Tag: online catalog

Diva-scovery: Third Floor Antiques

to 10px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/S17mB5RUuiI/AAAAAAAAEHg/ik4n57dH5JY/s400/third+floor+antiques.jpg” border=”0″ />top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>Recently, while discussing European antique shopping tips and trips, I had the opportunity to become acquainted with Janet Schreibman, the proprietress of Third Floor Antiques, and her husband Stephen, who lends a helping hand with her business. Together they travel the globe, buying incredible jewelry in exotic European locales, returning home to America to sell their fab finds both at their online store and at antiques events in New York (look for them at The Pier Shows!), New Jersey, Massachusetts and Maryland. With a jewelry inventory covering Georgian, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and 20th Century, I was utterly intrigued with their ever-changing and varied selection and charmed by their open demeanor and inquisitive nature.

Interview with Third Floor Antiques

Antiques Diva:
Tell me about Third Floor Antiques. How did you get involved in specializing in this particular period of jewelry?

Third Floor Antiques:
My husband and I have been selling antiques for over 25 years. We became involved with Scottish jewelry while shopping an antiques market in London about 23 years ago. I saw a unique brooch with colored stones set in silver. I inquired about the price and was told it was 19th century Scottish and was 180 pounds. This was a great deal of money in those years, especially for silver! I thanked the dealer and left. Later in the day while resting in the hotel, my husband returned and purchased the brooch as a surprise for me. So began our mutual appreciation and passion for antique Scottish jewelry. Like many others, our love of collecting became a business. While my husband is a practicing Medical Oncologist, he still has been able to travel with me and assists me at exhibitions.

Antiques Diva:
What a romantic story! Could you tell Diva Readers what’s special about the period you’re interested in?

Third Floor Antiques:
I love its distinctive designs and naturalistic elements. I appreciate the intricate work fashioned out of materials that have little or no intrinsic value. My husband loves the more artistic pieces and I adore the very traditional designs.

Antiques Diva:
I know there are so many to choose from that it might be difficult to answer this question, but do you have a favorite piece in your collection?

Third Floor Antiques:
One of my favorite items in our inventory is #754380 stock #2189. It is a Scottish agate penannular brooch of exceptional size and choice of colors. The use of penannulars and fibulas to secure cloaks has been used for centuries. In this example the Scottish designers made the “look” sleek, modern and yet decidedly Scottish.
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Antiques Diva:
I’m swooning… it’s so modern and amazing that this piece dates back to the 1880’s. I love the description on the website explaining how it was made to adorn tartans. The (following) description of it on your online catalog really transports me to another time and place:

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Queen Victoria’s love of Balmoral Castle, and the traditions of its people was equally matched by the enthusiasm of the populace. If the Queen wore Scottish jewelry, so did the people. Thus this industry grew and some wonderful pieces of jewelry were created. This penannular is not only grand in stature, but in its fine execution.


Antiques Diva:
How do you see this broach being worn today?

Third Floor Antiques:
It is easily used on sweaters, coats or better yet, on a paisley scarf. While wearing it – wherever you are – you can imagine the heather and the Scottish mist.

Antiques Diva:
Any other favorites you care to share with Diva Readers?

Third Floor Antiques:
The other period of design that we love is the Georgian period. The jewelry is handmade, scarce and so very beautiful. We are currently offering a tore.html#item” target=”_blank”>wonderful pair of Georgian garnet pansy earrings – I have had Georgian earrings of this design only once before, as finding long Georgian earrings seem to be getting all the more difficult. The earrings are light on the ear and suitable for day or evening wear. The cascading leaves terminate with a pansy and all four sections articulate. The pansy was a popular flower used to symbolize remembrance. Given as love tokens, these are as wonderful and sentimental today, as they were two hundred years.

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Georgian Garnet Pansy Earrings
Antiques Diva:
Perfect for valentine’s day! (note to my darling husband, wink, wink, nudge, nudge)!

Third Floor Antiques:
Valentines is indeed just around the corner! Another of my favorites is a pair of tore.html#item” target=”_blank”>very rare Georgian chalcedony earrings.

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Very rare Georgian chalcedony earrings
Both are exceptionally lovely and rare in form.

Antiques Diva:
Have you noticed trends in jewelry in terms of what the public wants?

Third Floor Antiques:
Movies such as “Queen Victoria, The Early Years” have increased public demand and awareness. Several new books on Scottish and Georgian jewelry are also available for researching these areas.

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Janet, it’s been a pleasure getting to know you and your business! I’ll look forward to finding you at the next Pier Show! Any last thoughts before we go?

Third Floor Antiques:
Thanks so much for the opportunity to be on the Antiques Diva blog! My husband and I have travelled abroad several times a year in search of these fast disappearing treasures. We are fortunate to share the passion and the pleasure of meeting hundreds of dealers and having unique experiences. We hold these treasures and then entrust them to other loving hands.

Antiques Diva:
Thanks Third Floor Antiques for being a special Antiques Diva blog guest – Janet, you are The Diva of the Day!
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Until Next Time,
The Antiques Diva™