It might have been teeming down with rain on Tuesday in Battersea, but that wasn't going to dampen my spirits. Arty L and I were meeting again at another antiques fair and by some magic means she was able to get us free tickets.
As a pair we both derive enormous enjoyment from just looking at antiques...thankfully these pieces are so beyond both our budgets that buying isn't even on the radar so we can look guilt free. The stall holders were extremely generous in allowing me to photograph their stock when I asked for their permission.
One can but dream.....
Regency Austrian Ladies Gaming box and contents.
French nodding elephant
Wind up bear.
Painted and studded leather box.
This one I commented looked like a scarab beetle. The vendor laughed and said that it was indeed a scarab footwarmer.
Wurlitzer in stunning condition.
Arilx
As a pair we both derive enormous enjoyment from just looking at antiques...thankfully these pieces are so beyond both our budgets that buying isn't even on the radar so we can look guilt free. The stall holders were extremely generous in allowing me to photograph their stock when I asked for their permission.
One can but dream.....
Regency Austrian Ladies Gaming box and contents.
Painted and studded leather box.
This one I commented looked like a scarab beetle. The vendor laughed and said that it was indeed a scarab footwarmer.
Wurlitzer in stunning condition.
This shoe was absolutely enormous. Some type of advertising gimmick perhaps. Sadly I shall never discover the back story.
As it was to be expected not everything was to my personal taste. I took a photo of this French crystal galleon because, although I wouldn't choose to give it house room, I've never seen anything remotely like it before.
To finish with...this is one of a pair of Elizabethan corbels. Anyone who's been reading this blog for any amount of time will know that this was always going to tick the boxes. Probably it was a good thing that I didn't have £1200 about my person otherwise they might have come home on the train with me. I shall have to content myself with a photo and the memory of them instead.
Arilx
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Those corbels are fantastic. What size were they.
ReplyDeleteAbout 18 inches. I loved them.
DeleteArilx
That corbel is indeed curious: male and female with a look of a Sheena na Gog as well. Was the other of the pair identical?
ReplyDeleteYes. They were described as satyrs. I've seen similar things on old buildings in Canterbury and Ludlow.
DeleteArilx
There is a simple pleasure in looking at things that are well beyond even a splurge budget. I don't really covet needing expensive things, but I can appreciate the uniqueness, the beauty, the history, or the uniqueness of said items.
ReplyDeleteThere were many things I would have loved to own, but with things like textiles you need to be able to care for them properly to preserve them. Arilx
DeleteA thing of beauty is a joy forever but sometimes it’s better to enjoy just looking and forego ownership. That corbel would be lovely to have, though, wouldn’t it? What a great figure. Though I’d be nearly as happy with a modern copy.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a copy too. Arilx
DeleteWhat a marvellous day out! x
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to catch up with a dear friend again too.
DeleteArilx