Buying Antiques From Dealers – Online! Friday, May 8 2009 

The internet has completely transformed the way people buy and sell, for the first time everyone has the most powerful research tool at their fingertips. But selling on line can by no means replace the face to face interaction of a dealers shop.

The tragedy is that although a website may get a lot of traffic only a tiny percentage of the traffic will stop with any intention of buying. A lot of this is the reluctance to contact the dealer.

Buying online should be an effective way of dealing in objects without putting the buyer under any pressure; the buyer has plenty of time and opportunity to research and make a educated decision. But perhaps that is it, there is no pressure or interaction.

Online dealers need to have a respectable online presence that carries the correct message, that the dealer can be trusted and his products can be relied upon for being interesting, rare, and of a desirable quality. I believe that the items I have presented here are well chosen; they are not items that you will see again and are certainly not pieces that you can just walk to the local shop and buy. Unique special objects demand respect and admiration. I challenge you to not feel so reluctant about spending money, a beautiful object will ultimately give you a lot more long term pleasure than a few weeks grocery shopping, or a weekend break.

What do you think?

A early 19th Century Indian Hardstone Sculpture of a Nandi bull Sunday, Apr 26 2009 

Indian Hardstone Sculpture of a Nandi Bull

Indian Hardstone Sculpture of a Nandi Bull

A rare early 19th century hardstone sculpture of a devotional bull. Superbly sculpted with its head at a slight angle, the body and skin highly finished with subtle details, the whole supported by a rectangular stepped base. The eyes inset with glass.

The figure is carved from a single piece of hardstone, the stone itself has a wonderful translucency with subtle colouration.

India, circa 1800

Height 4 1/2in – 11.5cm
Width 5 1/2in – 14cm
Depth 2in – 5cm

Weight 900g

SOLD

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandi_(bull)

19th Century Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Boxes Tuesday, Mar 31 2009 

Click here to view the current stock www.idhome.co.uk

These rare antique boxes originated from the tropical Island of Ceylon, they tend to date to the second half of the 19th century. They seem to have been widely produced, however two areas in the Southern Territory seem to have excelled at the manufacture and production of the finest boxes. There are few antiques that can be pinpointed so well to a area of production, however these boxes often have elaborate decoration on the interiors around a name. ‘Ceylon’, ‘Galle’ and ‘Matara’ are among the most commonly found. Galle and Matara are both important towns along the southern coast of Ceylon, they were and still are busy trading posts. This export trade must have been why production was focused in these areas.

Map showing Southern Ceylon, including Galle and Matara. Colombo is located at the top left of this image.

Map showing Southern Ceylon, including Galle and Matara. Colombo is located at the top left of this image.

The range and quality of the porcupine quill boxes varies hugely, with the crudest forms being of small scale with large sections of quill and poorly interspersed bone dots. On the other hand, the finest boxes use extravagant materials such as horn and the finest quills placed in delicate chevroned patterns, or carefully chosen for their quality of consistent colour to achieve a overall blond appearance. The interiors of the finer boxes are also often finished with red dye used to highlight the smaller details such as decorative circles or the curve of an elephants ear.

A fine small scale box from Matara

A fine porcupine box from Matara - Sold

Boxes with the name ‘Matara’ stamped inside tend to be of a finer quality and in particular have a signature style of placing small dots above and below larger dots along the frieze. Matara boxes tend also to have a raised lid which is again another extra embellishment not seen on other boxes. Peculiar  to Matara is a writing slope box design, which is quite large, decorated with quills on all sides and with elaborate bone inlay on the interiors. These often have MATARA written in dots along the pen tray. There is another quite particular group of boxes that do not have any reference to a town or place, they are normally decorated with oblong panels on the interiors and sometimes retain the lidded trays. It is hard to place these with any accuracy, however the techniques used are close to the other boxes mentioned, except the tops have up to five straight bands of quills.

It is not clear who these boxes were made for as I have not found any actually in Sri Lanka, the majority seem to be in the UK, having seen few in Europe. There are many in America, but I am not sure if these were shipped from Ceylon or from Europe during the 20th century. Their decorative charm and casual formality lend themselves to use in decorative schemes. They are wonderful decoration as a group, or if stacked one on top of the other.

Below are the quill boxes from the archive and current stock. Hopefully this page will do very well on the internet, and perhaps find anyone interested in these wonderful boxes. If you have anything to add to this document then please do get in touch and if there are any boxes of particular interest please do let me know. (please note I have posted just a small selection here) decordealer at yahoo.co.uk

A Small scale Matara Box £300

A Matara Box

A Anglo Ceylonese ebony and porcupine quill box £220

A Anglo Ceylonese ebony and porcupine quill box

Fine Ceylonese ebony and porcupine quill box. SOLD

Fine Ceylonese ebony and porcupine quill box. SOLD

Large scale porcupine quill box

A Fine Large scale porcupine quill box - Sold

SERPENTINE DOG : the dog of Alcibiades Monday, Jan 19 2009 

Serpentine Marble Dog

SERPENTINE DOG : the dog of Alcibiades

A mid 19th century serpentine models of ” the dog of Alcibiades”. After the antique.
England Circa 1860

Height: 11in (28cm)

SOLD

A Christopher Dresser Articulated Letter Rack 2555 Hukin & Heath Monday, Dec 22 2008 

pl_8_detail_1

Silver Plated Articulated Letter Rack
Model 2555
Hukin & Heath – Birmingham and London
Design : Christopher Dresser
Material – Silver Plate

height 12.5cm

A fine example of Hukin and Heath’s work, this letter rack is extremely rare in such excellent condition. It has no wear and tear, no scratches and scrapes, no dents, and no sign of any repairs having been carried out. It has a central support with three hinged supports each side that fan out, giving six compartments. The base is of a curved bridge design, with ball feet at each corner.

Price SOLD

If you are interested in aquiring this design classic, please leave a comment below and I will be in touch.


Christopher Dresser Letter Rack by Hukin & Heath

Christopher Dresser Letter Rack by Hukin & Heath

Christopher Dresser Letter Rack by Hukin & Heath

Christopher Dresser Letter Rack by Hukin & Heath

Two Pairs of Christopher Dresser Arts & Crafts Candlesticks Monday, Dec 22 2008 

I very much admire the simplicity of pieces by Christopher Dresser. Just currently I have a good selection of a few classic designs which always send a shiver down my back when I see them!

Pair of Christopher Dresser Candlesticks

Pair of Christopher Dresser Candlesticks FOR SALE

(more…)

A Art Nouveau Vase by Bradley & Co Stamped Beldray Thursday, Oct 30 2008 

Mount Pleasant, Bilston, Wolverhampton
Founded 1872 – Ceased trading 2005

Prior to 1900 Bradley & co were better known for utilitarian metal wares such as coal buckets, buckets, watering cans, and tea pots. In 1902 however the company began producing art metal wares under the directorship of Harry Doubleday who was employed as workshop manager to increase productivity and modernise the company. He oversaw the production of pieces such as the present vase but also other pieces of pure brass and also with wrought iron. The sheet metal workshop was well suited to the production of these wares and produced artistic pieces until the advent of WWII when works stopped completely.  The business continued until 2005.

For a complete history please click here http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/beldray

The vase is stamped Beldray which is an anagram of Bradley

England, circa 1908

Height 12 inches
Diameter 5 inches at the base.

SOLD


www.idhome.co.uk

This vase is typical of the Late Victorian period with the Art Nouveau motif repeated around the vase.

A Large Brilliant Set Paste Diamond Ball Clock Wednesday, Oct 29 2008 

These clocks make wonderful gifts for a gentleman’s or lady’s desk, they are quite rare and are certainly hard to find at a reasonable price. I have seen several for well over £1500.

Swiss Apste Ball Clock, circa 1890

The clock set in a crystal ball with a flat beveled glass front and a brilliant green and clear paste set bezel. The face with roman numerals on green enamel spots on white with gilt details, the hands of blued steel with a subsidiary dial for the seconds. The winder with a hoop for hanging on a clock stand.

In full working order.

Possibly France or Switzerland, circa 1890

Diameter of face 8cm

SOLD – We have several ball clocks in stock – if you are looking something similar, then please get in touch. decordealer at yahoo.co.uk

A Hukin and Heath bowl and stand Monday, Aug 25 2008 

I found this bowl on ebay, I don’t want it but it is a very beautiful thing, it has several qualities that elevate it above the competition. Firstly the price, seems really cheap! £50 for an object such as this is cheap, very cheap. It must have cost an awful lot more when it was made circa 1900. The work is superb, a silver plated base supporting finely chased gilt ferns which hold a glass dish, engraved and cut.

The glass bowl is the first thing to worry about, but it appears to be in perfect condition,  untouched by use and I am also happy that it is original. It has probably been kept safe in a cupboard and thus remains in perfect condition.  How can something as beautiful as this be so cheap, it would cost more than that to have the glass bowl made and cut? My only concern is that it’s design is verging on fussy, “Victorian fussy” but still the decoration is used sparingly with only two fern leaves on each side. I think its a winner but not for me.

If you buy this because of this post I would love to hear from you!

This is a very beautiful, old and very unique H&H HUKIN & HEATH SILVER PLATE BIRMINGHAM with SATIN GLASS c. 1870-80 dish. The glass dish has a marvelous satin and cut design and an oval shape. The base dish has fantastic and ornate gold leaf ornaments and an elegant silver oval base with four ball legs. The bottom is marked. The plate and dish have a very exquisite and ceremonial feel to them. It measures 3 1/4″ tall (8 1/2 cm), 5 1/4″ long (13 1/2 cm) and 3 3/4″ wide (9 1/2 cm). The glass dish and plate are in excellent condition except for that the base has five small dark spots.

eBay item 16027534978
Seller macingel

Mechanica Hydraulico-Pneumatica, the very first work of the famous Caspar Schott. Sunday, Aug 24 2008 

Mechanica Hydraulico-Pneumatica, the very first work of the famous Caspar Schott.
Well-preserved first edition from 1657.

Title:
Mechanica Hydraulico-Pneumatica. Qua Praeterquam quod Aquei Elementi natura, proprietas, vis motrix,
atque occultus cum aere conflictus, a primis fundamentis demonstratur; omnis quoque generis Experimenta Hydraulico-pneumatica recluduntur;
& absoluta Machinarum aqua & aere animandarum ratio ac methodus praescribitur. Opus Bipartitum [...].

Together with:
Experimentum Novum Magdeburgicum, Quo vacuum aliqui stabilire, alij evertere conantur; Inventum primo Magdeburgi a Praenobili & Amplissimo Domino Ottone Gericke Urbis Illius Consule; Prefectum Vero, & novis additamentis auctum Herbipoli in Arce Ducali & Episcopali Mariae Virgini sacra. Experimentum A Fundamentis explicatur; variorum doctorum Virorum judicia de eo afferuntur; Vacuistarum & Aristotelicorum argumenta examinantur, & eruditis ulterius ventilanda proponuntur.

Author:
Schott, Caspar [Gaspar, Kaspar] (1608-1666)
(German mathematician, physicist and pedagogue. Member of the Jesuit order)

Place of Printing / Publisher / Year:
Würzburg / Frankfurt, H. Pigrin for J. G Schönwetters Erben, 1657
(VD17 39:119196M)

Format:
8° (8.6 in x 7 in)

Collation:
Three parts in one volume.
[13] leaves, 488 p., [8] leaves

Binding / Condition:

Beautiful original 17th century binding distinguishing itself through its simple elegance. The well-preserved vellum binding with five raised bands is provided with a hand-written title on the spine.

The binding is slightly rubbed and somewhat stained, but otherwise in a good and firm condition. The paper is a little darkened and marginally browned. Lacking the engraved frontispiece and the plates 30 to 33 from the Mechanica. A small piece of the lower margin of the title page has been cut out (deletion of a hand-written ex libris, no loss of text). Few of the folding engravings have tears, some have discreet hand-written notes. All in all a wonderfully preserved 17th century volume with a large number of beautiful and detailed engravings which are predominantly in very good condition.

Description, contents and further information:

This is the first edition of the first work by the renowned physicist and mathematician Caspar Schott. This impressively illustrated volume is a guide to the hydraulic and pneumatic instruments of Schott’s teacher, the famous polymath Athanasius Kircher. However, the Mechanica Hydraulico-Pneumatica became particularly famous for its description of Otto von Guericke’s legendary experiment (Experimentum Novum Magdeburgicum). Schott explains the development of the vacuum pumps and ultimately proves the possibility of creating an artificial vacuum.

The 42 full-page and partly folded copper plates are most impressive. In great detail these plates depict a great variety of instruments and machines as well as plates with image series beautifully illustrating some more complicated experiments. Among the instruments displayed are several depictions of fountains, automatic organs and other pneumatic musical instruments. Some of them are even provided with sheet music samples.

In addition to the scientific representations the volume also contains some captivating artistic interpretations. One picture for example shows a group of scientists in a great hall watching four small angels using a vacuum pump and other machinery.

Apart from these elaborately engraved plates the volume contains 78 beautiful woodcut illustrations of various sizes integrated in the text. While most of these illustrations also depict instruments and materials some also represent geometric drawings and mathematical formulas. The richly illustrated volume is furthermore decorated with a number of woodcut vignettes, initials and borders showing ornate figures or floral ornaments. Especially worth mentioning is a small woodcut on the first page showing the coat of arms of the then Archbishop of Mainz, Johann Philipp von Schönborn (1605-1673), to whom this first edition is dedicated.

Caspar Schott (1608-1666) was a 17th century mathematician and physicist who is not so much known for his own discoveries, but rather for his habit of gathering natural scientific findings and experiments. After attending the Jesuit college in Würzburg Schott decided to join the order. In 1631, however, he was forced to flee from the invading Swedish troops and moved to Palermo where he finished his studies and stayed for 20 more years teaching mathematics and philosophy at the local Jesuit school. Before moving back to his hometown, Würzburg, Schott went to Rome in order to assist the famous polymath Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680) with his experiments.

At the end of the Thirty Years’ War Schott went back to Germany where he became a teacher at the grammar school in Würzburg. It was not until late in his life that he decided to publish his writings. In the relatively short span of eight years this prolific scholar issued eleven books, among them the Mechanica Hydraulico-Pneumatica which was the first one he wrote.

This edition of the work had immense influence on 17th century natural sciences and the large number of beautiful engravings adds enormously to its cultural and scientific value. Its prominent position in the history of experimental science is particularly due to the first ever description of Otto von Guericke’s epoch-making vacuum experiment which, in the copy at hand, is complete and in very good condition.

Courtesy of Antiquarischer Lexikonhandel

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