50 Best Blogs for the Avid Antiquer
top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>If you enjoy my blog, then you need to know about this great list of “tography-colleges.org/50-best-blogs-for-the-avid-antiquer/”>50 Best Blogs for the Avid Antiquer” In addition to featuring The Antiques Diva™ blog, the list includes some of my favorite sources including The Elegant Thrifter and Pamela’s Antiques Blog. The list starts out with an explanation, “Whether you’re hunting for a killer mid-century lamp, Victorian knick knacks or old photographs, antiquing can be a fun and often inexpensive way to build a collection and spend an afternoon. For those looking to do a little research before they head out, blogs can be a great resource for learning about new ways to use items, what’s valuable and what’s not and discover the tricks the pros use. Here are 50 blogs to help you build your antiquing knowledge.”
Check out “tography-colleges.org/50-best-blogs-for-the-avid-antiquer/”>50 Best Blogs for the Avid Antiquer”!
Happy Reading,
The Antiques Diva™
Guest Blog: Souvenirs de la Reine: Shopping for Blue Onion Pottery in Berlin
to 10px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/TChV4kQRPHI/AAAAAAAAE7w/Pee5tNbHvmY/s400/blue2.jpg” border=”0″ />So it’s no surprise that many of my antiques are blue. The white shelves surrounding my fireplace are carefully arranged with my blue travel treasures:
- blue and white tulip vase from Delft, Holland
- cobalt blue vase studded with silver I found in a souk in Marrakesh
- petite blue oil painting of Paris
- blue and cream Dutch KLM house found in an antiques shop in Amsterdam
- blue swirl glass bowl from Kosta Boda I found at their outlet store in Sweden
- pale blue Limoges oyster plate I found in Savannah
- dark blue fleur de lys on white platter from Madrid
- blue and white taper candles from France
- cobalt blue and white cake plate from Royal Copenhagen I found in Copenhagen
to 10px; WIDTH: 302px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/TChV5U5PW8I/AAAAAAAAE8A/33YhuR8DHe0/s400/blue+3.jpg” border=”0″ />Are you seeing a pattern? So on a recent visit to The Antiques Diva in Berlin, I had a mission: a piece of my favorite German Blue Onion Zwiebelmuster pottery. I have pieces in both the German Meissen pattern and the Czech pattern, I’m all inclusive!
And not only did I want Zwiebelmuster, I wanted antique. And more specifically, I wanted a lidless Zwiebelmuster crock to put on my stove and hold cooking utensils. The Antiques Diva was on the case! Our first stop (after Starbucks for my daily addiction of a Tall Skim Chai Latte, extra hot bitte) was the Berliner Antik und Flohmarkt. And as we wandered the stalls, the Diva introduced me to a vendor specializing in blue & white. It was love at first site. And as I browsed the crowded shop, I found my newest treasure:
to 10px; WIDTH: 322px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 243px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/TChV5BVDleI/AAAAAAAAE74/zHPXAJimRjU/s400/blue4.jpg” border=”0″ />If you look at the two crocks I’m holding, you can see they both say the word cocoa in German: Cacao. and Kakao. As I had only seen cocoa spelled with a “k” auf Deutsch, we were treated to a little history of German grammar lesson by the proprietor. Herr explained, “In the early 1900s, the German government implemented the Deutsch Rightig Sprechen und Schreiben. These new grammar laws standardized the spelling, pronunciation and punctuation of the German language throughout the country. As a result,Cacao. became Kakao.”
Who knew?to 10px; WIDTH: 302px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/TChV5hQQLrI/AAAAAAAAE8I/UE3NA9O2ZvQ/s400/Picture1.jpg” border=”0″ />If you, too, love the Blue Onion pattern, you may be interested to know:
- it’s not an onion at all, in fact it’s a pomegranate!
- this pattern was copied by Meissen from Asian pottery in the mid-18th century, and soon copied by other pottery manufacturers, most famously Czech factories, who produced a much more affordable version
- Meissen Zwiebelmuster is treasured by traditional German housewives. In fact, when I travel Germany visiting my many family members, I’m always served kuchen und kaffee on their treasured Zwiebelmuster
- Blue Onion is readily available in the US online at ebay or Replacements
La Reine’s Shopping Tip:
You can find your own blue “Treasures” by The Antiques Diva by shopping her new online brocante. Recent blue treasures include vintage Delft pottery, tiles, and vases.
Happy Shopping!
La Reine
PS. Enjoyed today’s post? You can read more a La Reine’s great blogs at She’s Shopping Now!
Treasures on Tuesday: Delft Blue Vintage Ginger Jar
to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 361px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/S7xqNJtPc4I/AAAAAAAAEiM/McLOjlWoAzY/s400/deflt+blue+ginger+jar+without+lid+%24179.png” border=”0″ />Direct from Holland, The Antiques Diva™ has found another great Vintage Delft Blue Ginger Jar with charming bird motif is in excellent condition, marked and dated 1950. Perfect stand alone or as part of a collection of blue & white accessories! Item #102.
Measurements: 28 X 19cm or 11 X 7 1/2 in
$200 (147 Euro) includes international shipping
Diva-scovery: Neeltje Twiss
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to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/S3Qh0RnMR5I/AAAAAAAAEOI/MnhEJPqOoB8/s400/neeltjetwiss13.jpg” border=”0″ />But Neeltje Twiss in The Hague is such a find that I just can’t help myself but to tell you all about her! In fact, really I feel I owe it to my readers to give a mighty drum-roll and announce this Diva-scovery with fanfare!
to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/S3QhsyY_COI/AAAAAAAAENg/gmY5dn6fuCE/s400/neeltjetwiss8.jpg” border=”0″ />Who:
Neeltje Twiss Arts, Antiques and Interiors
Where:
Denneweg 10
Den Haag
2514CG Nederland.
Phone: +31(0)70 3467768
Judith Miller (of the Miller Antique series fame) highlights Neeltje Twiss Antiques when she writes about The Hague saying , “This family-run business specializes in modern antiques. They also have furniture from the 18th C and earlier stylish objects d’art from the 1920’s.”
The first time I met Patricia Twiss in the shop Neeltje Twiss, she was artfully creating a display in the back room. As my friends and I wandered into her shop from a rainy day, she greeted us with a warm smile, “Get inside out from that rain!” She waved her arms around, indicating a few of the items in the store , “We’re rearranging the story today, but look what we’ve done in the back!” and with that she swept us into store to admire a gorgeous display. She greeted us with such warmth and personality that I knew I wanted to give this woman business – because The Antiques Diva’s first and foremost rule in shopping is to only support vendors I like! Of course, then I saw the inventory and was thrilled that she was so nice because her inventory was so gorgeous I might have had to break my rule otherwise!
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to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 345px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/S3Qhz24Ic_I/AAAAAAAAEN4/XEL1LmITv4w/s400/neeltjetwiss11.jpg” border=”0″ />
to 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/S3Qhk183IoI/AAAAAAAAEM4/55q5JDSv4Zk/s400/neeltje+twiss6.jpg” border=”0″ />These gorgeous displays are only one of the reasons I’m sending you chez elle – in fact, duplicate that sentence, because one visit to Neeltje Twiss Arts, Antiques & Interiors will not be enough. Each time you visit, the inventory is rearranged in inventive ways with seasonal displays, unique pairings that excite the eye.
to 10px; WIDTH: 296px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/S3Qh0HLuPKI/AAAAAAAAEOA/kko2JT1NnlQ/s400/neeltjetwiss12.jpg” border=”0″ />
to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/S3Qh0utM8JI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/h2c2VBLBjHI/s400/neeltjetwiss14.jpg” border=”0″ />Of course, then there is the inventory itself. The eponymously named shop takes on the style of “THE” Neeltje Twiss, who travels, buying inventory that is downright divine. Sometimes these are simple pieces, other times they are pieces with shine. Regardless of the patina, we’re talking about pieces that would look perfect in almost any home – pieces that would be a focal point, causing everyone to pause and ask, “Wherever did you find that? It’s amazing!”
And if you’re like me, you’ll roll out the drums and banners – and say with fanfare,
“I got it at Neeltje Twiss Art, Antiques & Interiors in The Hague!”
Amsterdam – Brederode Secret Antiques Sale
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Annette Brederode’s “Open Door” sale will take place Dec 12 -14, 2008.
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Where:
The sale takes place on the 3rd floor of an inconspicuous apartment building just off the Lijnbaansgracht (at #56D) around the corner from the Westerstraat.
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What:
Antiques, Home Furnishings, and Garden Décor abound in beautiful tableaus.
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Special Antiques Diva Discount:
Make sure you mention that The Antiques Diva™ sent you and save 10 % automatically!
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Happy Shopping!!
~The Antiques Diva
