Archive for March, 2010

Brass candlestick with nutty base, c.1875

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

A surprising blend of cultures merge when this English cast brass candlestick was attached to a carved Brazil nut pod, after the brass base broke off.

Candle holder with replacement base stands 6.75 inches tall and the repair was most likely done in South America in the early 1900s.

This typical brass candle holder shows what the original base might have looked like.

Photo courtesy of Denhams

Photo courtesy of The Spice Necklace

Chinese Imari pattern teapot, c.1750

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

A Chinese porcelain globular form teapot with Japanese influenced Imari decoration, stands 4″ high. The bullet shape was inspired by European silver of the same period.

When the original porcelain handle broke off, the teapot was taken to a china mender and fitted with a bronze handle replacement. Finely woven rattan embellishes the metal handle as well as provides protection from the heat of a pot full of hot tea.

A silver rim was added to mask chips along the lid and a silver “safety” chain keeps the lid and the teapot together.

This teapot with similar form and decoration still sports its original handle.

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Photo courtesy of Moorabool Antiques

 

Bohemian glass vase, c.1910

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

An Edwardian era vase made of ruby color flashed glass, originally a larger vase, now stands just 5-1/4″ high.

The original glass base was replaced with a painted paper homemade base weighted with plaster.

This is what the intact vase might have looked like, before it dropped.

Photo courtesy of Southern Antique Centre

Miniature salt glaze stoneware jug, c.1840

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

I love miniatures and was really excited to find this tiny two-toned floral sprigged pottery jug, made in Derbyshire, England in the mid-1800’s.

This little jug stands a mere 2″ tall and is made of stoneware with a salt glazed finish, which was fired at a high temperature to insure a glass-like, non-porous surface.

The original handle was replaced with an over scaled tin handle & strap, looking a bit out of proportion on this small jug.

This is what the original jug handle might have looked like had it not broken off.

Photo courtesy of eBay

Dudson jasperware jug, c.1870

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

A large jasperware water jug with sprigged decoration, made by potter Richard Dudson in Stoke-on-Trent, England in the mid-nineteenth century. Jug stands 7-3/4″ tall.

Dudson ceramics pieces are often mistaken for the work of rival potter Josiah Wedgwood, which are similar in form, decoration and color.

The broken handle was replaced over one hundred years ago by a massive pewter handle & support straps, masking much of the sprigged cherubs decoration.

This jug with similar form and decoration shows what the original handle on my jug would have looked like.

jasperware jug

Photo courtesy of eBay

Once a tobacco pipe…now a vase, c.1880

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

When this German porcelain woman’s pipe with applied flowers broke, the bowl was mounted on to a simple wood base, transforming it in to a 5-3/4″ tall vase.

This Austrian hand painted ceramic pipe is shown with its original wood stem.

Photo courtesy of Tobacco Collection

“King’s Rose” pearlware bowl, c.1850

Monday, March 15th, 2010

I found this large soft paste bowl while vacationing in Kerala, India and carried it on my lap during the long flight home. I was hoping to find other antiques with interesting repairs throughout my travels to central and southern India, but I mostly found just broken ceramic pieces with chips, cracks and no repairs. But I am sure India is filled with more many examples of wonderfully repaired antiques and I look forward to finding some of them when I return.

Bowl measures 10″ in diameter and is 4-1/2″ high.

A large chip on the rim has been covered up with a tin cuff and a long crack has been secured by means of a brass strap and rivets.

I believe this to be an English example of Gaudy Dutch ware, with a boldly painted variation of the “King’s Rose” pattern. Please see a coffee pot I posted earlier with a similar pattern.

When I see multiple repairs on the same piece made from different materials, I am led to believe that the damage and subsequent repairs were done at different times.

Prattware “Duke of York” jug, c.1800

Monday, March 15th, 2010

English commemorative pottery jug, stands 7-1/2″ tall.

Has embossed figures of the Duke of York and Prince Cobourg.

Broken handle was replaced with a basic tin replacement handle.

An original jug showing handle intact.

Photo courtesy of Aurea Carter Antiques

Pressed glass “Liberty Bell” goblet, c.1876

Monday, March 15th, 2010

This pressed glass goblet was made by Gillinder & Co. for the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876 as a commemorative souvenir. It is embossed with the Liberty Bell on one side and and printed “Declaration of Independence, 100 Years Ago, 1776-1876” on the other side.

Goblet measures 7-3/4″ high.

After the glass was most likely dropped and the original glass base shattered, a refined turned mahogany wood replacement base was attached.

This complete identical goblet shows what the glass base looked like.

Photo courtesy of Ruby Lane

Baluster cruet jug, c.1710

Monday, March 15th, 2010

A unusual Chinese porcelain baluster form cruet jug with beak spout, stands 5-1/2″ high. It is decorated in the Chinese Imari pattern, using cobalt blue and iron red enamel washes and gilt highlights.

The original porcelain handle has been replaced by a woven rattan covered gilt bronze handle, set at right angle.

These three examples of similarly formed cruet jugs each have their original handles & lids.

Photo courtesy of Christie’s