2010-03-10T20:00:35Z Norman Warbreck Copyright 2010, Norman Warbreck SPHPBLOG
Early yesterday afternoon a silence fell over our small village as darkness started falling and a light fall of gentle snowflakes filled the sky. The roads were soon blanketed with that white powder throwing the area into a strange eerie light, no more tweeting of the birds and the silent passing of cars as they went their way. The roofs of the houses seemed to be instantly dusted with snow icing that glistened in the light of motor vehicles streaming by.
At home and watching the Olympics on TV from my Buffalo hide armchair, seeing the snow falling ...firstly like small down feathers wafting down and finally gently settling on the ground, falling upon each other to form a dense base, I had the urge to venture out for a long walk in the fresh cold air. So the decision was made.... a long walk tomorrow will do the trick.

The mere fact of seeing the langlaufers doing their thing straining muscle upon muscle and the tightening of those butt muscles made me want to get up and do some serious exercise. To fit into a tight outfit like they wear would only show the bulge and here i am not eluding to the cod piece but rather that of my waist which over the months has grown...moan.!
Always enjoyed seeing these men strain and push to the limits and especially from behind showing off those butts from small to large hard formed muscle...hmmm always had a thing with this image as another favorite is that of cricketers, bowlers running up to bowl the ball...hehe what a view.
My least favorite being that of Shaun Vaughan (Australian) who has a huge butt and after all with that display of ...Hehaw...donkey laugh...i rather turned from being a supporter.
Where was i..? Ok so the day has dawned for a long walk in the mountains to a great mountain resort that is rather family orientated, understated and quiet but has all the amenities for the family
where parents do not have to watch the crazies that abound elsewhere.
The first picture shows the swimming pool ( village Pany).....
that overlooks the valley, being a great pool in the summer. Link Pany...snow mountain
Sitting there, our neighbours, munching away at fresh fruits , from our village...SAAS.....link SAAS...Village Saas.

Presented with an apple i declined, as I rather liked mine peeled, hate that skin thing on my teeth, but then he politely offered to peel it for me with his swiss knife. Yeah well i had no intention of trekking with a backpack and half the kitchen but i accept those that do just that.
The next couple of pictures show us on the way to the very top of the mountain and taking a heavy toll on the leg and butt muscles....and the Olympics came to mind once again as i pushed on up the steep slopes. The distant picture shows Klosters(skiing resort for the rich and famous) well really for anyone, far down in the valley showing a clear bright blue sky.
Not a squirrel in sight only the squawks of the large black birds,breaking the tranquility, that chase after anything thrown to them. Heavy foot prints show the way where many have walked this far and there we see these tiny foot prints left by some small bird that hopped part of the way.

Through the archway formed by the large old pine trees we passed in the shade where one feels that real cold of the snow below. Stripped of heavy clothing due to the bright warm sunlight I slog on taking the path that twists and turns bringing stunning views at each turn.

Finally we see bright clear blue sky showing on the other side of the tress that are laden with snow.

There we finally come to rest at a old working barn, now closed up for the winter period. A drinking fountain and a seat to rest and take in the wonderful landscape.


A couple came into sight and the usual greeting of gruetzi rather a greeting used by the locals. Zurich people do not use this term, I think that has to do with the snob aspect. Anyway i rather like it and there are several ways to use this greeting....can be more sung...Gruet...zi ...the zi.. is a light sing away line. So want to greet like the butch farmers do...then be sure to say Salue. Some may greet with Grüss Gott then u will surely know that they are from outside the country.
A great venue for walks snow boarding skiing spas and just resting up. There are special rates for groups and little hide away places for runaway lovers, lovers and those that have those secret affairs. A great hideaway for golfers.!
Who knows we may see u on the peaks one of these days -have fun.
]]> http://www.antiques-international.ch/blog/index.php?entry=entry100221-171053 2010-02-21T00:00:00Z 2010-02-21T00:00:00Z
Its that time of the year in Zurich which is heavily blanketed in snow and rather unusual but giving the city a white glistening charm as well as creating a stillness as if the city was deserted. Cars crawled by at a snails pace and people seemed to be walking on their toes taking small steps as they headed off to their destinations.
The news channels filled with reports of so many people who have being rushed off to the hospitals with broken bones, arms wrists hands legs and shoulders where the injured sat for 4/5 hours to be attended .
That charming look on the ground as one walks along the snow covered streets hides the extreme danger that lies below.....ice..and this is the problem with a casual walk down the road. Normally there would be the clearing and salting that prevents such accidents but then again the weather change caught all unawares as Zurich started to run out of that magic substance.....Salt!!
A busy week taking and fetching friends with broken limbs to hospital and here i must say most of them on the younger side, yes, of course these are the fearless ones charging along. Accidents do happen and a quick slip costs hundreds if not thousands taking the time of all concerned into consideration.
After a long dark week,weather wise, and tired i had this hankering for two wonderful croissants for my Sunday breakfast. So planning an early rise as if one arrives too late there are none to be found.
Here we call them gipfeli and i rather prefer the butter variety which tend to be the best as one can add whatever to make a scrumptious breakfast.
Being not that sparking first thing in the morning i arrived at the local store to get my favorites only to be horrified in what i found to be on offer. On entering the mat was soaking wet as well as the tiled floor, no attempt was made to clean this up which could lead to people slipping and breaking bones....but who cares the place is run by unfriendly teenagers with no smile or interaction with the paying customers...of late this place has become a nightmare to shop in and i was prepared to give it once again another chance. No greeting at the till by the young female attendant and not a goodbye either.
A croissant is one of the best breakfast foods around when well done and they also come with various fillings...heres a link..croissants
..and looking at the pics quickly one can see that what was on offer was a total disaster. Shameful in fact even to charge for them...yet i still bought them thinking they could not be that bad but should have stuck to my instincts and walked out leaving them behind. Once at home i sat staring at these things and then tried to cut them through but as u will see in the pic below ....there was nothing there except for an overdone crust and these two long horns which were so hard and dry. This pissed off my day and yeah i dumped them settling for some Museli mixed with yogurt and sliced bananas.
Heres a link to the history of a pastry we have all come to know and love....history
Theres no going back for me to this store which is poorly supervised!! Grumpy ? Hmmm.
.so how come after all these hundreds of years do they still hope to get away with offering this unadulterated excuse for a croissant. This is what i came to buy..... over baked emancipated looking gipfeli ******

]]> http://www.antiques-international.ch/blog/index.php?entry=entry100215-100438 2010-02-15T00:00:00Z 2010-02-15T00:00:00Z Having never seen these wonderful items i decided to buy the collection as they were marked Limoges...being a great porcelain manufacture and the detailed painting drew my attention.
Off i went with my precious cargo and had to do some homework....thanks to GOOGLE...i gathered some very interesting information.
Here i share with you the items purchased and some links. A link to the largest collection that i have found appears at the bottom of the page and is well worth the visit as all the items are just show stopping.
These are wonderful but do not fit into my collections...which one u may ask...arrgh!!
Yes they are for sale and i would like to see them go to a collector or museum that would share their beauty with others.
I do believe that there are several more pieces coming out of their back cupboard and hopefully i would be able to snatch them up. Several pieces are marked LIMOGES and others simply have the initials of the painter.The items are in perfect condition and looks like they stood in a vitrine for all these years.
The gold gilding is of great quality and so is the fine painting with hardly any wear.Simply not a crack or chip with no restorations. The lady selling these had a great collection of Limoges which she put together over the last 40 years or so.Her appartment was....floor to ceiling.... with finely painted porcelain and i was told it took 2 days to pack up the lot.
The other items that i purchased will safely stay with me....big smile. Yet another storeroom to find !A link to the translation....item description and giving smart details..
My Favorite (left)
....showing two with roses


and then something different

and the more elegant.....


to the fanicyful

I hope you have enjoyed looking and for a more sumputious collection ...go here...
Collection...
]]> http://www.antiques-international.ch/blog/index.php?entry=entry100122-115331 2010-01-22T00:00:00Z 2010-01-22T00:00:00Z

I was rather unsure of what was made in this range but then to my delight i have found a striking blue and a rose pink example with regular borders.



The next example showed up an upturned border with a blue flash and smaller than the regular plates featured. Here it must be noted that these plates are rather thick and thus survived pretty well.
In the last week i walked into a buy with 8 "string" colorless glass plates which then told me that these were manufactured as tableware/dinner service which really surprised me as i had only found other exotic examples.

These are to be found on the CD by Marcus Newhall...Art Before Industry...
It is interesting to note that i have not found any of these on sites showing Sklo Union examples or on Ebay selling!
So the plates found are for various use and i must say that a table now set out(red underlay) with these plates are quite something else and rather a unique table setting.
Most think that colorless glass is boring but then again when one plays with colors the designs jump out and visually are very striking. The same could be said for the vases in colorless glass where i hade added a colouring to the water and this shows off very effectively....so all one has to do is play with the wonderful designs and hey ...Presto!!!...one has a new look.
I prefer the name rope for these....well imagine that a party is thrown....for grown ups..
and your table sets the tone for the naughty night with these "rope" plates.
Ok so I diverse but then again one can play with these wonderful designs as it becomes a conversational topic...instead of talking about the maid or the hairdresser!
Visit the site and look under...Designer Jiri Brabec for the various examples...
Reference guide
The data base is unpdated daily so keep an eye on the site and discover the wonders of Designer Bohemain Glass.



]]> http://www.antiques-international.ch/blog/index.php?entry=entry100109-110331 2010-01-09T00:00:00Z 2010-01-09T00:00:00Z
Once again the basis of this blog is taken from the book Art Before Industry by Marcus Newhall which with its CD gives a brief history of Rudolf Jurnikl....Link..Book and CD
Other resources may be found in the Glass Revue catalogues which are extremely hard to find in the public domain and yet most libraries carry the many years of production. So it was a rainy day that pushed me into spending lots of time perusing these and it was quite some fun as there is so much more that one learns from all the individual reports of the time.
One particular piece designed by him has caught my attention and that is the vase depicted here...

pattern 984 for Rosice and again for Rudolfova hut.,being one of his first commercial designs. These i have found in three different color ways. Clear,Amber and a striking blue all in the same size and as far as i am aware there was only one size in this design. It has a raised bead decoration and when light is thrown on the vase it explodes with reflection and even more so when it is filled with water.It seems to expand the beads and gives it a deeper feeling than it actually is.
These are not readily available in the market place so hunting one down is exciting.
In the following years Jurnikl was to become a prolific designer where many new designs would capture the publics imagination. The hobnail design must have being extremely popular as these are available and mostly in flint glass whereas the color range is more sought after. In Switzerland the publics taste was more for clear glass objects and this covers most designs as they are readily found.

Being aware that these designs are pressed glass of a very high standard they look like blown pieces and many of the traders would swear that they are not of the pressed glass variety. One telling me that it had belonged to her mother who is 70 years old, which means little,and she had travelled to Venice where she had purchased it from a Murano factory. Yeah well at the price she was asking there was no persuading otherwise but did spur me on thinking...wow if all thought the same i am onto a good thing here. I guess that the serious and well informed collectors would know a whole lot better. Going back later in the day i noticed that the vase was sold and she delighted in telling me she had got her price...stunning...now all i had to do was find another ten of her buyers.
Lens vases and jardiniers were also a great design with the so called hobnail following close behind
Thus far i found the lens objects only in clear glass as i guess this color way showed off its effect to the best, whereas the hobnail design comes in various colors.
Another important design for Jurnikl was to be his Osaka vase depicted here....

it had previously been named Slunce but after an exhibition in Japan in the 70`s it was named as Osaka by... i guess... the clever marking department. Always good to give the public that which they would hold dear and thats wise marketing...i guess! There is a very rare example of this vase to be found...if u are lucky enough...but then buy the book and find out what technique they used.
Another favorite and desirable design is that called `Iceberg`which can be found in many different pieces...vases candlesticks and so on.
Ashtrays and candlesticks by Jurnikl are found frequently and i have many examples in various colors.
To say the least this man brought to the market place some of the best designs and other than one other designer, Matura, where he had more designs exhibited than his fellow glass makers.
Should you wish to browse my library of Bohemian designer glass ....go here...Guide

I will follow up the next blog with another famous designer and until then i wish you all happy hunting.]]> http://www.antiques-international.ch/blog/index.php?entry=entry091112-181925 2009-11-12T00:00:00Z 2009-11-12T00:00:00Z
When one is looking at a new adventure then may i suggest that one picks up a new book covering the production of Bohemian Designer Glass by Marcus Newhall..................Art Before Industry.Book
This is a manual with a CD that shows pictures, sketches ,sizes and pattern numbers that span the master designers form the early 20thC through to the late 90“s.
The book is well set out with headings and full details of each designer giving the history of the factories showing who designed which patterns.
Matura's strict form designs are timeless and with no frills and fuss yet they have substance and strength. According to Marcus....Matura produced many designs from the early 60's and one of his stunning designs is the Praha Pattern consisting of more than 25 pieces.
Should you wish to visit the reference library you will find several pieces of the Praha pattern and a recent find turned up as a cake stand which is not shown on the CD. Thats whats so exciting about all this new information that has taken Marcus many years to compile that unknown pieces are out there and just need to be hunted down.
Of the Praha pattern i have quite a number of pieces....one of the favourites is a large punch bowl with the eight glasses. At the moment i am trying to build a dinner service of Praha which displays beautifully. The pieces are of thick glass form and covered in punts..see example..perhaps why they have survived so well although not that easy to find.

Matura had several popular designs which today fetch a great price and really sought after by collectors....but i will leave that with you to discover for yourself in his book.
He experimented with new forms and techniques which proved to be popular at the time and still today collectors search high and low for such pieces.
Another favorite is an ashtray made for Rosice pattern no 983 and i have since found a German ceramic example which possibly shows its high standard of design. Always great when other people copy and follow that which is popular and of good design There are another 8 or so designers who worked over the same period and their items are fully featured in the book and on the CD.
This is going to be the collectables of the future by these great Bohemian Glass Designers and the prices will surely rise in years to come and this is the ideal opportunity to learn more and start collecting whilst the prices are reasonable. There are several that run into the hundreds of dollars and my guess is that the pieces will always be in demand.
Guide and personal collection]]> http://www.antiques-international.ch/blog/index.php?entry=entry091028-203031 2009-10-28T00:00:00Z 2009-10-28T00:00:00Z We headed towards Deauville along the coast with its huge beaches and of course its the playground of the young rich and not that far from Paris. On the way i really wanted to see Omaha Beach....... and all its history as i just love war films merely for the entertainment and not the killing...sounds twisted but then i really gave it no other thought but mere entertainment. Well my visit to the war memorial has changed my mind considerably. On entering the area covered in white crosses there were signs asking for silence and respect where hundreds of people milled around and through the lines of graves.
Turning to see the vast amount of graves i was totally overcome and tears flooded down my face just seeing the extent of death of young and old alike from all denominations. It was just too much to take in and not feel the anger well up that men could be so arrogant in sending others to their grave for their idology`s then on the other side those defending their freedom. I remember seeing pictures many years ago but then it did not have the effect on me but being there on site turned my stomach changing my mind as to what man is all about. Thoughts about whether war is an option where so many suffer for the ideals,greed,arrogance and madness of the maniacs who posture war set off a flood of thoughts of how to circumvent future wars with its suffering. Coming to mind is the horrific massacre in Darfur and many other trouble spots in the world where so called „leaders“ of that nation war with their own people and their neighbours. Here one can make a difference and help change the frightening plight of others...make a difference now
Darfur....
I would suggest that all schools book their pupils to take a trip to the site so that they may experience what i had so that they may know what the future holds for them if they take no action against these war mongers. Yeah i can rant on but i wish for world peace and stability where all men can live free without the wars and genocides that have swept the nations.
Deauville was to be the highlight of the trip where we were staying for a couple of nights and to walk along the magnificent beach also discovering the main shopping area sporting all the top fashion brands shop after shop including those making my favorite crepes. A warning to those ordering crepes....make sure that u choose one where they make your crepe fresh on the spot...i had one who whisked one out the fridge,perhaps from yesterday,putting it in the microwave and then wrapped it in tin foil. Why tin foil...well when i had it in my hand this thing flopped forward and tasted disgusting so i dumped it in her dustbin....that she had the cheek to charge for that...foolish me paying for it.
Here we arrived at the fabulous La Barriere 5 star hotel where the service was par excellence with staff like hot and cold running water...... Hot service but being cool when needed...neat hey! The ladies on reception were wonderful and made our stay something to remember as they went out of their way to service our needs...not that we asked much but then there was a story....lets leave it there...all good mind you.
The room booked by my partner was luxurious and the bathroom was large enough to swing a cow and the bed...enormous..and other thoughts jumped to mind...this is where it all started. Hold the bathroom thought. Well show me a good bed and i turn into something else....grrrrr. Whisked off for a walk along the beach to witness the warm and sunset where i collected seashells of all sorts, unusual yes as i have not done that in 50 years but hey had fun as i had in mind to make seashell covered xmas gifts for friends and family...just to see that look on their faces...after all things are tight and a hand made gift...tongue in cheek. Then back to that bathroom.....smile...where the bathroom invited some hot steamy sex...did i just say that...... Here we felt rather all French cuisine`d out and opted for a burger of some sorts...can you imagine being in Beaumont and eating a hamburger but then this was no ordinary hamburger as it was huge and like nothing else i had tasted before in a hamburger.
Lazy days spent walking aound and a great market in the centre of the town where i headed straight for the stall selling a large variety of sweet patisserie`s ,my sweet tooth took me to some other shops where i guzzled some other tasty bits.
It was time to leave and we headed off the the infamous Mont Saint-Michel...an Abbey..here is a link .....Abbey
To say the least this Abbey was stunning and conjured up so many thoughts as the entire place was seductive and full of history. Took so many pictures as the architecture was really to be marveled at as the rooms were voluminous with huge stone blocks and they all had to be carried up to the top of this hill one by one,...i guess.... The sunset was amazing with the receded waters leaving a shining glimmer of water around the Abbey where we stayed for one night. The hotel was up a narrow alley and rather ordinaire ....after Deauville...but then again we wanted to stay in the Abbey and all was fully booked and we were fortunate to find a room......
Time to leave and we set off home with a long drive ahead....9 hours later the Swiss border.]]> http://www.antiques-international.ch/blog/index.php?entry=entry091023-112255 2009-10-23T00:00:00Z 2009-10-23T00:00:00Z The country side was farmning after farming and charming at that with the large houses sitting far back in the landscape giving a feeling of staring at a painting by some master or other. We had not booked for this bed and breakfast but then set out to find it and hopefully find a bed that was comfortable. Well its rather tucked away down an alley and it took us several minutes to find it...we passed it three times...eeegh..well its entrance looks so ordinaire ...a large wooden door that looks like a private drive in with simply a small number showing.
Here we met the owner who welcomed us with a big smile and so friendly. We viewed the room available and decided....yes yes...and immediately settled in before taking a wonderful walk along the boardwalk sea front.
Jon,the owner gave us excellent advice of where to eat and went out of his way to do the bookings as these are small popular and well run restaurants. Great food and atmosphere and well priced.
So we had arrived in Etretat along the coastline tucked away in a valley with large white cliffs on either side and views that took your breath away in all directions. The bed and breakfast....Jardin Gorbeau...linkbed and breakfast
is run by two wonderful hosts that went out of their way and my partner then suggested that we stay over for three nights sit back and relax...a excellent decision as we had time to do just that as there is not much to do on the beach front unless one likes swimming in the freezing waters...and there were quite a few oldies doing just that. One can hire canoes and other vessels...did not see and luxury yachts...to travel the waterways and through the needle on one side of the coast....here


The cliffs drew you to the top were the views were never ending and there is also a golf course which is at the top of the cliff...here we had a super dinner...booked by our host...and we were rather lucky as they arranged a table for us in a fully booked restaurant...now thats connections for u. The food was superb and reasonable prices...here i must mention that the prices of the wines are rather expensive...in the village one can buy good wines for quarter of the price being asked in the restaurants...guess thats where they make their money.
Our last evening was spent at the dinner table of the host who served the most delicious duck and here i must not forget the aperitif ...a must to have...and this aperitif can be ordered for sure...just delicious and could have had a second one...yummy.
Relax in the picturesque garden and dare to pluck pears from the trees....very tranquil and a great place to lay back and do simply nothing...well Philippe would say ..read a book man.
Out time had come to move on and i had a sneaky feeling that i was about to be spoilt at the next stop but then again i had to be patient...but remained silent.
Our next stop further up the coast in direction Mont Saint-Michel........next blog.
]]> http://www.antiques-international.ch/blog/index.php?entry=entry091014-135032 2009-10-14T00:00:00Z 2009-10-14T00:00:00Z The museum was built early 20thC as a showcase for all the works celebrating the master craftmanship of Galle himself. The dinning room setting includes a wooden ceiling with all the original light fittings textiles and furniture...really fab and must have been a glorious time...providing u had the money!! A small outside building used as a meditation area containing several fish tanks and a staircase to the top to view the surrounding area all set in woodlands. Nil fish and little forest left but then one gets the idea of what it had truly been like. Here i purchased a book...in French...as it was the lastest and good to have.
Off to a local shop crammed with Daum and Galle and other designer French glass ...no prices displayed but then if one is not shy all u have to do is ask forty or so prices...if u had the guts and it all had to be in French.
Here we met a young man in his early twenties who seemed to be a cool fanatic as he spoke to us in English about the various techniques of Galle...reminded me of a friend in SA who looks like a grown cherub...and so keen and polite.
Our first French Dinner was at a local restaurant in a small alley filled with customers buzzing in French and this is where i said...here we eat...they all cant be wrong. Well the meal was delicious and some of the best pate that i had on the entire trip. The dessert was outstanding...arrived on a large dinner plate...with 9 different desserts...very small portions but oh my goodness did each have its own great flavor. One being a white mousse was devastatingly sweet and made your taste buds kick back...but we ate it all washed down with champagne....and then strangely enough a good coffee and why i say that as the French do not make a strong coffee.
The next day we strolled the streets and found one Broccante and what a disappointment as the goods were quite ordinaire and at Euro prices!! just daft. Then came the Markethalle which was a real treat...crammed with stalls selling all sorts of goodies....cakes cakes...yummmy...fish of course in may varieties and fresh vegetables. I was astonished how cheap these were and now know that the <French must eat very well indeed...the sweet goodies were tantalising and could not resist parting with some Euros. The Square of Nancy is absolutely stunning with all the gilded figures and huge gates ....four of them serving as entrances to the square and lots of restaurants to choose from.

Here is a recnt find..it stands 40cm high and a super piece.....
Here are two links to both museums...


Daum......Museum
Galle.....museum


We then set off to visit Dieppe a large port which also has a great museum of carved Ivories and surprisingly a small collection of glass by Maurice Marniot.
Museum Dieppe.......
City pic......

Stayed overnight and had a terrible meal at a local restaurant which was recommended by a local. We really felt not so good the following day but then set off to our next town not knowing what it may be like but hey this was an adventure of sorts. The next town was a delight and i will suggest that if u are going this way and time there is a secret bed and breakfast that i can truly recommend. See my next blog entry for this delightful town and its peoples as well as a visit to Mon St Michel.]]> http://www.antiques-international.ch/blog/index.php?entry=entry091006-101230 2009-10-06T00:00:00Z 2009-10-06T00:00:00Z Museum of glass and Jewellery in Jablonec....Museum Zelezny Brod...Glass Museum Harrachov...and then discovered a stunning little workshop that specializes in minatures and loads upon loads of beads.Watching a young lady do her thing and although repetitive they all turned out perfect and i felt i wanted to buy it all and here i must say that the price was next to nothing.
We were then referred to another man who did glass figures to order and he would whip up a figure for u in a matter of hours and they were just amazing...not cheap but then its a one off if its your own idea.
So Jindrich drove me from end to end at speeds that would have most people pee in their pants but i hung in there so that i could experience first hand all this manificent glass going back many many years to present day designs.Vizner was well represented and I was rather thrilled to see close up these clean timeless pieces that are so highly sought after....makes one drool...and then a flick of the head and carried on with what i had set out to do....take photograps if possible...to my graet surprise each museum kindly gave us permission and i took over 700 photographs showing the entire collections...so time for others to drool.(hehe)
At one museum we met the director who took time with us answering questions and he has a new book out...its in Czech language only...sadly ...but a stunner! He has a Phd and handed a copy over as a gift.
Such wonderful people all in all and very kind indeed.On the way back from one museum i was shown where Mr.Vizner lives and whilst driving through his village we stopped at a secondhand shop....and guess what...i found this great piece by the master himself...costing a pittance...ironic that i would find one of his great designs in his village !! Shocking he would say but hey i was lucky as Jindrich made a beeline for some other glass and i was able to discover this piece on another shelf.

So came back home loaded up with designer glass.....some not that cheap but then again find another piece.Visit my reference library which displays Designer Bohemian pressed glass which is so exciting with exoctic shapes and brilliant colors
library
How much of Prague did i get to see...very little in fact but then again the square was most important where i took these pictures.....


Oh and a warning should u need a loo in central Prague....make a beeline for a hotel or restaurant as the public facilities are the remnants of the communist era and so are the staff.....screaming grumpy and down right rude and here i must add it was at least clean...before u enter the loo be sure to check for loo paper as this hangs outside her glass cabin and should u take too much she yells at you.
A wench from hell ...but as she did not understand English i kindly told her to sit down relax and have another Vodka.
Its great to be back home in the land of mountains chocolates and good food.So the quest has been extended and a new venture in hot worked pieces will also be collected and at a later stage i will form a directory of the found pieces which i hope will delight and tittilate all interested parties.
If you are looking for something special drop us a line and we wil search for you and perhaps you would like to visit our shop which is in Saas Graubuden which is loaded with treasures from around the world.
Have fun.
shop
]]> http://www.antiques-international.ch/blog/index.php?entry=entry090916-203124 2009-09-16T00:00:00Z 2009-09-16T00:00:00Z
After 4 years of collecting Fat Lava German ceramics i have now decided to move on and have another pet collection and have decided to sell my collection of over 1500 pieces as a collection.Included in this collection one will find a huge cross section of all the factories
that produced these colorful pieces and some rather rare pieces.
Ruscha/ Dumler Breiden / Scheurich make up a large part of the collection and the majority is in very good condition with few having tiny chips as in general i never bought damage goods unless the item was rather rare to find.
Vases / plates / bowls etc form the basis of the collection.Together with this there is a large amount of 1950 vases ranging from small to large in the most bizarre patterns and a delight to have.
I am looking for a reasonable offer that could be negotiated and all one would need is a large truck to take it all away and i would gaurentee the buyer would do well making handsome profits.
The entire collection is situated in Switzerland and can be viewed anytime.Email pics are also available.
So looking forward to hearing from all interested parties.]]> http://www.antiques-international.ch/blog/index.php?entry=entry090901-080615 2009-09-01T00:00:00Z 2009-09-01T00:00:00Z
A year has nearly flown by and it has been an amazing ride as i scoured the land for designer examples of Czech glass.Here i must add that i have also put together a lot of tableware...ie..sets of 6 of each plates/bowls/3 divisional bowls and all the rest that goes with tableware except for the cutlery side.Candlesticks galore butter & cheese dishes waterjugs and yeah wait for it....Vases...and more Vases
Imelda Marcus thought she had a thing with shoes...well now the secret is out all my friends...HOWL ...with laughter when they see my collection and a new nick name is given...but i am hush about that!
There is so much i still need to find but where will i store it all...help!
The colors strike a stunning display with all the vases and various items ...remembering that it dates back to the early thirties and the designs are still so modern and pleasing.
The more common designs.....many produced...still pop up from time to time and i have found that more and more dealers now know pretty well what price to ask.So lucky me that i started early and have all those examples and most reasonable prices.Remember i had mentioned in one of my earlier blogs that this will be the collectors dream at affordable price whilst enjoying the designs and their structures.
The decorative plates are one of my favorites......reference library
So i hope u browse through and see if grandmama has somethin similar tucked away in the bottom of her kitchen cupboard.]]> http://www.antiques-international.ch/blog/index.php?entry=entry090810-213746 2009-08-10T00:00:00Z 2009-08-10T00:00:00Z