The term "Empire" in American Empire furniture refers to the style's origins and inspirations from the French Empire style, which was prominent during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte (1804-1815). The French Empire style itself drew from classical Greek and Roman design elements, characterized by grandeur, opulence, and a sense of authority. When this style made … Continue reading Collecting American Empire Furniture: Tips and Insights
Recent sightings of fabulous furniture include a 19th-century mahogany game table with floral carving, a well-preserved secretary sold at auction, two machine-made 19th-century chairs and a functional GE Monitor Top refrigerator from 1927-1938. These items were found in Oregon, offering a glimpse into historical and aesthetic treasures.
If asked to describe an ideal antiquing destination, it would be a small town with historic buildings and a dozen or more individually owned shops. Drive about a half-hour south of Portland, Oregon, and after some twists and turns you could come across a town named Aurora. The green fields, 19th-century buildings, and surrounding town … Continue reading Antiquing at Its Best
Hubu Mountain is outside of the South Gate of the ancient city Xuzhou, my hometown. Today it is part of the downtown core with 900,000 people. To call it a mountain is an overstatement. It is more like a hill, although you will break a sweat climbing up. Its commanding view has a perk – … Continue reading Tao Bao – Antiquing in Xuzho, China; A Personal Experience
New Year's Day is a good time to take down the Christmas tree — out with the old! It's not convincing that you have to keep it until the Epiphany - trees have nothing to do with it. New Year's is also a time for "in with the old" and so the year both ended … Continue reading Aurora of the New Year: Antiques and an Auction
Urban Art & Antiques 