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Chinese art, with varieties as expansive as its history is long, is among both the most daunting and rewarding of categories to begin collecting. As China becomes a more powerful force in the world, more and more people have become interested in Chinese antiques,” says John Schofield, head of the Asian Arts Department at Eldred’s. “In
Produced with a dedicated level of craftsmanship, these complicated instruments were often highly decorated to ensure their scientific insight was matched by their delicate beauty. Sold for £37,800 via Christie’s (July 2023). An Early English Five-Draw Telescope. Sold for £8,125 via Christie’s (October 2009).
Sold for $85,618,000HKD via Sotheby’s (October 2023). The exceptionally varied artistic production of this golden age of Chinese culture, from ceramics to painting and calligraphy can be separated between the two dynasties that share distinct characteristics and artistic achievements that evolved Chinese cultural heritage.
Vintage and antique café au lait bowls are valuable, especially those in good condition. Artistic bowls typically fetch more, like this antique Henriot Quimper mug and saucer , which were sold for $58 in 2023. She noted that many pieces come in an array of patterns stenciled in primary colors in a bold art deco style.
Instantly alluring with its quirky, hand-painted style, Wemyss Ware put Scotland firmly on the map as masters of naturalistic pottery. The iconic line of ceramics – envisioned by a pottery owner and decorator in 1882 – counts Elton John as a fan, with the Queen Mother also said to have been a collecting devotee.
From the grandeur of the Renaissance to the flowing, organic lines of Art Nouveau of the early 20 th century, European architecture has not only witnessed the evolution of styles, techniques, and cultural influences in mansions and palaces across the continent, but also shaped approaches to town planning that are still evident today.
To hold their kimonos in place and be able to tote essential items, men hung decorative inro (small cases) that were suspended from their kimonos’ waist sashes. The two-gallon crock is decorated with a horse in cobalt blue and is salt-glazed, one of the hallmarks of antique stoneware. Eldred’s, estimate: $4,000-$6,000.
The vast American folk art tradition offers authentic, innovative, and captivating creations whose reach spans generations and modes of creative expression. Despite this diversity, American folk art does share some core characteristics: Hand-Craftsmanship American folk art typically incorporates materials that can be wrought by hand.
The vast American folk art tradition offers authentic, innovative, and captivating creations whose reach spans generations and modes of creative expression. Despite this diversity, American folk art does share some core characteristics: Hand-Craftsmanship American folk art typically incorporates materials that can be wrought by hand.
Sold for £1,500 GBP via Sworders (June 2023). Antique Mizpah Brooch. Sold for $35 AUD via Albion Antique Auction Centre (March 2024). Antique Carved Jet Mourning Jewelry. Sold for $30 USD via Old Kinderhook Auction Company (December 2023). Auctioneers (May 2023). Sold for $700 USD via Toomey & Co.
This gold pill box features a colorful floral decoration in blue, red, green, and gold enamel, and it is embellished with diamonds. Though their purpose was to carry medications and not to serve as typical decorative objects, Victorians did pill boxes up big. Antique snuff boxes tend to be a bit bigger and are more expensive.
We rarely notice them, yet they shape how we see the art they enclose. A gilded flourish can elevate a painting to grandeur; a sharp border can sharpen modernist angles. Frames are the unsung storytellers of the art world – silent yet essential. Evans & Associates (September 2023).
This Dunhill lighter bears a quintessential and beautiful hand-painted aquarium design. Smoking may be largely out of fashion today, but the demand for antique and vintage ashtrays, cigarette cases, pipes, and other related collectibles remains red hot. It sold in December 2024 for $4,000.
Devoting silverware solely to serving one vegetable is not surprising when you consider that during those eras and through the early 20th century, the wealthy elevated dining to a highly ritualized art form. in the desired Olympian pattern, sold for $1,600 in 2023. This cradle sold at auction in May 2025 for $272.50.
These hand-painted flask-shaped vases are known as baoyue ping, which translates to embracing the moon. Collectors enthusiastically embrace these vases today as beautiful decorative objects and for their historical significance. Moon flasks were also a favorite shape at Mintons Art Pottery Studio in London.
On the flip side, those small hand tools like needle-nose pliers often come in handy around the house and in my work as an antique dealer. We have antique wooden planes to the moon and back, each lovingly seasoned by the fine working hands of old grandpas and uncles. ERLANDSEN NYC miter plane sold for $1500 in 2023.
Predominantly applied to architecture, its influence spread to interior design and painting, taking its cues from the forms and patterns used in the late medieval period. This infusion of medievalism in the decorativearts was originally an architectural style from around the 1740s, before finding widespread popularity in the 19th century.
A 1940 animators maquette of Ben Ali Gator from the “Dance of the Hours” sequence sold for almost 10K in 2023. In addition to these three-dimensional figures, collectors love Fantasia production cels, concept paintings, and original artwork. Amy Moyer is the proprietor of Antmuffin: Art, Antiques & Collectibles.
If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful William Morris, 1880 And they did this by focusing on producing beautiful art devoid of any other meaning. Sold for$126,000 via Christie’s (June 2023). Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
During Womens History Month, the spotlight often shines on female artists and their profound impact on the art world. While their contributions are invaluable, wed like to shift the focus to other influential women who have shaped art history in remarkable waysfrom patrons and intellects, to even a spy.
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