SNUFFING WITH ELEGANCE

Vintage Brass Candle Snuffer

No longer available

Since the invention of the candle, man has needed this simple yet useful tool.

Made from brass, this lovely twisted handle candle snuffer displays a beautiful vintage patina which can only be achieved by time. It features a flat-top bell cone snuff, while its' side handle attachment begins with a simple hook, then spirals to complete the handle with yet another hook which is very useful for hanging storage.

There are no markings to indicate marker or year of make. This snuffer may pre-date 1940 but I have listed it at this year due to that lovely patina.

SIZE: L: 26 cm Snuff D: 3.5 cm

An elegant accessory for any candle lover.

No more pinching the flame when you can snuff in style.

THE HOSTESS WITH THE MOST-ESS

RARE ROYAL VINTAGE 5 PIECE HOSTESS SET

No longer available .....

How I delighted in this amazing find. Again, I had no idea what I had. Yes, it was Royal Albert, that was good. Yes, it was a complete set, that was also good. And yes, it was named "American Beauty" as it was clearly marked in the floral backstamp. Many nights ensued trawling the vast 3w's (www.) to uncover some very interesting facts about Royal Albert's mysterious Five Piece Hostess Set (for that it was called). A few select sight knew of its' existence yet no one could actually tell you of what it consisted.

Much more research and sleepless nights revealed that my mystery was solved. I had purchased this gorgeous set as an intact, complete set. What luck! It made my understanding of the Five Piece Hostess Set so much easier.

Each PIECE is not as modern terms dictates (counting cup and saucer as two pieces) but rather reference to how many settings are contained within.  One piece consists of the tea pot, lid and under plate. Another of a cup and saucer. While the creamer and sugar bowl count as individual pieces each. Thus, in total five pieces.

This beautiful 5pc Hostess Set revels in the glory of the rarer than rare 2 cup Mini Tea Pot and the ever unheard of Tea Pot Under Plate (which at first I thought may have been the under plate to the butter keeper but was still the wrong size).

Another delight found within the set are the 'MALVERN' style tea cups. These elegant handled cups are often found with missing handles due to the fact that they rise up above the rim of the cup which causes them to be easily damaged and broken. Yet here they are in perfect condition ... as is every piece in this set.

In the back of my mind I wish that no one will buy my delightful set and I will have to keep it and use it myself, he-he-he. But, alas, I know it will go. And now I must also, to find my treasures out there in the big wide world and bring them to you.

There are more photographs and details about this AMAZING set in my etsy store RESTOREDau.

Visit me there and enjoy a stroll through my store. If you would like more information or are just curious than you can also contact me through the store.

Ever Yours - n - Earl Grey's

Camielle

TAKE ME TO THE STORE, PLEASE!

SERVING AN APHRODISIAC

A TASTE OF FRANCE  -  MAJOLICA

Again, in our travels, my husband has helped me to find many beautiful pieces from the past and this is yet another. "It's a flower plate" he smiles.

"Oh! It's for oysters, honey, but isn't it lovely!" I reply.

Another tempting piece for my Etsy Store, "RESTOREDau". 

But with no makers mark or stamp I knew I was setting myself a challenge and a challenge I was willing to accept. [Makes me feel like an archaeologist, he-he-he]. So after many hours, days and yes, weeks this is what I have uncovered in my learnings.

Majolica was first made in Faenza and Pesaro, then in Gubbio, then Urbino, Perugia, Ferrara, Monte-lupo, Naples and other places in Italy.

During the Great Majolica Period (1400s-1500s) it was the fashion to present to lovers, mistresses or betrothed(fiancée), small ornamental pieces of ‘Amatoria’ (generally plates, dishes or vases) with the portrait and 1st name of their favoured fair. Majolica popularity was lost by the end of the 1500s but was revived during the 1600s at Naples, known as the Neapolitan Ware, but was distinguished with its thinner colour glazings. It is said that the Italian majolica copied those of France but with much more gusto to their designs.  (cited: A Guide To The Knowledge of Pottery, Porcelain, 1857).

This beautiful majolica oyster plate has been skilfully formed and glazed by hand to create a most pleasing tableware server. The backstamp has been washed away but after a great deal of research and comparison I have determined from the design features (overlapping wells, number of wells, background array positioning, well shapes defined and present [ear lobe, etc], overall size and wells positioning) to be that of the PILLIVUYT PORCELAIN COMPANY of France.

Pillivuyt Porcelain of France have been recognized the world over as the 1st choice for enduring quality and design. Pillivuyt have used nothing but the finest materials in their wares since 1818, making them a leader in culinary tableware and bakewares for almost 200 years.

Though missing it's mark, it lacks nothing in design and style.  It has been used but shows little actual wear.  There are a few random dark marks in the glaze which I have discoered present in many other oyster plates by Pillivuyt, whether from grains of dirt in the glaze or other I cannot determine.

In excellent vintage condition with no chips, cracks, repairs or damage but crazing is evident and expected with age.

 

It is now available in my Etsy store - RESTOREDau. 
By clicking the icon below you can visit me now.

THINK I'M TURNING JAPANESE

Many people and even collectors have been known to snub the porcelain wares of Asia believing them to be poor quality in comparison to those of Britain and Europe. HOW WRONG THEY ARE!

The finest quality porcelains originated in Asia (Korea, Japan, & China) and were traded to the Western countries in the early days. By 'early days' I don't mean 1940s or even 1900s. I'm talking 1600s & 1700s along the 'silk road' and by sea. 

British & European manufacturers soon followed the Asian processes to develop and refine their own wares. Many of the Asian manufacturers continue to use these ancient methods to create to-days wares to meet with the high demand for fine china. From ancient to new Japanese porcelains remain highly sort by collectors the world over.

Vintage Antique Japanese Porcelain Vase- Fukagawa-Sei,  深川, Made by Fukagawa, Fukagawa, Arita, Japan. Imari Kiku Design (Chrysanthemum), Meiji Period 1868-1913

Fukagawa Porcelain Company is but one of these Asian porcelain companies who have continued to implement their traditional methods in to modern manufacturing, and have been the official supplier to the Imperial Household in Japan since 1910.

As they say " Fukagawa is a family, company and city " in Japan, equally with an enduring history.

I found this lovely Fukagawa vase recently and couldn't wait to share it with you.  It features a rich cobalt blue underglaze (which means they painted the blue before applying a clear glaze and firing it to set it) with a gorgeous overglaze of traditional Japanese kiku design (chrysanthemums) in what is known as 'Imari' styled art work. Imari refers to the rich red, blue and gold art works, which often completely covered the porcelain ware but was so called to identify the wares that were being exported from the Japanese port of Imari. These ornate decorative wares were all applied by highly skilled artisans. No shaky hands here!

Mount Fuji & Stream Logo With "Made By Fukagawa" Japanese Characters

Fukagawa-sei back stamped in blue features the Mount Fuji and stream logo, and characters of the Fukagawa Porcelain Company. Gotheborg indicates the historical use of this backstamp most likely to be c. 1900-1920, though backstamps are known to exceed their own time periods, just to confuse us all. This mark galls between both Meiji (1868-1913) and Taisho (1913-1926) periods and just reaches in to the Showa (1926-1988) period also. I estimate this piece to be c. late 1890s, having been guided by Gotheborg's following information.

Fukagawa 'Imari' Wares Rate Highly On The Collectors Market

                                                                               From www.gotheborg.com – “1891 the McKinley Tariff Act was instated, requiring items imported into the United States to be marked in English with the country of origin. The name "Nippon" was chosen for items coming from Japan. (Nippon is the Japanese name for Japan.) In 1921, the official country of origin name requirement was changed to "Japan", thus creating a defined time period 1891-1921 in which wares were marked Nippon. Previous to 1891, items were either not marked at all, or marked with Japanese characters. During the period 1921-1941 porcelain should be marked "Japan" and roughly after 1941, marked "Made in Japan", though numerous exceptions appears to occurs.”

You can now find this item in our Etsy Store

click here to visit