A Tisket. A Tasket, Look at the Pretty Brides Baskets.

           

    Collectors sometimes give a new name to an old object. This is the case of the Victorian Brides Baskets. The old glass and silver company catalogs, never listed a,"Brides Basket." They were called berry or fruit bowls. Today they are called." Brides Baskets, as they were very popular as wedding gifts during the Victorian era, 1860-1900.
  Silver plate companies made the frames and bought the glass basket inserts from glass companies, and vice versa. They were married up ,to form what we all know today as a," Brides Basket." Because they were a product of two companies they were rarely marked as to who the maker was. Some times the silver companies would mark the frames, as there was a law ,stating that silver plate had to be marked ,as so. There were a lot of silver companies that made these frames. A few of the more popular ones are: Reed and Barton. Rogers Brothers, Pairpoint,Tufts. Meriden and Britanna. The same goes with the glass companies. Art glass of this period were rarely marked in any form, one has to learn the look to tell the maker. A few of the companies that made the glass baskets are: Crown Milano, Mt.Washington,Peach Blow,Moser, Webb and New England Glass Co.
     The bowls were all hand blown of art glass and usually had crimped or fluted edges. They have hand painted decorations, which was very tricky to do.After there were hand painted they were required to be fired to set the paint. A lot of the glass explodes or slumped with the re- heating. Reguardless of this problem, thousands were made and survived . They have been very popular with antique and art glass collectors for many generations. More often than not, they are found in the parlor of today's homes, even thought they were meant to be used in the dining room. The bowls are found in plain glass as well, but the more sought after are the fancy colored and highly enameled decorations. The highest prices are paid for baskets with unusual forms and rare art glass. A lot of brides Baskets today are not in there original silver frames. To achieve a higher selling price this is important. If the bowl does not fit the frame, slides around, it probably is a marriage.This would not bring as much as if it was the original frame.
   Almost all the silver frames were plate. Most being quadruple plate,which meant there were several layers of silver. The plated is done by  a process that transfers silver on to a base metal, like copper, by electricity. Some frames were made of sterling, but most likely  not, as it was far ro expensive and had to be hand made, where the plate ones could be mass produced from molded parts. A few were made from brass or bronze and some simple ones had pewter frames as well.
    During the 1880's. fancier glass inserts began to appear and the styles available were numerous by the 1890's. American silver and silver plate companies used glass bowls that were made both in America and Europe. The bowls added greatly to the cost and the popularity of the brides basket. A 3 layer quilted satin glass bowl was very labor intense to make, costing much more than a plain ruffled cranberry bowl. The bowls were hand blown by one artist and then turned over to a painter or decorator, which added to the cost of production. Rarely  did a blower of the bowl ,do his or her  own decorating. Most American collectors tend to like the American made bowls best. I usually pay no attention to who made what, and buy what I like and think is beautiful.

I bought this brides basket as I thought the orange color looked good with my french hand blacked wall paper boarder,

     

     
   Like a lot of antiques, the Brides Bowls, are not as popular as they once were. If you gave one today as a wedding gift to a young couple, most of them would say, " what the hell is this?' They would much rather have a Kitchen Aid mixer, that would cost about the same amount of money, as an antique Brides Basket.. Most old time collectors of antiques never settle with just one of any thing. I have three Brides Baskets that I am sharing with you today, but I have friends that have many more. When I was a new collector I was so excited to finally find and be able to afford a Brides Basket. That one is long gone, sold off in one of my many moves, and the ones I have today, are just as pretty and I find them great fun to use as a decorative accessory. The colors are vast and one can choose the color to match the room.
   I hope you enjoy this little lesson today on the so called, Victorian Brides Basket, aka, fruit bowls. Come by, My Old Historic House ,any time for a real tour and see for yourself, my beautiful Brides Baskets.. Remember, I will always leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will always meet you with a jump and a kiss. It has turned a little colder here in rural Missouri. I for one am not ready or excited about the coming winter. But, what is one to do, but ready themselves and get out the warm cloths and blankets. See you next time
 

This basket has the original frame as it has grapes molded in the silver and the bowl has grapes pained on the glass.

Blackamoors: Fabulous or Offensive?

       I would like to start this post , by saying , that I am not a Racist.I hope I do not offend any one. That is  not  my attention. If I do, I would like to say I am sorry, right now.I love Blackamoor sculptures for there beauty, history and decorative appeal. And after all, they are only statues, made long ago and not by my hand.
     Moor's were a type of black Africans that were captured and sold into slavery. Mostly on the European market and very heavily in Italy. They were Muslims and some were even found in Spain. They were often referred to as,"Nubian Slaves."
   Blackamoors have a long history in decorative art and it stretches all the way back to the 17th century. The trend seemed to have started in Italy and especially in Venice. The Moors  were sometimes used to steer the Gondola  boats and this is the earliest pictures we find of them. Statues  of Blackamoors in theses boats are very common.
   I am not sure how politically correct they come off nowadays, still, in design circles their true charm and decorative statements remains alive a well for the next generation. They are considered very, "Park Avenue."(New York.) Blackamoors enjoyed a surge of  popularity during the 20th century and are somewhat popular today. One does not see them that often in the Americans, but more so in Europe. Sometimes these statues can start tongues wagging, much as  a person wearing fur does. I am not sure how they became a  popular design motif, but their history through decorative arts is well documented.
   Blackamoor is a slang word that refers to dark skinned people, not so much today, but in the past.
    Most older Blackamoors were carved out of wood and covered in gesso and polychrome painted Some are made of bronze and other metals, while many are made of ceramic and porcelain. They were designed to  be mostly pedestals to hold candelabra or flowers. Some were tables and wall brackets. Smaller ones were often found as table decorations. There are so many of them in Italy that most people hardly even notice them.
   Blackamoors have been favorite decorative pieces for  antique collectors and interior designers for years. They were first created during the Italian Renaissance and became a favorite in the Victorian era.I have always had a thing for them. I guess the first ones I came across were in the movies. I  love to watch period movies , and to be taken back in time ,and experience the ancient world. I have seen places and things in the movies that I would never have seen other wise. I have had several Blackamoors in my days, as a collector and antique dealer. The first one I bought in an antique shop in Chicago. I paid $2,500.00 for it ,25 years ago and I had to put it in lay -a-way. I have bought and sold several since then. I am always sad when they sell and have to go hunt another right away. I guess I kinda feel, Blackamoor deprived. Sad ain't it. I have one today at, My Old Historic House. I bought her, here in rural Missouri, at an antique mall. I almost did not stop at this place, as I get tired going through all these big endless antique malls with booth after booth of junk and common stuff. I was on the road and needed a bathroom break, so I pulled off and went in. Well I almost wet my self when right inside the front door was my Blackamoor. They knew what it was and kinda what it was worth. I got it for a fair price and a lot less than the first one I  bought. I keep her in the entrance hall where I think she looks real pretty against the red and gray Toile wallpaper. She is one of the first things people see when they come for a tour. I am sure some people are shocked, but they have to realize, that she is just a sculpture.
   I hope you will come by some time to see Ms. Blackamoor and take a tour. I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will always meet you with a jump and a kiss.

A  polychrome painted necklace adorns Ms. Blackamoors neck.

Ms. Blackamoor welcomes guest to, My Old Historic House.

I love her red shoes and pants.

The Base is very Italian, looks like the Tower of Pisa.

WELCOME - Y'ALL !

My nieces, Elizabeth in the white and Linda in the yellow.

     This past weekend was  the Apple Fest Celebration in my hometown, Clarksville,Mo. We have been getting things ready for days. I had, My Old  Historic House, open for tour for two days. It is a lot of work, what with the cleaning, yard work, advertisement and rounding up help. Every thing turned out wonderful, including the weather, it was a beautiful sun filled weekend, in the low 80's.My sister and sister in-law helped out, by  running my gift shop, Richard's Great Stuff. My two beautiful nieces, Linda and Elizabeth, got all dolled up in Ante -Bellum costumes and helped with the tours. My neighbor and dear friend, Marilyn, arrived in a beautiful purple satin ball gown and she was also the hostess with the mostest.We had fun greeting all the wonderful guest as the arrived for a tour. A charter bus load came from as far away as Jeffereson City, Mo. They were delightful. I got on the bus and with the help of a speaker gave them a brief history of the house and then they were allowed to just wonder. My beautiful ladies were there to help answer any questions. Every one was most gracious. Some one commented that they felt like they were on a movie set. Camera flashes were a common thing and all the girls were more than agreeable to pose for their picture.The one question they all asked was, "Who cleans this place?" I always have a dust rag in my hip pocket, pull it out, hand it toward them and say, "Help Yourself." This is always a crowd pleaser. I am serious, but they just laugh.I had the whole house sparking like the  brightest star in the Heavens,polished silver for days.
    To make things a little more hectic, I threw a big party on Saturday even. I served home made chili and some 35 guest came bringing there favorite desert or snack. We had so much food, the people were fun and some ended up on my screen porch and stayed till close to mid-night. My Old Historic House, is a wonderful place to entertain and I like nothing better than having company. What a beautiful, warm, cool night to spend on the porch. It is October in Missouri and we may not have many more chances to party on the porch.

My Historic House.

   I wanted to share some of the fun and excitement with all of you. I feel you are all my friends and some even feel like family.. I had one blogger friend ,travel 2 hours for the tour. Ms. Janice from, Curtains in my trees. She is the sweetest little lady I think I have ever meet. We hit it off and I even gave her lunch on the porch. I my not be a Real  Southerner,  but when it comes to visitors, I can slop on the sugar. And we always have to eat, can't let any one leave with out something to eat. This is how it was in my home when I was growing up.

1845

My dining room table.

The fall foliage is beautiful this year.

   I hope you enjoy the tour today. I wish you could have been her in person, we could still be enjoying that porch and  a big glass of sweet tea. Come any time. I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will always meet you with a jump and a kiss. I almost forgot, Ms. Janice, brought me a wonderful bottle of Missouri wine and a special big basket full of treats for Ms. Sissy Dog. When she called her name, Sissy ran and gave her a big  jump and a  kiss.All these  sweet girls,  what more could a man want?
 

 This bus  is from our state capital, Jefferson City,Mo. It had 45 people. I always welcome bus tours. Plenty of parking. Rent a bus, get a group and come on down to Clarksville.

The Bus tour hostess.

The silver was polished.

Sage and lavender from the garden is arranged among the pumpkins on the dining room table.

Elizabeth helping in the Down River, Gentlemen Parlor.

Elizabeth in the Ladies, Up River Parlor.

Linda in the Ladies Parlor.

My beautiful friend Marilyn on the entrance  stairs.

Marilyn showing a needlepoint face screen.

Three generations. My niece Elizabeth, her daughter Ashton and her daughter, 7 month old, Karah

Me with Janice, from Curtains in my tree- blogger.Be sure and check out her latest post, it is all about, My Old Historic House.

Ms. Janice, ain't she pretty and sweet.

I have 12 pumpkins on this table. "Go big," is my motto.

Sun set on a the Mississippi, ending to another Apple Fest in Clarksville,Mo. See you next year.