Midcentury Christmas vs 17th Century Christmas
An expertise in Material Culture sure comes with problems this time of year. My clients expect me to love the holidays, which are centered around STUFF. I enjoy the history …
iMac Like It’s 1999
When ED acquired a gift for grandpa in 1999 the world no longer thought of computers as boring beige plastic boxes. Apple introduced the very first iMac in 1998 in …
Art of the Dream Painting
GH found a wonderful painting at a thrift store and sent me a photo. He’s such a genius, because he thinks it may look like a dream, and indeed it …
Regulator Clock Hidden Danger
Deb asked a question that’s way over my head. Bear with me because the physics of anything are not my strong suit. “My grandmother owned aa famous brand Mercury clock. …
Vintage Fan Started with Ancient History
GK invited me over to look at her vintage fan in perfect condition, a souvenir of an event, perhaps a fair, in the first quarter of the 20th century. But …
Avedon Changed How We See Our Visual World
JC sent me a photo of a BOOK by Richard Avedon. This author illustrated his autobiography with his OWN photography. The book gives a peek into the creative genius of …
Q&A About Art and Antique Auctions Today
What’s the State of Art and Antique Auctions Today? What Are the Key Trends? I received these questions from a reader who said he found NO LUCK in selling locally, …
Lovely Lady’s Inkwell
Before my friend V moved to Casa Dorinda she sent me a picture of an inkwell that’s been in her family since 1896. She wondered about it for years, and …
Fabulous Noble Person’s Trunk
By the coat of arms in double cartouches I know the gent who owned this trunk in the 17th century came from Lyon. The triple fleur de lis and the …
Clay Artists Sewer Connection
C sent me this wonderful figure of a ram. She asked what it is, what they used it for, and who made it. It looks primitive, made of clay, glazed …