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Tea was extremely expensive in the 18th century, and it was therefore natural that the containers to hold it should be made in silver. Early caddies are octagonal and have a detachable cap which doubles as a measure. The early ones in particular are sometimes lead-lined with sliding bases or covers for ease of filling. At first caddies came singly, but in the 1720s pairs became common, one for green and one for black tea. At this date they can …
Baskets described in old invoices as being for bread or cake have for a long time been more often used for fruit. Although baskets existed in England in the 17th century, examples earlier than 1740 are rare. After this date, they survive in very large numbers. American baskets are very rare. As most baskets have pierced decoration and were in daily use for a long time it is important to check them carefully for damage, especially those with pierced decoration …
Art, like music, is a universal language. It beautifies our homes, expresses our tastes and enriches our lives. Collecting art is open to everyone. But how does one start? To help you become more knowledgeable and confident in acquiring art, and to ensure that your collection lives up to your expectations, WorthWhat answers these commonly asked questions about the fine art of collecting. How do I start? The first step is to develop an appreciation of what good art is …
Question I am almost 60 years old. I have a quilt that was made by my paternal grandmother and her mother sometime in the years before I was born (1953). I don’t know how many years – it could have been they did this in the 1930’s or as late as the 1940’s. Would this quilt be considered old? I keep it in a trunk that I have. Is there something special I should do to preserve it? It looks …
Two Philadelphians, J. P. Charlton and H. L. Limpan, came up with a simple but great idea in 1861. Their “Lipman’s Postal Card” had a blank front for writing messages. The back was inscribed with three lines-one with their patent mark, the other two for addressing and stamping. They advertised their product was great for sending rapid correspondence at half the price of paper and envelopes. They claimed their invention would be valuable for travelers, and boasted merchants could use …
The use of elephant ivory can be traced back many centuries. It is a sought after material on par with gold and jade in China and used for decorative as well as religious objects. Ivory carving is one of China’s oldest art forms, examples have been found in Shang dynasty tombs. In ancient times elephants roamed the forests of the yellow river region (Huang He) In the Zhou dynasty (1046 – 256 BC) it was fashionable for high officials to …