Wednesday, September 19, 2012

ANTIQUE Victorian Oil Paintings on Paper Mache Flue Covers~

 
I love old antique Victorian paper mache paintings! Most were done on flue covers, and some were in the shape of flue covers, but larger and were more of a decorative accent back in the mid to late 1800's to very early 1900's time frame. People used to have a flue hole in their wall from a stove or heating system, and then when Summer came around they wanted to cover the ugly hole in the wall and put something over it. Most of the time it was a glass round picture or tin plate , or even a piece of wood. But every now and then you see a beautiful piece of art that was originally a flue cover. I have some for sale in my eBay store, I will show you a few. The large one above of spider mums and regular chrysanthemums, a whooping 17 3/4ths ins., is handpainted in oils and dated on the back 1880.
 
This one is a Hudson River school style with cows/cattle enjoying a river. It is the more typical size at 10 ins.Mid to late 1800's time frame.
 
 
Here is a precious little boy, in the snow, definite Victorian time frame, larger than most at 14 ins., and dated 1880 on the back. Close up of his face...
See how well done these are?
Here is one about 8 1/4 ins., mid to late 1800's forlorn romantic woman looking out to sea, clams or seashells on her back in the basket.
 
Another larger one at 15 ins. in diameter, a gorgeous Victorian hollyhocks painting on paper mache.
Here is one of my very favorite, a wonderful expertly painted oil on a little Victorian girl carrying wood.
 
The detail is superb. It is dated 1884, and is 10 ins.
if you collect these, know that since they are paper mache, they are very delicate, and will have evident edge wear and some minor chips to the surface. I would advise to buy then if you like them, but not if they have large broken pieces out of them or are reglued in multiple places. They are perfect for Victorian interiors and definitely add an authentic artistic element to an 1800's decor.  Many have old hangers on the back, but alot of buyers purchase easels to place them on.
You can find these paper mache paintings( if they have not sold), here.I have sold many of these over the years, and enjoy finding them to be able to sell them to Victorian art lovers.
take care everyone,
Gina


Saturday, September 8, 2012

Who SHOULD You BE?

Outside of Gibbes Museum Of Art In Charleston this August, it was 94 degrees and 89 % humidity
 
 I have been feeling very much NOT what God expects of me, asks for me to be...
 
You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter3:4
 
And to try to illustrate how I feel, I will show you first the actress that I believe God wants women( me) to be like..
Olivia deHavilland as Mellie in Gone withThe Wind
 
Her character was so sweet, self-sacrificing , kind and calm , and soft-spoken. Not me , well maybe kind but that's it, not calm or soft-spoken. I am more like this actress.....
Maureen O'Hara in McClintock , even though I don't go around screaming really, but I am very opinionated and a tad bossy.
Also...
 Maureen  in Parent Trap w/ Brian Keith , but I don't punch anyone...
or The Quiet man w/ John Wayne. I love watching Maureen O'Hara. I can relate to her. But again, feel that I should be more like sweet Mellie.
 

How on earth can God make such vastly different temperaments and personalities, and expect us to be like Mellie all the time? I feel like Scarlett feels below, about someone like Mellie.
I have run into many sweet, calm women lately. I think only if I was heavily sedated could I be that calm.
So what is God going to do with me? How have you become calm, if you are a calm person? Any tips? Don't tell me to pray, as I have been doing that, for a few decades.
Tell me who you relate to in the movies or a movie or book, that you feel just like inside or wish you were like too.
 
Have a nice evening,
Gina
 
 
 


Monday, September 3, 2012

Went To METROLINA Antique Show ~



My youngest son and I, went to the big antique show at Metrolina in Charlotte, NC this past weekend. I was hoping to show lots of pictures of antiques, but the show ended up being about 1/10th of what it used to be like( or less), so I only have a few pictures of our day. He was in charge of taking most pictures, and forgot most of the time. But when he remembered, I'll show you our day.
Here is the opening sign where we paid to get it. I think it was 5.00  dollars for me, he was free as he was under 12 years old ( yeah!).
It was sweltering , and I mean sweltering outside. We got there late, around 11 AM, and it was already 94 degrees and 80 % humidity.
First exciting thing we saw was this snazzy 1950-60's red automobile. I grabbed the camera and took his picture by it.
I asked how much this 1960's light pink radio was, and they told me 45.00, which was too much for me for resale. Passed.
Then we walked around some more in the blazing sun and heat, and did not see much. Vendors were hot, shoppers were hot, a miserable day once it got to be around noon.
Lots of containers with costume jewelry to rifle through, but not me, I was looking for vintage or antique paintings or some other antique or vintage decorative objects.
Blue mason jars, old soda bottles lined up neatly. Hardly anything outside( they also sell inside buildings), of any higher quality antiques this time. Bummer.
I was wearing my handy small backpack, but forgot my water bottle. Everyone needs to remember their water bottles, their cash, check book, credit cards, driver's license , measuring tape, notepad, and a pen. I also have brought a small magnifying glass, but forgot it that day.
 
As you can see, my photographer liked being photographed by ' cool' things. Knight in shining armor was $225.00. Pass. I kept the boy in blue though.
Old vintage 1930-40's garden chairs. I think the rust was free with the chair's price.
More great vintage metal lawn/garden chairs and glider. He has some hot wheels cars in that bag by the way.
 
They do have some outside covered booths, and I did see a few neat things, but not anything spectacular. We were both getting very hot, and a bit testy, both of us.
Almost bought this mod pair of plastic and vinyl chairs, but they were very small, only a small adult or pre-teen could sit comfortably in them. So I passed.
I did get this nice antique, early 1900's, pyrography or Flemish art wood piece, for only 5.00, good deal! This was a old hobbyist piece were people would buy the wood, and a design would be marked into it, and they would burn the design in with a special tool, and make themselves decorative objects. Back in the very early 1900's.
Fairly soon, I felt like I was going to pass out from the heat, and so we went into one of the buildings and bought some cold water and looked around. People can bring their pets here,and this woman brought her dog in a stroller.
Spoiled rotten cute.
Here was a picture of a dealer's three spoiled pampered pooches.
Some oriental objects for sale.
Some vintage mink wraps for sale, I think she said they were about 20.00-25.00 each. If people just bought vintage furs, they wouldn't have to kill any animals now for their furs.
I was going over to see my French art dealer friend Daniel, and I found him chatting with another French dealer, and I walked up and told them to keep talking , so I could hear a man talk in French around me. Everytime I do that, they stop talking, darn.
He has some wonderful art and pottery. His site is http://www.trocadero.com/simhond/. But he also sets up at Metrolina every month in Charlotte in the big first building when you walk in. Tell him I sent you if you go.
I really liked this painting he has, a late 1800's oil on academy board in a European frame of a Renaissance saint or Mary Magdalene.
I bought here and she is for sale here.
 
 
Beautiful old vintage floral of gladiolas he had for sale, but too much for me for resale. I have bought many paintings from Daniel over the years, and many I wish I had bought.
My photographer took a goodbye shot of me and Daniel & his wonderful French accent, and then we continued our shopping.
Bought these original Italian Florentine wood frames...
Bought this vintage Impressionist pink roses floral in a big original frame that day...
Vintage European seascape...and a few more items. Not a awesome Metrolina trip, I believe their November Extravaganza show will be the next one I come to.
So we both pile into the car, turn up the air-conditioning on high, turn Adele 21 up on high, and head back home. On the way back , my son loves to see the big Charlotte Knights baseball team's water tower in the sky from the highway...
Enjoy your days and nights, all my items can be found here.
Take good care everyone,
Gina