I have just loaded a number of vanity or dresser items of antique celluloid, and early plastic. Celluloid was known as the poor man's ivory and had great popularity on both sides of the Atlantic in the late victorian era through edwardian era from 1870-1920. Celluloid was made most often to mimic striations like ivory as well as the color of ivory and was used to make relatively inexpensive items in all sorts of things....toothbrushes, manicure sets, dresser sets, bowls, trays, jewelry, photo albums, collar boxes, etc.

Celluloid was malleable enough to be made into a myriad of shapes and was colored, molded, embossed and further disguised as everything from wood grain, tortoise shell and everything between. Because of it's susceptability to staining, cracking, melting and becoming "sick", a lot didn't survive. But there are many items still available at affordable prices and whole collector societies! Fun items from a bygone era. You can see the collection we have just added on Time Was Antiques at this CELLULOID link in the vanity item category.

Well, at least it's clear today, but after a night down to 20 degress, it has a long way to go to be warm! Hope it's more comfortable where you are....it's the coldest winter here for over 40 years. Go figure....

Wedgwood in bankruptcy

One of our favorite places to visit when we go to England to buy has always been the Wedgwood potteries at Barlaston, near Stoke-on-Trent England. We have loved watching the manufacture of Wedgwood jasperware and dinnerware on the factory tour and lingered long watching the skilled craftsmen making the delicate bone china flowers by hand that decorated specialty pieces. I am heartbroken to see the end of a wonderful tradition of workmanship and art.

Wedgwood, had been acquired several years ago by Royal Doulton, had also been merged with Waterford Crystal and was doing okay...even building and opening in late 2008 a wonderful museum in Barlastan. But the economic crunch meant they couldn't continue.

At the moment, no one is sure what will happen. Will this really be the end of china making in England? The end of beautiful patterns and skills that have taken generations to perfect? We hope not. We'll post if/when we find out anything else.

I have been SUCH a bad blogger!!! I can't believe it...life just happens and another day is gone. BUT plan to do better.

I have just added a fabulous Royal Winton teapot on Time Was Antiques.
The teapot is very different than the chintz patterns people usually think of in conjunction with Royal Winton, and also was made just prior to or very early in Royal Winton's association with Grimwades, an association they are famous for, whom they merged with in 1930.

The unusual teapot (and we also have a tall jug or pitcher in the same pattern) is in a pattern called Imari which was very popular from the late victorian times until about the 1940s. The pattern and colors are taken from the Japaneses patterns of the same name and region. The Imari pattern is rarely seen because relatively few items in the pattern were made, but I LOVE it! Talk about colorfull! What a terrific decorative accent as well as an elegant way to pour out at your next tea party!

Well, today I am busy adding more items from our last English buying trip. I am bound and determined to get them all on in the next month or so, so...back to work!