufacture of countless plates, candlesticks, and even snuffboxes.

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Know Your Antique Metals

2006-04-28T08:38:00.000-04:00

By Silas Finch

Metal ware comes in a baffling variety of materials, all requiring different methods of care and storage. Any hopeful collector will need to be able to identify them to assess their value and condition. Professional antique dealers will nearly always provide you with accurate information regarding a piece you buy but not always.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Antique Auction Rejects and Other Prizes

2006-04-27T13:18:00.000-04:00

By Loretta Crawford

The owners of the really fine antique stores filled with $5,000 Chippendale tables and the like aren't going to like this but I love auction rejects. I adore boxes that have free scrawled across them. Anybody can walk into a lovely boutique and buy an antique but the hunter’s pride is most fulfilled by the bargain.....

To read the rest of this article click here.