Saturday, May 16, 2015

Collecting...European Candlesticks


Collecting....One of my fave collectibles is antique French & Italian Candlesticks, Altar Pricketts, Candle holders. I love to use them in every setting...they are wonderful for entertaining, holidays & daily use...they seem to draw me in...I love to see the flickering light bounce off the intricate prickett's base....love to imagine all the moments seen & times the item was used. While candlesticks have been used in some form for thousands of years, most early ones were made for royalty, churches & the wealthy...those are now in museums & are out of reach for most collectors. It was not until the 1700s that candlesticks became more common household items, these are the candle holders that are sought after today. Some collectors refer to candlesticks as "pricketts" because the very early ones had a prickett, a pointed spike,  to hold the candle. I am always on the hunt for the early ones from the mid to late 1800s...I find these are easier to find...I love the carved wood ones that are gilded, worn & show their patina. I also love the intricately designed tall French altar pricketts with porcelain flowers & leaves, these were "country" candle holders used in small chapels & country homes. I just unpacked a few for Rue 27 Maison....sharing with you a few of my faves...Happy hunting to all you collectors :)
Beautiful candle holders from Koektrommel...
Antique French country candle holder...
Antique French candle holders grace this painted chest...
Antique Italian & French silver gilded altar sticks...
New shipment at Rue 27 Maison...
A trio of antique pricketts...
Large pair of carved wood pricketts...
Fabulous patina on this grouping of altar sticks...
Antique pair country French candle holders from Rue 27 Maison

Until next time...Cheers!

Sunday, May 3, 2015

J'adore the color....bleu

Ever since I can remember I have always been drawn to the color blue...the French say bleu...the Italians, blu...the Spanish, azul. The color blue seems to be a fave of many...I read this quote many years ago "Blue is the only color which maintains its own character in all tones"...from Raoul Duffy. Even though there are many shades...the integrity of the color remains. I can remember always going for the blue crayons first when drawing as a child...always wanted my room painted blue & loved my blue keds. Blue seems to be everywhere...the brilliant blue of the sky...in fashion, design, flowers, gemstones, nature...and to me nothing is as beautiful as a bluebird in flight. When I first visited Provence, I fell in love with the blues that seem to be everywhere ...in the architecture, the shutters, doors, gates, all seemed to show off their sun dappled blue...whether it was the golden light in Provence or just years of wear...the color you see there is like no other blue...truly beautiful...cool & warm at the same time. Sharing with you a few faves of mine...the color blue
Sun dappled blues in Provence...
Antique blues from Amy Howard
Blue delphiniums...antique blue fruit box & blue vintage African hand woven fabric at Rue 27 Maison
Antique blues with fabulous patina...
Beautiful & vibrant blues in Provence...
The blues at Rue 27 Maison...
Rare & gorgeous framed antique blue intaglio seals...
Blue & white vintage napkins & ironstone...
Antique blue & white faience..
Beautiful room in blue...
Antique blue Bohemian Cordials from Rue 27 Maison


Until next time....Cheers!