here we have a stunning pair of bronzes by the world renown french artist Mathurin Moreau 1822-1912 with a wonderful brown patination and standing 55-56cm high.The original bases are lacking but this certainly does not affect the value of the pair.You have gussed right if you said "oh one of those back cupboard pieces" and you are correct...as i did have a very large cupboard.
these were purchased from a gentleman who opened the first sex shop in south africa which sold more toys than what we know today as the full range so it was modest and he made a stinking fortune over the years.He travelled widely and purchased some great antique items over a ten year period which i had the pleasure of buying.Some of these are still boxed up as i rather liked his taste and put them into my collection so i guess one day i will have to unpack...and start dispersing these wonderful items.So i am rambling...ok here is a link to the history of the man....moreau...and i also have a copy of the bronzes sculptors & founders guide 1800-1930 depicting these two items nos 2395/6
they have being added into the shop along with the copy of the guide...so have a look.
these are a great buy and rather rare to find a pair that are in such great condition...saying that they havent being touched up or repaired. visit the shop.

Here we have as promised some information on chinese and japanese bronzes with the information rather on the large scope of asian art where we find such great specialists outside of asia, being england and america.There are special fairs that cater souly in this direction where one will be able to experience wonderful antiquities by master craftsmen.
The tiger featured here is Japanese bronze and signed by the artist of the meiji period late 1890`s and wonderfully sculptured in a realistic fashion with glass eyes.As i am the year of the tiger i went gaga when i came across this one many years ago in a household and the lady selling used it as a doorstop which i nearly fell over when entering.So i had to buy it and must admit it has given me pleasure over the years and stood on its own.
so a few links coming up where i will hand u over to the experts and also some indication of venues museums and fairs to be viewed.
example of similar....tiger...and then off to arts of asia exhibits.....exhibits....further more there are gat books on the subject and also sothebys
have great experts to guide u along should u be a seller or buyer.

So i have been a bit slow this week as there has just been so much snow ...again...and tjhat means home work comes first and all the shovelling.Also had meetings in the big city so it gave me the opportunity to do some antique hunting...but alas no great find not all comes to a griding halt as i then look for music for a friend who has a great music blog and believe me when i tell u that he plans his blog with dedication and an indepth look at past and current music...also some deep thinking theory which is so well written that its easy for all to understand...visit here...music...so here we have a picture of a stunning example of the nantgarw factory which is dated c 1820.
extremely hard to find as the factory only lasted a few years due to the failure in the firing process...so here i will give a couple of links with detailed descriptions as well as a book link....finally ending with a browse through a catologue from bonhams london and prices realised.
here is the history..nantgarw...and then we go to a site which has a jooly good book on the subject..book...and finally to the bonhams site with prices realised....true...so with all this on hand there is plenty more on the web...and a few hours indepth searching and the whole picture is there.If u are unsure of the goods offered to u i suggest u get to know a friendly dealer who will be willing to help and i know that those who want u as a client will bend over backwards ..so give it a try..

Doing some work on english porcelain/ceramics i called to mind this fab mug that i had packed away many years ago and it was a case of finding it and hopefully still safe and sound.It was a case of... i think i know where it is...so it took a little longer to find...aargh!Photographing this one was difficult as the light showed spots all over..so not a studio pic by far.
i was on a holiday in cape town ...hmmm 15 or so years ago and i came across a small shop in simonstown which sold military and shipping collectibles and there was this jem jamed inbetween a whole lot of junk and at that stage i had just learned about the famous cream ware and the black transfer printing done at liverpool.
I have down quite some searching around on the net and would like to share a number of links with u showing similar mugs...the factory history...and..the period related to the motto presented on the mug....success to the british fleet.
lets first go to examples.....liverpool jug a good bit of reading and then we go to the factory history...book information...and its a great book with lots of pics and informative.now that we have experienced the work behind the scenes its also great to know the battles that took place at the time and who....won.sea battles...the british fleet...and that should give a good idea how creamware became so collectible and that such examples still exist today although mostly in museums.
the next posting i will show an exciting plate by the most desirable Nantgraw factory....another one of those simple finds...gee do i miss those early days when one was able to stumble on exotics and the last one in this series will be an extremely rare blue and white plate...that not even Godden has in his vast and comprehensive collection.( well perhaps today he may have one) so watch here for the next two examples.have a great weekend and should you have any suggestions i would be glad to hear from you.

Well after a weekend of solid rest and plenty of well deserved sleep
am now back after enjoying a snow filled holiday with some blizzard conditions...so it was mostly indoors.
later today i will be loading a very rare english soft paste mug wishing good fortune to the english feet over the french...with the scene in black transfer....later i will also add one more example of fine english porcelain and then will change direction...over to bronzes for a few posts.
so keep in touch and hope that you may find something interesting in the shop.

The worcester company that was formed in 1751 still manufactures high quality goods in todays market.The early period that called Dr Wall period lasted till about 1776 where they produced amazing translucent ceramics as well as experimenting with new techniques.When these items are held to the light one can see a green shade showing through the body yet there are a few other companies that show a similar effect so its once again down to shape style and painting that helps the collector to determine the factory when there is no mark on the article.underglaze blue decoration was perfected by the worcester period in comaparison to what was made for the market by other factories.
the over glaze transfer printing was not that sucessful until mr richard hancock joined the company in 1757. here it is noted that the underglazed wares were usually marked whereas the over glaze printing were rarely marked...this certainly helps when dating this factory`s wares.
the spoon tray pictured here (used in the art of making tea....teatime...)is of that fine worcester porcelain of 1765 period and finely painted with flowers.there are so many different styles and designs that we find with this manufactory and are each so delightful.
A link to detailed books on this well respected factory.....books..... and yes it is a bit pricey but then u get the full package...here u will have to scroll down to the revelant book...worcester.
mr sandon is the authority on the worcester factory and shares his passion with charm and delight.
visit the shop for early blue and white worcester....Shop...