Collect the past and invest for your future.
Have you had any finds this month? There must have been lots of people cleaning out, downsizing or just having a sort-through of their treasures. I have had a number of calls and photos, with people asking a large variety of questions about their items. Always great to talk to people about the history, age and value of their old interesting pieces.
I have been busy organising our next auction at Taree Showground at 10am on Sunday 22nd April. I hope to see you there. Keep this as a diary date. I’m sure you will enjoy the variety of lots on offer. We have a viewing day on Saturday morning, prior to the auction. (Hub Market Day.) I am into my third shed clean-out, as well as still getting around and finding interesting things for our collection. ,Jenny’s and my deal these days is that, if we find something that we want to keep, something else has to leave. It works well for us, because we don’t get overly cluttered at home.
If you would like to have a sneak preview closer to the auction, give me a call on the number below and we can arrange a time.
Have you thought about the china and porcelain products that we use daily? The process has been refined over the last 1200 years. Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating materials, including kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between 1,200 and 1,400 °C. The toughness, strength, and translucence of porcelain, not found in other types of pottery, arises mainly from vitrification. This is similar to high-temperature glass making.
Porcelain started in China, and slowly evolved, until satisfactory quality was finally achieved. Then, the “recipe” slowly spread to other East Asian countries, and finally into Europe and the rest of the world. It was a slow process because, once achieved, manufacturers didn’t want to share their secrets to the extent of, in some cases, imprisoning the makers for imperial service only.
Porcelain was preferred over earthenware and stoneware for its delicacy, strength, and its white colour. It combines well with both glazes and paint, and can be modelled very well, allowing a huge range of decorative treatments in tablewares, vessels and figurines. It also has many uses in technology and industry.
The European name, porcelain, in English, comes from the old Italian porcellana (cowrie shell), because of its resemblance to the translucent surface of the shell. Porcelain is also referred to as china or fine china in some English-speaking countries, as it was first seen in imports from China.
A high proportion of modern porcelain is made of the variant bone china, in which animal bone ash is added to the manufacturing process.
Porcelain is always collectable, with fine examples from all over the world. Some special names to ponder in your searching are Meissen – Germanic, Sevres – French, Capodimonte – Italian, Beleek – Irish, Dresden – Germanic, Shelley, Worcester, Doulton, Minton, Wedgwood, Spode, Clarice Cliff, Royal Albert (all English), Limoges – French, Lladro – Spanish, Royal Copenhagen – Danish…… There are thousands of makers, through history, from all over the world.
Quality porcelain is a great thing to collect!
I recommend collecting to all. Find the category that suits you, or take the plunge and collect a wide variety of unique and interesting treasures, or limit yourself to one area. It is always fun and can be a good investment.
If you have items you are not sure of, I may be able to help with information, appraisals or sales. I love the history and stories of old and interesting items.
Phone Rex – 0427 880 546.