Sleeping with the Aesthetics
Sleeping in this bed, which R.S. sends from San Francisco, could have been Oscar Wilde, Max Beerbohm or Aubrey Beardsley. They would have dreamed in late 19th C. of artistic …
‘Bo Peep’ and her sheep on silver-plated tumbler
R.P. likes garage sales, he writes, and 20 years ago found this “Bo Peep”-themed silverplated tumbler. The vessel bears the inscription “Robert 1888.” The tale of a shepherdess losing her …
Japanese Kimono
K.F. owns a black crepe kimono inherited from a friend whose dad collected it in Japan for his wife in 1930. The only identifying mark is a white embroidered circular …
Gauging the value of an American Flyer train set
G.C. of the Santa Barbara shop Random has a toy train set by A. C. Gilbert Co. In the world of objects, each “thing” is a unique idea; an object …
Victorian Oil Lamps
L.T. from Santa Barbara sent me these two – a matching pair – of paraffin oil lamps, dating to – what I suggest – may be 1880. I can date …
Dear ‘805,’ that stamp may very well be worth something
“805” has an antique leather postcard, featuring a 1 cent stamp, postmarked by offices in Palo Alto and Dixon, Ill. The address simply reads “Ms. Sisquella Crosby, Dixon, Ill.” If …
Two Elegant Northwest Native American Baskets
M. L. from Santa Barbara mailed me two pictures of two baskets: a lidded one, which she believes was crafted by the Native Americans of the Northwest, according to family …
Bespoke china, bespoken no more
E.W. has a beautiful small set of Minton china. Each plate is hand-painted with a different leaf design. She has six cups and saucers, one cake plate, and two small …
Living the high life
T.O. of Ojai has a Chinese opium bed featuring giltwood and polychrome panels, with carved dragons, phoenixes and flowers, as well as a carved support, all surmounted by a canopy …
Have a seat: This dining set has legs in the collectors’ world
P.M. has a dining table with 14 chairs that her brother in Santa Barbara suggests is from a historic Montecito estate. The date under the chairs is “1930” along with …