The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is displaying a firefighting-themed quilt made in 1853 in South Reading, Mass. in museum’s Artifact Walls. The quilt will be exhibited until approximately the end of the year. The quilt is composed of thirty 15-1/2-inch blocks and measures 93 inches by 78 inches. On one [Read More]
Noel Barrett’s June 19-20 Toys of Summer auction recalled the simple charm of village life in late 19th- and early 20th-century Europe with a parade of predominantly German-made tinplate characters and scale-model marvels that grossed nearly $1 million (all prices quoted include 15% buyer’s premium). It wasn’t just the toys that came [Read More]
In the entire world, there are but a handful of companies that attempt the level of furniture making for which West Coast-based Burton-Ching has developed its sterling reputation. On July 13, 2009, international fine arts auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields offered part II of the famed Burton-Ching Collection to a highly enthusiastic crowd. [Read More]
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History acquired a letter written by George Washington Nov. 30, 1785, to David Stuart, an associate and stepfather to Washington’s grandchildren. Stuart was in Richmond, Va., and had written to Washington with news of the Virginia legislature. Washington wrote this letter during the short period—1783 to [Read More]
David Gill, archaeologist, considers how antiquities derived from Iraq continue to appear on the antiquities market. The 2003 invasion of Iraq led to the loss of some 15,000 items from the archaeological collections in Baghdad. This alerted the international community to the scale of the problem and as a result some 6000 [Read More]
A logbook from the famous 1872-1876 journey of HMS Challenger, described at the time as “the greatest advance in the knowledge of our planet since the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries” will go on sale at Bonhams 16th September auction of Exploration, Travel and Topographical Pictures. The Book is estimated to sell for [Read More]
Stiles Auction, LLC of Lena, Wisconsin and Zurko Promotions of Shawano Wisconsin have teamed up for a fantastic Duck Decoy, Fishing Lure, Gun and Outdoor Sporting Auction scheduled for October 24th 2009. The auction which is featuring rare, and some signed vintage decoys from the midwest decoy makers as well as a [Read More]
A new world auction record was recently established for an antique doll when Theriault’s, the specialty auction house for antique childhood items, drew heated bidding for a seldom seen French art doll, circa 1914, by sculptor Albert Marque. The doll realized $263,000.00 (including buyers premium), shattering the previous record for a similar [Read More]
The innovations and artistry of Louis Comfort Tiffany will be explored in an exhibition of his blown glass works opening at The Corning Museum of Glass on November 1, 2009, and running through October 31, 2010. Tiffany Treasures: Favrile Glass from Special Collections will showcase nearly 60 hand-wrought pieces designed by Tiffany [Read More]
Inaugurating the J. Paul Getty Museum’s partnership with the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Florence, The Chimaera of Arezzo, on view from July 16, 2009–February 8, 2010, at the Getty Museum at the Getty Villa, features a masterpiece of Etruscan bronzework known as the Chimaera of Arezzo. This large-scale sculpture of a triple-headed, [Read More]
This exhibition of remarkable Antarctic photography by Herbert George Ponting and Frank Hurley marks the 100th anniversary of Captain Scott’s ill-fated journey to the South Pole. Ponting’s extraordinary images record Scott’s Terra Nova expedition of 1910-13, which led to the tragic death of five of the team on their return from the [Read More]
In a spectacular display of archaeological finds, The Golden Graves of Ancient Vani, on view from July 16 through October 5, 2009, at the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Villa, presents more than 140 objects from one of the most celebrated archaeological sites in the Republic of Georgia, including four [Read More]
The Randolph Street Market Festival enjoys the comparison to Paris’ legendary Le marché aux puces de Saint-Ouen. Celebrating fashion, food and smart style, more than 200 vendors will pay homage to the French at the July Market. With its unparalleled selection of unique items in all price ranges, everyone from veteran collectors [Read More]
Beauty with a purpose was the guiding aesthetic for Charles and Henry Greene, acclaimed architects and designers of the American Arts and Crafts Movement in the early 20th century. Known for their signature “ultimate bungalows,” the brothers designed “total living environments? for their clients”, including the architecture, furnishings, and even the surrounding [Read More]