Josiah Wedgwood was the youngest of twelve children born in Burslem, Staffordshire in 1730. His home town became renowned for its pottery production in the latter half of the eighteenth century. In her early twenties, Josiah Wedgwood worked for the most renowned potter of his day Thomas Whieldon. Wedgwood became Whieldon’s partner in 1754. Josiah […]
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Fountain comes from the latin word fons which means source or spring. The ancient Greeks had aqueducts that terminated in fountains for drinking and washing. The Romans mastered the aqueduct. Excavations at Pompeii show civic works including fountains at regular intervals along public streets. These were fed from the aqueducts via lead pipes. Wealthy Romans […]
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Thomas Chippendale (UK, 1718-1779) was a cabinet maker who became a household name by publishing the first furniture catalogue “The Gentlemen and Cabinet Maker’s Director”. His work was copied throughout England as well as the New Worl. The slightly curving back legs of this chair reach up to form the back rest and the back […]
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What do wax Customs Export Approval seals or “Jian Ding” on Chinese items really mean? Does it guarantee the piece is an antique? The answer, of course, is not simple. Jian Ding have been used since about 1949 to approve items for export. Anything made before 1949 is considered a “cultural relic” and cannot be […]
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Torpedo bottles (Hamiltons to our American friends) were round bottomed so they had to be kept on their side to keep the cork moist and sealed. This form was popular in the 1840’s through 1870’s. This lot is a glass ‘torpedo’ bottle in leather holder, with leather ‘cap’ threaded through buckled leather carry straps which […]
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