December Treasure

Can't believe that we are in mid December and 2013 will soon be over.  It has been a year of highs and lows.  My knee replacement surgery was a marvelous success and I am so grateful for the brilliant surgeon I had, my insurance coverage and the outcome that allows me to move about so easily now.    The passing of my beloved following a quick diagnosis of cancer was devastating for me.   We never saw this ugly disease coming and it took him  so quickly.  I miss Alan daily but he is in my heart and I feel his presence all around me.  

Spent Saturday out and about at favorite haunts and brought home some marvelous pieces.

I adore American basketry and although my collection is a small one, I do have some good pieces.  This large, square split oak market basket is gorgeous and I can't wait to fill it with handspun.  With the cold temps were have been having, I spin fiber for the pure joy of it.

Found this beautiful French, late Victorian stoneware pitcher at the Buford Queen of Hearts that was part of a washbowl set.  Great transferware images.

Closeup of the pair of morning doves that are found all around the pitcher base.  This is another personal keeper.

An auction win, a set of Rudyard Kipling "pocket books". Circa early 1900s.

Another auction win, the works of Washington Irving...one of my favorite American authors.  Right up there with Nathanial Hawthorne and James Fenimore Cooper.  These appear to be first edition and each one has a beautiful engraving at the front.

Engraving of Washington.

Engraving of Buffalo hunt.

Pretty two handled urn is blow art glass in a bronzed metal frame.  Unfortunately, it was dropped by a previous owner and the glass is broken in places. Still, a votive candle inside and it glows beautifully.

A lovely pair of Victorian, Reed and Barton water/wine goblets in marvelous condition.  Heavily silverplated, one chalice is engraved with beaded bands and the other engraved with Eastlake designs.  Circa 1870s.

Most of you know I have a fondness for antique, Currier and Ives prints. This gorgeous print is "Robert Burns and his Highland Mary." Has some age issues but the colors are brilliant and it is in the original frame with bubbled glass.

Found a nice assortment of vintage, Crown Ducal, England transferware plates.  Pattern is Bristol and the transferware color is English Blue.

In the same group was an assortment of plates and bowls in the same pattern but in the color, Bristol blue.

Four antique, mother of pearl handled, sterling ferrule and heavily silverplated Wm. A. Rogers forks. These are in marvelous condition for their age and weighted beautifully.

Six antique, mother of pearl handled knives are in great condition.

Pretty, Reed and Barton fluted server is brilliant silverplate.

Always love to find these antique pitcher and bowl sets in white.  They just speak of another era gone by.  

So I cleaned and I researched and I priced and then I baked pies.  Pumpkin and egg custard, my kitchen smelled heavenly.

 

Hope you holiday preparations are going smoothly and as always, blessings to you and those you love.  Sea Witch