A big thanks to Carlos and Cristina S. in Folsom, CA, for sending photos of their Italian Antique Reproduction Mantel Clock in its new home in their beautiful dining room.

One cherub points dramatically upwards, which in this photo draws your eye to the large, Spanish Mission-inspired black wrought iron chandelier that is centered above the handsome, Antique Dining Table and massive, leather-backed Antique Dining Chairs.

This Large Rococo Mantel Clock weighs 42 pounds due to the solid green marble base and measures more than 2 feet in height.  Two cherubs are in spiraling movement around the black globe in the center, which is draped in a gilded cloth, and has very pretty gilded feet and a reeded and ribboned decorative gilded band around the base.

On the wall in the back of Carlos & Cristina's dining room, is a highly carved and stunning Antique Renaissance Buffet with ornate carvings of caryatid figures, which act as support columns.  Light from an open window to the right falls on the cherub, whose outstretched arm in this photo draws the eye to the attractively framed print of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, which was painted by the Spanish Baroque Master Painter, Bartolome Esteban Murillo, in 1678, and now hangs in the Prado Museum in Madrid.  Candlesticks with cherubs sit on either side of the image of the Madonna, surrounded by cherubs, in ascension to heaven, completing this other-wordly design motif.

Thanks, Carlos and Cristina, for sharing images of your new treasure from EuroLuxAntiques.com - we wish we could join you for dinner and linger over a bottle of wine, perhaps a good Spanish red table wine from the La Rioja region?

And thank you for stopping by the EuroLux Antiques Blog! Click here to see more Antique & Vintage Mantel Clocks.

Aimee

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Do you love how a large collection of blue and white pottery looks so pretty grouped together?  Me too.

I am just crazy for hand-painted Majolica ceramics, and I especially love Delftware, which is why we carry a large selection of Vintage and Antique Delftware at EuroLuxAntiques.com.  From Antique Blue Delft Tiles, to Vintage Blue Delft Transferware Plates, to truly unique Antique Hand-Painted Polychrome Ginger Jars like the pair below, you'll find it all at EuroLux Antiques.

A Bit of Delftware History

In case you aren't aware of how Delftware came to be, it all started with the European craze for blue and white Chinese export porcelain back in the early 17th century.

Wealthy Europeans just couldn't get enough of these striking pieces, so that when there was an interruption in the supply of goods from China due the fall of the Ming Dynasty, enterprising Dutch potters from a small town in Holland called Delft, stepped in to meet the market demand.  The Delft potters imitated the look of Chinese export porcelain by using the tin-glaze techniques used by the Italians to create Majolica, also called Faience.  Below is an example of a Vintage Hand-Painted Italian Majolica Charger.

Delftware was a huge success and by the 18th century, there were more than 30 companies creating high-quality pieces in Delft, Holland.  At first Dutch potters drew on Chinese designs for inspiration, like this Antique Hand-Painted Blue Delft Vase and the Antique Hand-Painted Polychrome Delft Charger below. 

 Introducing Dutch Designs

However, Dutch potters soon began to incorporate elements from European culture and decorative plates were made in great numbers featuring windmills, canal scenes with fishing boats, landscapes, seascapes, and scenes of people in daily life, like these Vintage Blue Delft Transferware Plates dating the the 1950s below.

Even famous works of art were copied on Delftware plates, like this Vintage Hand-Painted Blue Delft Charger featuring the famous Dutch Golden Age painter, Frans Hals' The Laughing Cavalier.

 The Many Colors of Polychrome Delft

When the flow of Chinese export porcelain resumed under the Qing Dynasty in 1685, the Chinese brought colored wares, such as pinks and greens.  Not to be outdone, the Dutch potters created Polychrome Delftware, using all the colors of the rainbow, including yellow, orange, green, purple, dark red, brown, and black, and created different shapes too, like the Antique Hand-Painted Polychrome Ginger Jar to the left below and the Vintage Hand-Painted Polychrome Knobbelvase to the right below.

 Tastes Change, and Change Again

Despite the huge success of Delftware, tastes change as generations pass and by the end of the 18th century, the market for Delftware had eroded to the point that only one of the original Delft manufacturers remained in business: De Porcelyne Fles.  The factory was purchased by an enterprising man named Joost Thooft in 1876, which marks the advent of what is considered Modern Delftware. 

Since that time, De Porcelyne Fles (often called Royal Delft and marked with a bottle as shown here) has become the most famous producer of the more than one hundred manufacturers of Modern Delftware, which is still created in England, Belgium, Germany, Japan, and the USA. 

An excellent book that should be on the shelf of any Delftware collector is Discovering Dutch Delftware: Modern Delft and Makkum Pottery by Stephen J. Van Hook, which includes photographs of the marks for a large majority of Modern Delftware companies.

Wall Street Journal Approved

I was delighted to find a recent Wall Street Journal article called "Delight in Blue and White", that states "old or new, Dutch Delftware can be an excellent value - and fun to hunt down," and mentions that the popularity of Delftware is on the rise once again.

If you're seeking to expand your collection, you can find Antique Hand-Painted Blue Delft Gingers Jars like the one on the left below, or Vintage Transferware Blue Delft Ginger Jars like the one on the right below at EuroLuxAntiques.com!

I thought I would also link you to the wonderful blogpost, 56 Reasons Why I Love Blue and White Jars by Tina at The Enchanted Home, which shows 56 different photos of how to incorporate blue and white Delftware into your home design!

Thanks for stopping by the EuroLux Antiques Blog!

Aimee

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Greg and I delivered a beautiful Renaissance Buffet in Bridgeton, New Jersey while we were up north vising family during the Christmas holidays. When we pulled up in front of George F.'s Victorian home, we were amazed to see the fantastic restoration and colorful paint job. George mentioned that he has been restoring this Victorian home, which dates to 1890, for several years and says he is almost finished. Two thumbs up from EuroLux Antiques for a job well done!

George purchased an elegant Antique French Renaissance Henry II Style Buffet dating to 1920 in oak with a rich patina and pretty carved flowers.

George placed the Antique Renaissance Buffet in the dining room, which was just beginning to be decorated for the holidays when we arrived. The Antique Buffet perfectly matched an amazing stained glass window in the dining room that is original to the home.

I was quite impressed with the reproduction patterned wallpaper on the walls and ceiling, which gave a very good impression of how the home may have been decorated at the turn of the century. Of course, the crystal chandelier was a wonderful finishing touch in this beautiful dining room.

As we were leaving, George and a few helpers were busy decorating for the holidays as his home would soon be featured on the upcoming 2011 Historic Bridgeton Christmas Open House Tour in Cumberland County, New Jersey.

If you are searching for a unique buffet or sideboard to add to your dining room, or any space in your house that could use a piece of high-quality antique furniture, look no further than EuroLuxAntiques.com. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Aimee

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If you have been antiquing for very long, it is a great possibility you have seen the Willow pattern in your shopping travels. Thomas Minton designed the pattern around 1790 and for more than 200 years, various manufacturers have used this beautiful, storied transferware pattern.

Born in 1765, Thomas Minton was an English potter. He founded Thomas Minton and Sons in Staffordshire, England which grew into a major international ceramic manufacturing company. Willow, commonly called Blue Willow, is an elaborate, picturesque pattern used on pottery, ceramic, and porcelain kitchenware, and is actually based on a story:

Long ago, a Chinese mandarin emperor, Tso Ling, lived under the branches of an apple tree on the right of a bridge in a majestic pagoda. Over this pagoda and bridge drooped the immortalized willow tree, in front of which is seen the graceful form of a fence. Tso Ling had a beautiful daughter, Kwang-se, who was the promised bride of an old, wealthy businessman.

The girl, however, fell in love with Chang, her father’s clerk, and the two eloped. The mandarin chased them in order to have them killed when suddenly, the gods transformed them into a pair of turtledoves that were able to fly away. These turtledoves are seen gazing into each other’s eyes at the top of each piece of Blue Willow pattern pottery.

Below are more samples for beautiful Blue Willow pieces:

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Alan W. enjoys getting away from it all at his vacation home on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. We certainly agree that the view from his dining room overlooking the bay is extremely relaxing - can you hear the gentle waves lapping the shore and the cry of the sea gulls?

Alan was seeking antique dining chairs to go with a large dining table, and we helped him find a Set of 6 Antique French Renaissance Chairs in walnut dating to 1900 that had unique leather seats with embossed dragons on the backs.

Alan also needed additional storage for china and serving pieces in the dining room, so we suggested a massive Vintage French Renaissance Sideboard in oak dating to 1950 with ornate carvings, large twisted legs, and wrought iron decorative supports.

If you're searching for handsome antique dining chairs, or perhaps an attractive Antique or Vintage Sideboard, let EuroLux Antiques help you find the perfect addition to your home.

Thanks for stopping by the EuroLux Antiques blog!

Aimee

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Hubert Bequet began creating beautiful ceramics in 1926 at the Belgian ceramics manufacturer Auguste Mouzin et Cie (AMC).  (This manufacturer was later renamed La Faencerie de Wasmuël, which operated from 1878 to 1951 in the southwest coal-mining region Borinage region of Belgium.)  AMC was known for fine quality ceramic pieces and specifically for their 1910 introduction of mass production ceramic mantle clocks.

 Bequet opened his own ceramics production factory in 1934 in Quaregnon, incorporating everything he had learned at AMC. The apex of success for the factory was in 1963 when it employed 150 workers, but eventually closed its doors when the pottery and its director then began to experience various problems. The large factory closed in December 1982. Hubert Bequet did however continue to produce pottery in a small workshop, "The Ceramics of Borinage", until April 1985 before closing for good.

Known not just for his colorful, high-quality ceramic pieces with gold rims and elaborate decoration, Bequet also brought mass production to the forefront of the ceramics industry.  Early pieces were either unsigned or imprinted with Belgique and a model number. Pieces  made later on were marked with "Made In Belgium: H. Bequet Quaregnon."

Below is a slideshow of sample Bequet work.

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It was a gorgeous day when we pulled into Susan B.'s driveway in Spartanburg, SC.  Susan has been a great client for years now, and we're always happy to bring another piece to her beautiful home.

Susan picked this very high-quality Antique French Renaissance Hunting Buffet (circa 1880) because it has a wolf or hunting dog at the top that reminded her of her handsome pair of German Shepherds.  I think it really looks wonderful in her living room next to the large oil painting of Venice, Italy.

In the far corner of the living room near the large window and French doors is the gorgeous Antique Welsh Moonroller Grandfather Clock (circa 1810) that we delivered on an earlier trip.  Susan loves its chime and enjoys singing along with the bong - bong - bong!

Susan placed a charming Vintage French Country Secretary Desk (circa 1950) near the front door at the bottom of the stairs as a useful place to keep keys and mail.  This pretty piece greets visitors as they come through the door and adds warmth to Susan's lovely home.

Downstairs in the large finished basement that serves as a family room, Susan added two Vintage Flemish Renaissance Cabinets (circa 1930s) for additional storage.  The large one replaced a fish tank and will give Susan a place to store personal items.  The small one by the back door is perfect for goggles and sunscreen so the kids can grab them on the way out to the pool in the back yard!  My photo didn't turn out, but Susan also has a pretty Vintage French Country Sideboard (circa 1950) in the family room that is used to store towels for the pool.

Susan has quite a few more pieces from EuroLux Antiques in the upstairs hall and bedrooms, but those will have to wait for another blog post.  A big shout-out of thanks to Susan B. for her continued patronage - we appreciate you!

Thanks for stopping by the EuroLux Antiques blog and Best Wishes for 2012!

Aimee

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Greg and I were thrilled to find out about the 2nd annual American Express Shop Small campaign!

First there was Black Friday, and then Cyber Monday.  Now there's Small Business Saturday on November 26th!  Do your part to help the economy by supporting small businesses!  You'll get a one-time $25 statement credit from American Express when you use your registered or linked American Express Card on Small Business Saturday to make a purchase of $25 or more at a small business - and EuroLux Antiques counts!

You'll find EuroLux Antiques at 1409 Main Street in Newberry, South Carolina.  We're a small business with a big E-commerce presence.  Shop with us on Small Business Saturday on November 26th and get 15% off your entire purchase - whether you shop locally with us in Newberry or online at www.EuroLuxAntiques.com! Just use the coupon code ShopSmall during check out on November 26th!

Think globally, act locally, and SHOP SMALL on Small Business Saturday, November 26th!

Thanks for stopping by the EuroLux Antiques Blog!

:) Aimee

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Today's blog post is a big shout out of thanks to Sean Doherty at Doherty Interior Design in Roanoke, Virginia.  Sean added a stunning Antique Scottish Drumhead Grandfather Clock from EuroLux Antiques to complete a new design for a client's office.

Antique Scottish Drumhead Grandfather Clocks are rather difficult to find, but this one, which dates to circa 1820, is particularly beautiful with a very attractive mahogany veneer case.  The bonnet is crowned with a ball and spire finial and decorative flourishes, while a floral motif wraps around the base of the bonnet.

Antique Grandfather Clocks, also known as Antique Tallcase Clocks or Antique Longcase Clocks, were first created around 1670 with the invention of the anchor escapement mechanism.  A long pendulum that only needed to swing 4 to 6 degrees was able to power these longcase clocks and kept much more accurate time than earlier clock mechanisms.  Antique Grandfather Clocks were custom-made by hand for their owners through the 1800s and were considered to be status symbols for the very wealthy.  Pendulum clocks would hold the record for the world's most accurate timekeepers for the next 270 years, until 1927 when the quartz clock was invented.

Sean's classic design for this stately and elegant office, which included the Antique Drumhead Grandfather Clock and beautiful gold silk fabric on the walls, was given a vibrant splash of color with a set of apple green leather armchairs around a banded mahogany conference table.

We're glad to hear that Sean's customer was well-pleased with the finished design.  Here at EuroLux Antiques, we're always happy to help interior designers find the perfect antique piece to complete a project!

Thanks for stopping by the EuroLux Antiques Blog and be sure to check out Doherty Interior Design on FaceBook.  Let Sean know how much you enjoyed his work!

Best wishes,

Aimee

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As an antiques dealer, I am often asked how I determine the approximate age of an antique or vintage item. While the true answer to that question is from the experience gained through many years of directly handling antique and vintage items, one aspect of any determination of age is the aesthetic style or design of the item in question. And to this end, the Art Deco style of antiques is one of the easiest styles to recognize.

Prior to World War I, the Art Nouveau style reigned the aesthetic world from 1890 to 1914, with an emphasis on lavish, free-flowing designs, which focused on organic motifs. However, by the time World War I ended in 1918, people around the world had experienced a sobering loss of innocence that profoundly affected our global consciousness, and which, of course, was reflected in the art and design of the 1920s and 1930s.

Consumers were no longer interested in the elaborate carvings and extravagant nature of Victorian and Revival design styles after WWI, but instead demanded a new modern style based on simplicity and a streamlined design, such as the Set of 6 Antique Art Deco Dining Chairs above. At the same time, consumers were fascinated by new technologies that were recently introduced to the world: the radio, the television, the automobile, the airplane, and architectural wonders known skyscrapers, such as the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in New York City.

Ever wonder how the name of this modern, streamlined aesthetic originated? It all began at The International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Art (Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes) that was held in Paris in May of 1925 to showcase the new, modern, and functional design of France. Forty three years later in 1968, a museum exhibition was held of many pieces from the 1925 Paris Exposition, and that is when the term Art Deco was first used to describe this exuberant style, firmly rooted in the promise of the future.

Early Art Deco style of the 1920s uses dynamic, sweeping curves, which give the feeling of velocity and speed, and the aerodynamic design of airplanes and automobiles. The Art Deco style at its heart is the celebration of the Age of Machines, of the optimism of spirit that announced the future had already arrived, and it had been carried on the wings of technology.

This disconnection with the past was also expressed by the Flappers, young women who rebelled against societal norms, in the Roaring Twenties. These women shocked society by taking off their girdles, cutting their hair short, and then smoking, drinking, and dancing all night long in the Jazz clubs. This radical break in tradition required a bold, new, and dramatic style, and Art Deco design was recognized as the "bee's knees" and the "cat's pyjamas."

As the Art Deco style progressed through the 1930s, emphasis shifted away from sweeping curves, switching instead to a focus on rectilinear lines and geometric shapes. These geometric shapes were often fractionated, reflecting the Cubist influence of the contemporary artist, Pablo Picasso.

Key attributes of the Art Deco style are the use of geometric shapes, zigzags, trapezoids, chevron and starburst patterns, as well as the stylized use of flowers and animals such as gazelles and birds. The Antique Art Deco Buffet and the Antique Art Deco Vanity above show the focus on a rectilinear design in combination with stylized flowers, as does the Antique Art Deco Chandelier below.  Notice the sunburst design combined with stylized lettering on the Antique Art Deco Crucifix below.

A dramatic and bold color palette was favored in Art Deco design.  Bright yellow, red, orange, green, and blue were used abundantly, especially in the joyful dishware line called Fiestaware in the United States.

After the stock market crash of 1929 when unemployment reached 25% in the US, inexpensive Art Deco products in cheery colors were still in demand as they helped boost sagging spirits, while the focus on technology and the future promised better things to come.

Art Deco designs took center stage at The World's Fair in Chicago in 1933, and again in 1939 in New York City. The most prominent architects of the Art Deco era include the streamlined designs of Frank Lloyd Wright and the father of the steel and glass Bauhaus movement, Walter Gropius. In furniture design, Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Jules LeLeu ruled the day, while outstanding glassware was designed by Rene Lalique, whose style was inexpensively reproduced and later became known as Depression Glass.

I hope you enjoyed learning about the vibrant Art Deco style of antiques, and that you agree it is quite easy to recognize.

Thanks for stopping by the EuroLux Antiques blog!

Aimee

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