only in England! crazy antique action witnessed by myself

Wonderful vintage Jaguar car with a sun roof, perfect for fitting in that antique chair bought at a clearance sale...

Yes, I really do see it all over here.  In fact, we ourselves become quite desperate in transporting goods.  Despite having a large van on the road, sometimes we are so full of goodies that a piece or two ends up in the front cabin.  Yesterday we travelled more than 300 miles with a bottle on my lap and a clock between my feet.  Now, that is true love for antiques. 

 

Another example of true love is bringing your pet pooches to help you sell at an antique fair!  These sweet little guys were on a trestle table taking up valuable selling space.  Unless they were for sale? 

 

I have been buying some fantastic pieces for both stores over the last few weeks, next time I will share some of my favourite finds.

 

Until then...

Luxembourg love with a special find...

I am actually in the United Kingdom now, after a blissful time in Europe.  However I thought I would share some of my favourite images of my experience in Luxembourg, one of the world's smallest countries.  We based ourselves in Luxembourg city and had a few day trips to explore provincial Luxembourg, as well.  Upon arriving we spent the afternoon walking the streets to get our bearings. First thing we noticed was that it is so very clean, not a single scrap of rubbish to be seen! I wish the rest of the world could have an ounce of Luxembourgish pride.



 

You can look over the 12th century fortress walls and see landscaped gardens and potagers, the walls formed almost like a balcony over the city.   

 

 

 

Tucked away in the old part of the town was this chapel, it was actually built into the stone valley wall in the old part of the town. It dates to 1355 and was my favourite little gem of Luxembourg city.

 

One of the first stops on most visitor's agenda is the royal palace, called the Grand Ducal Palace.  It dates from the 16th century and has a story-book facade.  I was almost looking for rapunzel! 

 

 

Partly for touristic entertainment, perhaps, this guard marched up and down in front of the palace with a whole lot of foot stomping to boot.  I am sure the gun was real, though!  We watched him as we sat at the Chocolate House opposite and enjoyed the most delicious treat, a "chocospoon", a spoon shaped lump of chocolate which you stir into a cup of hot milk.  There is a wall of flavours to choose from, my idea of heaven. 

 

The flower market on Saturdays in the city centre, the flowers were amazing and so affordable!  I would love to have this market in my village every week, my home would be full of flowers...

And the produce market was just as abundant!  Look at the size of these cheese wheels!  (Not a bad copper milk can, either.  Forever the antique dealer). 

 

And of course, I managed to find a little brocante, or flea market in the town, held on Saturday mornings.

  

A beautiful iron grill in a door speaks of times past. 

And I found the colours of these doors gorgeous, I took a picture to use the colour somewhere back home.



 

The shopping was a treat too, the service in this traditional Ladurée was impeccable.  I can't imagine that any customers open the door themselves!  In fact, we didn't even have to think ourselves, and suddenly we had a bag of macaroons! 

Vianden was one of day trips to country Luxembourg, renowned for this impressive castle perched on the hill overlooking the village.  The fortress castle was built between the 11th and 14th centuries, and again stuff of fairy tales.  We toured throughout the castle which was amazingly a ruin until more recent times, when reconstruction and restoration began in the 1970s. 

 

Another day trip was to Remich in the Moselle valley, where we toured the caves of the famous St Martin cellars.  The caves provide the perfect climatic conditions for the fermentation and storage of their Crémant, a sparkling wine equivalent to the French champagne.  I was amazed at how many oak riddling racks the cellar held in the caves, used for the hand turning of the bottles of Crémant, a crucial process for the production of sparkling wines. 

And finally, on the last day in the city, I found a piece for myself, above, in one of the antiques stores.  I have always had a crush on vellum books and have a little collection at home.  But this example tops the cake.  It dates to 1544 and has an exquisitely tooled binding, both front and back.  It is German and has a picture of a saint in the central frame of both sides, one of which we believe to be depicting St Martin Luther.  The other?  Well more investigation required...

Until next time,

  



antique buying trip begins! with a fun flea market...

We have been so busy in the shop of late with projects and finding new and exciting stock, along with the opening of Flywheel.  And suddenly it was time to head to Europe buying antiques, yet again.  Time just seems to fly at the moment!  It seems it was only months since our last buying trip.   

 The very next day after arriving in Europe we headed to a famous weekly flea market.  Up at 4.30a.m. is not a big deal if you are already jet-lagged!  We found all sorts of goodies to buy, from early 20th century buttons, French cutlery and wonderful enamelled chemist's bottles.  Some stalls specialised in a particular theme, such as leather boots, above. 

Other stalls exhibited a decorative flare, such as this one with stacks of French paper books.  It was fun finding bits and pieces and to try and converse a little in French again (although very poorly on my part, I might add).

 

My favourite find of the morning?  This charming late 19th century book press with the manufacturer's plaque to the front.  This of course will be headed straight to Flywheel after its long journey across the seas!

 

Until next time,

 



new in store! cushions with antique linen fragments...

Look at what my clever mum has been up to, making these gorgeous linen cushions for the store!  She has created a window effect looking through onto an antique linen fragment, I think the mix of textures and colours is just divine. 

At the moment, there are only two cushions of each design available.  All have quality feather inserts. 

 

 

I bought this linen a few years ago overseas.  I am not sure of its origins, whether it is perhaps French or English?  The red ticking is complimentary and a bit unexpected which is why it works. 

This is the other cushion design available, it is made using an entirely different linen fragment, a brighter red colour. 

 

These have a more neutral ticking border and the very outer border is 19th century handwoven linen in a white.  

I like that each central panel is different, the bottom cushion depicts a cornucopia shaped posy of flowers.  I will be on the hunt for more unusual antique linen on my next overseas buying trip. 

 

Altogether different are these vintage chinoiserie linen cushions in soft purple hues.  If you like these cushions you must check out my mum's (AKA Bonsai Queen's) chinoiserie pinterest board.   

 

 

Until next time, 

shabby market this Saturday! sneak peek of goodies we are taking...

 

This week I am tapping into my inner shabby self and finding loads of goodies in our store room to take to the Shabby Market on this coming Saturday!  In fact, it is the day before Mother's day which will make it perfect timing to find a little special something for loved mums.  I thought I would give a little sneak peek of the kinds of things we will be taking along...

Vintage mohair blankets in gorgeous soft pink colours.

A shabby gilded stool which dates from the 19th century.  And some pretty floral cups and saucers.

More vintage wares, all shabby of course!  I think I will need baskets to pile all our bits and pieces in!

This French watering can which has been painted in gorgeous peach tones. 

 

And French buttons on cards, along with jars of buttons for the crafty.  My tables will be overflowing with goodies, I assure you, there will be something for everyone!  I can't wait to see what all the other stallholders bring along.  Here are the essential details...

 

Check out the Shabby Market Facebook page for more information and to tap into your inner shabby self. Or better yet, come along on Saturday and say hi to me!

Until next time,

my favourite pieces at the AAADA antiques show in Melbourne!

 

Well I am home now from Melbourne after helping Richmond Antiques at the the Australian Antiques and Art Dealer's Association antique show which was held last week and over the weekend.  I took some time out from the fair for a little shopping along the nearby hip Brunswick Street.  I also managed to take some pictures around the fair of some of my favourite pieces on offer.  Everything is for sale, so much better than a museum as you can take things home with you (budget allowing, of course!).  Above are stylish floor rugs from Behruz Studio, who always presents room filling rugs of the most gorgeous designs and colours. 

 



 

Upon entering the antiques show, it is worth taking the time to check out the interior of the grand Exhibition Building in which the fair is held.  Perfect for showcasing gorgeous antiques and art!

 

 One of my duties while helping Richmond Antiques was to find flowers to display within this 19th century Chinese trough.

 

 

Luckily I found some wonderful green coloured orchids at a nearby wholesale florist which complimented the aged iron perfectly.  This Chinese trough is a true decorator's piece, it would be great as a focal point in a courtyard. 

 

Also on the Richmond Antiques stand was this antique zebra skin, which we hung on a wall for maximum impact.  Needless to say, this piece sold very quickly!

 

 

This hall chair, with its elegant shell shaped back and painted family crest panel, is one of a set of four.  They date to the Regency period and were made by the important English furniture maker Gillows and were one of the more special items offered for sale by Richmond Antiques.  They have an interesting documented history and were found in northern Tasmania. 

 



 

Nomadic Rug Traders exhibited this rare embroidered panel which from memory was made around c.1800 and from the Uzbek region of central Asia.

 



 

The detail of the embroidered panel is exceptional and the design looks almost French.  This is because it was made for the European market and would have been intended for export to the West, adding to its interest as a museum worthy textile.  

 

This French (or Italian?) figure of a saint was exhibited by Brans Antiques and Art.  Again from memory I think it dated to the 16th century.  I was drawn to the still intact gilding to her dress and also to her lovely soft and sad eyes. 

This Japanese bronze owl on a carved root stand, also of Brans Antiques and Art, was perhaps my favourite item of the fair.  I have a soft spot for Japanese art and am so very overwhelmed by the attention to detail that was given to pieces such as this.  The patina on the root stand is so very beautiful. 

 Look at the detail in owl itself.  It dates to the 19th century and is a very special piece indeed.

Also on the Brans Antiques and Art stand was this early oak refectory table, possibly Italian and dating to the 16th century (again from memory!).  Tables of this age and proportions are very hard to find.

 

A prize sponsored by Tiffany and Co. was given to the best object of the fair, and it was awarded to this carved oak and fully articulated model of a skeleton, owned by Derek Greengrass Antiques.   It is possibly German, Dutch or Belge and dates to the 17th century. 

 

Image from here

 

 It is thought that this model may have been used by academics of the medical profession, or perhaps a ship’s surgeon, to illustrate the various bones of the human body.  Definitely of museum quality but most definitely for sale! 
 

I hope you have enjoyed my little summary of the Australian Antiques and Art Dealers Association show. 

 

Until next time,