An Adventure in the Search for Miniature Treasure

"I ransack public libraries, and find them full of sunk treasure." Virginia Woolf

I have recently been ransacking myself.  Not in a library, but rather at the IGMA Show held annually in August in Teaneck NJ.  And not in a search for books but in my constant quest for the best miniatures.  And lo and behold they there were.

But I am not talking about the show exactly - which is in fact a treasure trove of exceptional miniatures crafted by the very best artisans. I am talking about the silent auction that has been held at the show for years and years. The problem was I always ignored it because I could not allow myself to miss the treasures in the show room.  

It was only at last years show that I meandered around the silent auction table and put down a few bids. The thrill of discovering the riches lying there got my heart fluttering. And winning, well, even more thrilling.  And more fluttering. So back I went this year and here are some my fabulous finds.

Dont be jealous. You could have been there too.

Wonderful Wash Tub, obviously artisan make, maker unknown.

Copper cooking pot with stand for fireplace cooking with copper and brass spoon.

Lovely and delicate turned wooden bowl, beautiful

Hand Carved wooden Utensils

Brass moveable Colonial candle stand

Leather covered canteen. Well done!

Look! the cap comes off.

Backgammon Game.

Comes in a beautiful wooden case.

Gorgeous  multi-leveled  sewing box

Sewing box opened. And partially filled with some sewing supplies.

These are all original artisan pieces can't you tell? Totally amazing and gotten for a song. I am perfectly thrilled with myself. The worst part is I missed so many opportunities in the past. I'll just have to console myself with my treasures here and now.  One other thing, the only signed piece here was the cooper cooking pot, signed with an S. So I have no idea who might have made any of this. Such a shame because the makers are lost to history now. (Sign your work!!)

How about you? Find anything awesome unexpectedly? Tell me about it in the comments below.

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Flora Gill Jacobs, Serendipity and A Prepared Mind

Serendipity: Accidentally finding something wonderful while not looking for it.  Adriana Law

One of my first encounters with an expert in collectible dolls' houses and miniatures was Flora Gill Jacobs. I purchased her first book early on in my miniature collecting days, back in the early 80's.  And although her books focus on antique dolls' houses, skimming the book was certainly an education in the history of miniatures.

In fact, I was delighted to discover the existence of a primitive doll house made in the 1700's right here in the Bronx via Flora's book. The house was adorable in the photo so I made my way to the  Van Cortlandt Mansion Museum where the doll house was stored in the house's attic at that time. The guard let me behind the rope to measure the house and see all sides and I recreated the house in miniature. That would never happen today. The house has been moved into the children's room since the trust spruced up the place some time since I saw it. The day I went the place was empty and no one seemed to care much, probably because NYC was in financial trouble. Come to think of it, back then most museums were empty because the city was considered a dangerous one. Now they are mobbed, so I guess I miss those dangerous days.

This is a shot of the house taken from the museum's website video. 

So that was my relationship with Flora. I knew she owned a museum, The Washington Dolls' House and Toy Museum,  dedicated to antique toys, dolls and dolls' houses and unfortunately I never went to visit.  I was not really interested in antique miniatures and had seen plenty here and in the UK.  But of course, I met Flora at miniature shows and purchased one of her children's books for my daughter.

I managed to purchase several lots from the Adell Venus Estate auction (which btw, had one of the van Cortlandt miniature doll houses of mine) and in among the lots I wanted were quite a few antique pieces which I did not want, so on eBay they went. Clueless as to what they were I was shocked at the prices the pieces garnered. Shocked. And happy.

So while everyone was in Chicago at the big miniature show in April this year, I was sitting at my computer or on an iPad watching the Flora Gill Jacobs Auction of her personal collection presented by Noel Barrett. The stuff I recognized as desirable went for out of my budget  prices as I was buying for resale so did not want to overspend.  I knew that those who know were watching that auction and buying. And some affordable lots slipped way because my internet bid did not go through.

Nevertheless, I managed to secure a few lots and will certainly keep a few things since they came out of such an historic collection. Below are some photos of my wins.

Early Kitchen with ceramic and pewter accessories - late 19th early 20th Century

 

Early German Bathroom Set

Cleaning Brush Holder

This is a bin for onions, so says the lettering in German

The above items are from a German tin kitchen possibly made by the Marklin company.
These are much larger than the usual 1:12 scale items we are used to today and I think the kitchens came in a variety of sizes. After awhile the charm of these very old miniatures, made to be playthings start to grow on you. While I will resist with all my might, I would not mind having an antique doll house filled with these captivating miniatures.  I do love antiques because there is so much wonder in imagining who used them and what their lives were like and that certainly applies to dolls' houses.

"In the field of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind." Louis Pasteur.

While luck was not always with me I was aware of those pieces I discovered to be desirable by collectors and did catch a few. While not hysterically profitable, those early porcelain pieces do fairly well possibly because they got lost over time. They are kind of clunky and crude but again, charming.

Below is an actual working oil lamp. Imagine giving that to a child today? You'd be arrested for child endangerment. (And I'll bet not a few doll houses caught on fire.)

Ernst Plank Painted Tin Wash Stand C. 1890

Tobacco Rug - Cigarette Premium c. 1900

 I know those tobacco rugs are very easy to come by but the several I got are the first I have ever handled. They are actually quite nice.

My favorite lot of all is the desk set below. This one is definitely 1:12 scale and reminds me of the set found in Queen Mary's Doll House in Windsor Castle. I know nothing about it except its wonderful and hopefully from that time period. The calendar is not part of the set, but at one time lived its life as a key chain. It works, too.

I would appreciate any information about these items. While Flora wrote extensively about the antique dolls' houses she discovered she left very little information regarding the furnishings and accessories.

The Elephant in The Room

"Nature's great masterpiece, an Elephant; the only harmless great thing." John Donne


I can't begin to tell you how much I love elephants and I can't begin to tell you how often I have loved seeing art made out of ivory. And I'll bet I'm not the only one.

One of my favorite museums, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, has incredible things carved in the most intricate detail out of ivory. Certainly there are collections worldwide. I don't believe any of them have any inclination to rid themselves of their ivory masterpieces. Even though the killing of elephants for ivory is a travesty.  Something that is more in our consciousness now, when in the fairly recent past I think it fair to say we all took ivory for granted and never questioned how it came to be the artifact we so admire.

Ivory Memento Mori  Rosary Circa 1500 - Metropolitan Museum of Art

So what does one do when one loves elephants and owns beautiful things made of ivory?
I don't have an answer. Ivory miniatures and ivory used in making miniatures are centuries old.  And we love them. But the very sad fact remains that today love for ivory is not helping elephants. 


This piece is about ivory miniatures that I want to share here. I wish I could say they were made from the tusks of my pet elephant who passed away in sleep after a very long and happy life. Who lived out on the African plain with family and who came to visit me once a day to be petted. But I can say that the magnificent miniature pipes below came from ivory scraps used in restorations and subsequently sold on eBay. Where the selling of ivory is now banned. 

Enjoy the photos and think about the elephants who gave it.

All these meerschaum pipes are carved by Cliff Feltrope. They came out of the Adell Venus auction and they are breathtaking. Hard to believe they were made by human hands. With help from elephants of course.

Hand Carved Meerschaum Pipe by Cliff Feltrope

 

 

 

 

This meerschaum pipe by Cliff Feltrope has a gold helmet that opens.

The following photos are some other ivory miniatures in my collection. I was told that the tiny netsuke came from mammoth ivory so thought they were OK to buy.  The tiny animals are antiques. The snuff bottles, which have removable tops, were done by Ligia Durstenfeld.

I'd love to hear your thoughts regarding this touchy subject. Please comment below.

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Once more for the Gipper.

"My evil genius Procrastination has whispered me to tarry 'til a more convenient season."  Mary Todd Lincoln

Well, lets just say I won't be winning any blogger awards since I am so bad at it.  It's spring cleaning time again and my plan was to highlight my only dollhouse and contents once I pulled them out for cleaning LAST YEAR.

I decided to just put up the rest of the house to share with you and get it over with.  Like a band aid - just grab it and rip.

  So lets see, where was I ?

Attic Storage Room

This is the attic and it has a separate closure so I don't even see it much. Still an attic is fun.
The crazy doll trying on her wedding gown is by Lyn Trenary. Alligator suitcases are by the Dolls Cobbler. I got the darling mouse eating a book from Franzy at a show, probably Chicago.

The ship captain's trunk came from eBay done by a lady in the UK and the dress form came from the John and Ellen Blauer collection and it is tagged made by Frank Matter - but according to experts its not, although its pretty clever as it moves up and down.  One of these days I'm going to blog about Frank, but I digress...

Second Floor Hallway

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  Second Floor Hallway Miniatures Victorian House

 This is the second floor hallway between the 2  Bedrooms.  The rug is by Classic Carpets, Schnauzer by Kerri Pajutee, chair by Betty Valentine, Plant by Hiroyuko Kimura, Mounted Game by Linda Master, Painting by Paul Saltarelli, Photo Album by Terre Fernandez.

And here is the first floor hallway and the entrance to the house between the kitchen and living room.

 

First floor Hallway Items

Nicely done stairs, don't you think? Those dolls are by Amanda Skinner. The one in front looks just like my daughter when she was little. Plant by Hiroyuko and Kyoko. Umbrella stand by the late Joan Westphal. Rug by Classic Carpets. I think I'll change out that table... And the fruit plates are by Dominique Levy, as well as the painted plates and artichoke plate. I got those in Chicago once when Dominique came to the US and her prices were so very reasonable which is why I have so many.  Can't remember who did the painting but if you have to know, shout out.

 

"I think of myself as something of a connoisseur of procrastination, creative and dogged in my approach to not getting things done" Susan Orlean

 

For years I have debated whether to make the kitchen a kitchen or a dining room. I really don't like to cook, had a fabulous kitchen in my other doll house,   and thought a dining room would be different.  Kitchens are much more interesting.

Here's what I have so far:

 

A painted Chrysonbon Stove. Could use some aging, I think.

And this gorgeous Irish Dresser made for me by Susan Plevan.  Its full of exceptional artisan stuff collected at shows, eBay, Etsy and websites. The bottom cabinets are for keeping chickens which hopefully will come later but I'll just let them wander around the kitchen. If procrastination doesn't kill me I'll show you the finished kitchen one of these days.

Please make me feel better about myself and leave a comment below. Thanks for your patience. XO

Let's Just Say, Before The Year Is Out.

"The creative process is a process of surrender, not control."  Julie Cameron

I give up.  I am never going to be a consistent blogger.  Look how long it has taken me to showcase just one, single doll house.  Nevertheless, here is the continuation of the  process of doing just that.  It has only taken me MONTHS. So, I surrender.

I apologize to anyone who was waiting to see the rest of the house, which by the way, looks like this:

Copied from a real house in Connecticut, built by T. J. Arnick Sr. Built in  1980.

 The house was originally painted white with black roof and shutters.  When I got it (in trade for one of my Noah's Arks) it had been painted shades of green with tinges of nicotine.  And I painted it as above.  Seems like it needs a change again.

I supposed I need a photo of the whole house opened.  The whole front pulls off and the peak that covers the attic pulls down.  The tower roof lifts off and I have not done anything with that room.  There is a train weather vane by Mary Carson in honor of my son who at the time the house came to live with us was mad about trains.  And he wanted it to be a haunted house.  

Anyway, the living room is here. Part of it goes out into the tower as does the bedroom above it.

Grandparents visiting for tea.

Little girl with bear at the tea table.

The grandmother is by Marsha Backstrom as is the little girl with teddy.  The gent is by Susan Wade (whom I have not heard anything of in years.)  The silver tray is by Guglielmo Cini and the decanter set by Frank Whitmore. Lamp by Niglo.  The lustre-ware tea set is by Karen Zorich, one of my very favorite miniature porcelain makers. The dining table and chairs are by Frank Hardcastle.  Grandma holds a cat by Amanda Skinner.

The display cabinet is by Gilbert Mena and it awaits something fabulous to display.  The caladium plant is by Hiroyuki and Kyoko.  Roses by Sandra Wall Rubin. Ruby velvet chair by Barbara Logan.  Bichon Frise by Kerri Pajutee. Tuxedo cat by Liz McInnis.  Floral still life signed by C. Sparrow. Several Bespaq pieces. Rug by Classic Carpets. Tantalus set by Frank Whitmore.  I can't remember who made the green velvet sofa but I know the lady is from the UK. The maker of the white cat is unknown and was a gift from Eileen Godfrey.  I do have a thing for animals and they are everywhere in my miniature settings.

Still have the attic, hallways, kitchen and that tower room. Looks like I can make a career out of blogging this doll house.  if you enjoy it let me know below.

So Now It's 'Autumn Cleaning'

"Aprils have never meant much to me, autumns seem that season of beginning, spring". Truman Capote

I always felt like autumn was the beginning of a new year anyway. 

So the spring cleaning I started in the spring has somehow morphed into autumn cleaning.  Well, nearly autumn.  But when I started writing about my doll house and the spring cleaning of it, I left off with the children's bedroom.  So I continue here with the master bedroom.

While it is the master, children have obviously invaded it.  

I changed the paper in this room and it  has sadly faded.  So I suppose another papering is in order.  This bed is from the same person as the other in the children's bedroom.

The little girl with the doll is by the late Marsha Backstrom. She made wonderful dolls and she is missed.  

Here's a better photo of that bed, the Backstrom doll and a secretary by Beth Berman. The filled sewing stand is made by Susan Harmon.

This desk and chair are made-over Bespaq pieces by Jill Diane.  The roses are by Sandra Wall Rubin.  The stationary box is by Terre Fernandez.  Can't remember now who made the lamp, anyone? The gold compact is by Don Henry and I got it from SP Miniatures

More dolls by Gudrun Kolenda.  Puppy by Kerri Pajutee.  Rug from eBay.

Little girl painting her toes.

This amazing little crocheted doll came in a snake skin suitcase with an entire wardrobe of tiny crocheted clothes.  That's my engagement ring, which I have grown out of.  So it might as well work as a prop. The ensemble is by Helen Davies

The little suitcase with more dolls and a crocheted bear is by Dianne Yunni.  I got that incredible cradle on eBay and the baby is by Sally Brennan, who seems to no longer have a website.

These rosaries are truly 1:12 scale, have all the beads and pile up just like the real thing.  

Here's a better shot of some of the accessories.  The gouache is by Allan Waters after a painting by Mary Cassat.

The doll in chair with her bunny are all made by Jill Diane.

More detail of the Dianne Yunni things, painting by Josephine Meyer

Lamp is by NiGlow, figurine is by Chris Okubo, Book is by Jane Bernier.

Hopefully I will get to the rest of the house before winter.  Where I don't decorate for Christmas anyway.