Mystery of the Black Feathers
My maiden name is Siegfried and I often see Germanic Sentimentalism mixed with taxidermy. In such blatant ways I find the Germanic culture a bit frightening. J’s objects exemplify Germanic …
Taking a Trip with Mireia Zantop
When TF picked up this work on paper at a charity auction she knew nothing about it. But she loved the octopus. She asked me to find out about the …
Do Your Object Speak to You?
Perhaps the objects in your home speak to you in these troubled times. Maybe they say, “restore me,” “donate me,” or “think of what I mean to you.” Objects remind …
Why Chefs Love Wagner Ware
A good market exists for this rugged cookware from the late 19 and early 20th century, especially for the Griswold, Sidney, and Wagner Ware brands. JE sent me a cast …
White Elephant Stores Hats and Collars
PK sent me photos of a fruitwood carved chest with three drawers towards the bottom and top section of two cabinets with wonderful carved surfaces. The two central drawers are …
Leroy Burket a Fascinating Man
How did a baby born in 1920 in Alton, Iowa, to Eunice and LeRoy, a proud Freemason, grow up to become an abstract painter in Paris? So goes the story …
The Bone of Oliver Cromwell
They found the head of Oliver Cromwell and sent it to Cambridge College, but they never found his body – intact – ever. Where are Oliver Cromwell‘s bones? The 17th …
Falling in Love with Murano Glass
You can buy hundreds of Murano glass clowns, all with bright colors and comical expressions, handmade on the island of Murano, Italy. But they will cost you. Here’s some famous …
History Happy Hour at Home: “No Thanks Mom”
Presented to the Santa Barbara Historical Museum May 21, 2020. I give suggestions on how to document your objects, talk about the importance of the process, and I reflect upon …
Fireplace Screen, Noble or Not?
KO sent me a photo of a fireplace screen he lived with for 65 years. He wants to know who owned it originally. Perhaps the family was noble? The screen …