Wedgwood China Making a Come Back
Back in the 1980s FG knew the private secretary for the late dancer/actress Cyd Charisse. FG bought, from the secretary, Ms. Charisse’s twelve piece Wedgwood “Charnwood” pattern bone china dinner …
One’s Porcelain, One’s Not
Diana sent me a figurine named “Ereolita,” early 20th century Capodimonte porcelain in the classical style by Giuseppe Gricci. In the mid-1700s King Charles VII of Naples, an independent kingdom …
Photography Book a Piece of Art History
JF found an old photography book, published in 1952, Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Decisive Moment. He liked the design of the cover by Matisse. He found a piece of art history. …
Plan While You Can: Strategize Your Personal Property in Estate Planning
Suggestions from my talk with Denise Stevens, presented by Development Office, Legacy Giving, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History 3.30.2021. Few families and individuals escape making decisions about passing on …
Ever hear of Capriccio Painting?
Bet you never knew about Capriccio paintings, employed when 16 -19th century painters were commissioned to portray architecture. They deliberately depict great architecture often in crumbling ruins in a complete …
Rustic Old Hickory Furniture with a History
Mary Kay sent me photos of a rustic looking hickory rocker and armchair finished with hickory rushed seats and backs, and a round low table. On the underside we see …
Weddige Lithography Not Really Midcentury Modern
TY owns a lovely Weddige lithograph of two young nymphs. The dark haired one holds a large shell over the head of the blonde, who offers her mate a smaller …
Objects Amusing me These Days
My favorite objects? What in my tiny condo keeps me amused during the Pandemic? And why? Is it beauty, functionality, or symbolism? The first object is a 18th century tea …
Train Tracks Led to Mystery
One crisp January day during the Pandemic JF hiked up by Lake Arrowhead, near some defunct train tracks, and found this steel plate. He lugged it in his backpack the …
This Toy bank’s No Jack Ass
Sally of Santa Barbara wrote on behalf of her mom, who owns a cast-iron donkey toy bank used in Franklin D. Roosevelt‘s “Dimes for Dems” campaign. Sally, this bank is …