Today I take you behind the scenes and into my office/research center/storage room, where the bulk of my collection of nearly 600 examples of antiques with inventive repairs is kept. As you can see, the shelves are filled to the rafters. Mind you, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Fearful of the direction I seem to be heading in, I took an online test, Hoarding Symptoms Test for Adults, and thankfully discovered that I am not in danger of becoming a hoarder. At least for now.
You are a collector…NOT a hoarder. I love it all.
TTB
Hi, what a great collection! Do you have any Caughley porcelain amongst it? If so, would you be willing to take a photograph of them and perhaps write a few words for the Caughley Society newsletter? I am Chairman of the society and I know that our members would be fascinated to see them. Regards and thanks, Chris.
http://www.caughleysociety.org.uk
So jealous of your collection. That said, what do I do with 600 Staffordshire figures? I believe you are the Good Samaritan of Make Dos that otherwise could have been trashed. A Saver Savior of sorts. I feel like the guardian of the Victorian Era. I am surrounded by kings and queens and poets and emperors. I open cabinets only to be pleasantly greeted by dogs and elephants and horses and cows. Marie Kondo is cute but if she visited either one of us she would surely have a break down. That said, when I look at interior design photos, it’s always the colorful, crapped up Englishy rooms that appeal most. Are we hoarding ceramics?? Who cares? At least we aren’t minimalists. Eat sushi Marie!! I’m off to London to buy more stuff!!!!
You even categorized them 😉 I can’t help but to envy you. If you ever organize a yard sale… let us know in time please!
Like Marie says, if it brings you joy keep it!
What a pleasure it was a few years ago to attend your lecture at Boscobel. Some of the photographs you posted contain items I was able to see up close and in beautiful splendor. You definitely are nit a hoarder. The love you have for the art of repair and appreciation of old pieces is very apparent. Hoarders are not organizers. Every piece yo have placed with perfection.
I always say “ there is good hoarding and bad hoarding “ Hoarding interesting and beautiful things…Good Hoarding!!!
And I love the groupings!! Beautifully collected and displayed!!
“Nothing succeeds like excess!”
That is a truly magnificent collection!!!
ohhhhhhhhhh I remember seeing one time, a person who lived across the street from my daughter who was in Alexandria, VA at that time. This person was able to open the front door to his house ONLY A SLIGHT BIT AND NEEDED TO SQUEEZE IN SIDEWAYS.
Oh dear me was my thought.
You have a collection, and it looks dusted ! What fun to see your repaired tea pots.
Hi Chris, Thanks for your comment and interest. I do have at least one piece of Caughley and will try to send you photos soon. All best, Andrew
lovely collection. love your eye for things.