The earliest example of Japanese woodblock printing dates to the 8th century when Empress Koken commissioned one million small wooden pagodas with Buddhist text to be made and distributed freely among believers in temples all over the country. It wasn’t until the late 16th century that the first secular woodblock prints started to appear, and […]
The most prestigious antiques event of year, the 58th annual Winter Antiques Show is exhibiting at the Park Avenue Armory through January 29th. As all avid art and antiques collectors, curators, dealers and general lovers know, the show is a cornucopia of riches. All that is unusual, beautiful, and interesting will be on view for […]
Founded in Sheffield, England by Jonathan Mappin in 1774, Mappin & Webb has grown into one of the world’s leading retailers of fine jewellery and silverware. Originally opened as a small silversmith workshop, Jonathan Mappin’s business quickly outstripped its humble origins. By 1858 when John Newton Mappin asked his brother-in-law, George Webb, to join him […]
The New York Ceramics Fair will be held tomorrow, January, 17, at its new location, the Grand Ballroom of the Bohemian National Hall, on East 73rd Street between 1st & 2nd Avenues. The New York Ceramics Fair brings together a select and distinguished international group of approximately 36 galleries, including galleries from the Manhattan Art […]
The largest collection of artifacts salvaged from the ill-fated RMS Titanic is set for auction at in New York City on the 100th anniversary of the disastrous shipwreck. Over 5,000 items including fine china, personal items and actual pieces of the ship form the collection, which is valued at approximately $189 million. The auction will […]
“Roots of fastening,” or netsuke, production originated in the Edo period (17th century), Japan. As traditional Japanese robes had no pockets, personal belongings were placed in containers (sagemono) and hung from cords (obi) from the robe’s sashes, which were secured at the top of the sash by the miniature sculptures known as netsuke. Carvings were […]
One of the most anticipated arts and cultural events in New York City, the Armory Show is taking place this year on March 8-11 at Piers 92 & 94. Now in its fourteenth year, the Armory Show is determined to reestablish itself as the venue for innovative contemporary art. In light of this aim, the […]
The New York Times reports on the intriguing histories of the most unusual treasures found, displayed and auctioned in 2011. The above tinytype of infamous outlaw Billy the Kid is the only image of him known to exist and it sold for $2.3 million in a Denver auction this past June. “The Kid” most likely […]
By the end of the 5th century, Greek colonies had spread far and wide throughout Southern Italy and Sicily, an area which came to be known as Magna Graecia, and local production of Greek-inspired pottery had already begun. In Apulia, the leading center of South Italian vase painting, artists applied red-figure technique so closely that […]
A perfect last-minute holiday gift for the antiques and history buff in your life, Christmas at Historic Houses by Patricia Hart McMillan and Katharine Kaye McMillan is a spirited illustrated guide to 30 noteworthy historic houses across the United States and in England dressed in their holiday best. Ranging from two castles, one palace, mansions […]