Monday Musing - English Collections

As promised, since The King’s Speech took home an Oscar, I’m posting a few favorite pieces from my personal collection of English items.  Mondays are always busy as I get ready for client meetings so I’ll just pop in some quick photos and comments.

I love clocks and when I saw this floor type at a local antiques’ auction, I just knew I had the perfect place for it.  Even though I’m also a huge fan of the Swedish Mora clocks, the handpainted face is what captured my affection and inspired me into waving my bidder’s number.

Function meets form in the most beautiful way!

I have a set of Maund English botanicals, which were hand-coloured prints taken from a set of books published in London – 1825 to 1835.  I’ll have to admit, the shadow box framing caught my eye as much as the art.

My husband, who loves collecting leatherbound books, came across this piece during one of his hunts.  (We have to police one another’s collecting habits!)  It’s a beautiful hall stand to hold umbrellas and it has a drawer box for gloves.  The carving on the drawer serves as a pull and even though the face has a rather scolding appearance, we both love it.  I really think it’s supposed to remind us not to forget to cover ourselves from the elements.  More than umbrellas, it holds some walking sticks.  (Another collection story.)  I also decided my Italian toleware compote seems to be happy nesting on top. 

Some furniture pieces, from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, show a carved figure, often referred to as the Northwind.  It was often found during the earlier Jacobean period, but experienced a revival during the Victorian era, too.  This handle reminds me more of that of a feline face.  They do say March rolls in like a lion!

It even has the original drip pans intact.  I love the fact that someone cherished it enough to take good care of it for future generations.  I hope to see more consumers view their pieces as worthwhile purchases and not have them end up in the landfills.

 

I featured a post about my English transferware collection on my other blog, Villas and Bungalows.  Stop by to visit and check out that particular story.  As you can see from this photo, I am an avid collector.  I think we have a good bit of the everyday pieces, as well as some of the more difficult to find.  It has been a true treasure hunt!

Collecting, to me, is not about acquiring “things”.  It’s the way I tell the story of who I am.  It captures the memories of sharing time with my husband as we put the pieces together for our home.  We are also aware of the fine line between stuffing spaces or layering them in a well-designed way.  I enjoy being able to help my clients write their “lifebook”, too.  We just have to pick a place for the beginning and then add to the chapters of their lives.

What does your home say about you?  Does it tell your story or someone else's? 

From the King and Queen of our own castle ~ The Hortons

Monday Musings

Even though this is going to be a busy week, and I’ll be burning the . . .

midnight oil. . . . .

I wanted to take the . . . . .

. . . . time

To remember, the . . . .

. . . . key reminder for my week is . . . .

And to share a penny for your thoughts.

Have the best one! ~ Wanda

PS – All of the images are my own and do not constitute professional photography.  :)  For the best in the Charlotte area, contact Whitney Gray.  An awesome photographer and good people, too!

Christmas Countdown Day 15

The Clock Is Ticking!

I’m usually not an alarmist, (smile), when it comes to Christmas.  Things usually fall into place.  Perhaps because I decided to put together this aptly named series, I feel a bit like the sands of time are slipping through the hourglass.  All of a sudden, I’m imagining being in a long hallway, with a huge grandfather clock clanging away at the eleventh hour and scolding me about waiting so long to get my holiday list checked off!   

It’s all about perception, though, and I should think of the clock ticking as the calming rhythm of a heartbeat.  A symbol of life and a joyous looking forward to times to come. 

What a clever idea!  Antique and vintage clock faces turned into ornaments.  (Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens)

The finished tree!

 

I’m enamored with clocks . . . especially those of the floor version.  Grandfather or Grandmother, they make me feel right at home!  (Courtesy of:  Between Naps on the Porch)

This is a winning combination of a mantle clock and an over door piece.  (Courtesy of: Traditional Home)

Ah, Etsy, you never let me down!  At $90, this vintage Italian Tole clock will ring in the hour, beautifully!  (From:  unExpectedParTie)

I won’t even mention what’s right around the corner!

Thanks for spending your time with me! ~ All my best! ~ Wanda

12 Days And Counting!

A Matter of Time

As much as I love being able to have a longer amount of daylight, I have to admit I do enjoy the one day, each year, an extra hour is gained!  I know it’s a manipulation of the hands on the clock, (or a digital update), but it still feels like a wonderful luxury, to me.

I’ll also share, I have a weakness for clocks – and not so much for the digital kind.  I think it’s a combination of the form and function as I enjoy the craftsmanship of each case and dial set.  For me, the tick-tock rhythm is like enjoying the presence of a comforting guest. 

I do love Swedish antiques and this clock and cabinet combination is no exception. A clever craftsman must have decided their customer needed to conserve space. What a great bedroom piece!  (You can find this at A.Tyner Antiques in Atlanta.)

Mora clocks from Sweden.  No, this isn’t a typo . . . it’s the name of just one of the styles of tall case clocks, which can be found in the town of Mora, near the border of Norway.  Production on the clocks began in the late 18th century.  What a smörgåsbord! 

These French Louis XV clocks have similarities in the use of ormolu, or a method of heating and pounding metal to various shapes and forms, and it is often gilded, as well.  The clock, on the left, is referred to as a boulle design, as it contains inlay or marquetry to its wood case.  The clock, on the right, has been hand-painted with figures, often considered very fashionable, for the time. (King Louis XV of France, 1710-1774)

 This English Folk Art Dove Cote with Clock conjures up visions of fairy tales and cottages.  Just look at the detailed carvings.  Don’t let the term “Folk Art” fool you.  This piece stands at 74” high and commands a price tag of $28,000.00!  Should this be your heart’s desire, it can be found at Antiques on Old Plank Road.  Circa, early 20th century.

These Art Deco Clocks, (circa 1825 – 1940), showcase the use of Vinylite, (Plaskon) and celluloid materials.  This period occurred during a height of an international art and design movement.  Designs were considered to be modern, elegant and functional.  The clock, in the upper left corner, is commonly referred to as a “skyscraper” clock, as it exhibited a popular architectural design, such at that found in the Chrysler Building in NYC. 

A few years ago, I spied this beauty being advertised at a South Carolina auction.  It’s an English Tall Case Clock, (circa mid 1800’s), with a hand-painted face and simple inlaid details. I loved that the base was shallow so that it wouldn’t take up too much space in my foyer.  Well, a few flips of my auction number and you can see where it landed!  Does it keep the best of time?  Probably not.  Does the chime make me a little crazy at times?  That’s why I sometimes stop it.  Does it make me feel like I’m home, when I walk through the door?  Absolutely!

One extra hour of time? . . . What a gift and a treasure!

Wishing you cheerful moments!  Wanda

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