fair finds...santos doll and petite French mannequin!

After a full day at a large antique trade fair I managed to find some wonderful antiques including this wooden Santos doll and a French mannequin of small proportions. Santos dolls are very hard to find, I was quite giddy when I saw it being unloaded from a stall holder's van. My favourite wicker trolley was crucial for carting my finds. Actually, I had fellow antique dealers wanting to buy my trolley from me, but somethings are just not for sale! I selected some garden antiques at the fair, including garden urns and tables. I can't wait to get them home to the store. I also happened upon some French vendage or wine harvesting tables. I bought one that has the most beautiful apple wood top, it is large and oval and flips up for storage.

The BBC were filming for an upcoming program of Bargain Hunt, featuring none other than the charismatic Tim Wonnacott. Quite an eventful and satisfying day, I must say!

new in store...decoy pigeon and swan, feather cloche hats, chandelier and a dress mannequin

Both the swan and pigeon were originally used as decoys but now they make wonderfully unique display pieces. The swan gives off peaceful vibes.

These feather hats date from the mid 19th century. I have put one of them on an old wooden spool, an idea from a customer during the week who bought a spool to do just that.

This mannequin is an amazing shape, the waist is so small! The shapes dates it to the Victorian period when corsets were used to create such a small waist. It measures a mere 20 inches! It has been later decorated with decoupage.

We actually have two of these chandeliers. The lustres are sharply cut. The Regency gilt convex mirror in the background has also just come into the store. These are very hard to find.