Mortar and Pestle: An Ancient Tool Re-emerges
IC sent this photo of a very heavy, 9″ diameter stone mortar and pestle. I find it difficult to ascertain the age of this beauty. Mortar and pestles go back, …
Antique Pitchers Live to Tell Stories for New Generation
MM grew up with two identical German antique milk pitchers representing twin sentimental looking lions. She got a brilliant idea and plans to give them to her great-great nephews, who …
The Value of Fine Antique Furniture in America
Imagine me driving through a beautiful wrought iron gate in Montecito. I enter a grand house filled with fine antique furniture, loved for 40 years. Get ready, I think, because …
Vintage Clothing and What to Do With It
RB, a loyal reader from Santa Barbara, sent me a photo of a wonderful silk blouse she made in the 1950’s. It won her a prize in Home Ec. A …
WOW – A World War I Patriotic French Poster in Good Shape
CS sends me an image of a French advertising poster originally drawn by the under-appreciated Symbolist artist Lucien Levy-Dhurmer. CS’s family apocrypha claims this dates to the early 1900’s. He …
Capodimonte Porcelain Urns Reminiscent Liberace’s Taste
LH inherited two porcelain urns she displays in her home in Paso Robles. She asked me if they are ‘good’ Capodimonte. I answered, that they’re not the top of their …
Weird Book Related Objects: The “End”
D from up-state sends me a pair of American bookends in frosted glass with a turquoise blue bust of a woman, her hair as a bouquet of flowers. I put …
Van Briggle Pottery Tells Many Tales
I confess that I LOVE this pottery piece. My partner John’s father collected this maker, Van Briggle Studios, founded by the husband and wife team, Aratus and Anne Van Briggle. …
Don’t Fear the Ghost in Your Piano
People often ask me to appraise their piano. Since with great pleasure I do this for the Music Academy of the West, I’ll discuss the value of a reader’s piano. …
The Most Horrible Collectible
SG from Rancho Cucamonga sent me two doll photographs. I thought this a joke from my best friend Eli, who trained as a psychiatrist and knows about my rare phobia …