Today's Edition of #myfavouritethings features some of the amazing "new to us" Asian antiques my store has just purchased in the last few months. There is something very whimsical and unique about the pieces and I thought them perfect to feature for this weeks #myfavouritethings
First up is the pair of red, hand painted Chinese bedside cabinets. I think these might be a reproduction, they are definitely not actual Chinese antiques, but they are sooo pretty that we couldn't resist when we saw them on sale at one of our secret sources.
All the detail is hand painted in an almost inlay style. The cabinets are well made, with no makers mark, so I am having a hard time trying to figure out when and where they were made. I'm thinking that they were made somewhere in Europe, France or even the UK, perhaps in the 30's (they are too well-made to be a Chinese or Indonesian reproduction).
The brass locking mechanisms and handles are also very unique, possibly handmade, which again tells me they could be rather old. The only thing that is niggling me at the back of my head is that fact that, in the early 90's and 00's, the world went through a huge Asian obsession. Anyone you know who is now 35 - 50 very well may have a weird tribal or dragon tattoo.
You know .... these?
So this is a thought that is at the back of my mind, making me think that they are possible 00's reproductions, still out of Europe or the UK though. Hhhhmmm. I have these internal dialogues all day long!
The next item I would like to show you is a very heavily carved antique Indonesian cabinet. We have two, almost identical, a near pair, which I bought on an estate sale.
.jpeg)
The detail is amazing, and while they are in quite good nick, there are some chips and scratches, and even a piece missing on the one. I don't ever try to fix these imperfections, as I feel this takes away from the vintage of a piece. Of course, if the person buying it asks me too, I will send it to the workshop to be repaired.
.jpeg)
I love the asian men coming out of the carving in their little kimonos. Really special. As I said, these were bought on an estate sale. This makes me wonder, how many beautiful pieces of furniture, lighting and jewelry there are hidden in the possession of the older generation of the world? Like in the Titanic when they are looking for Rose's "Heart of the Ocean" necklace, but she has kept it that entire time.
The following piece is something I have never seen before. Bought on the same estate sale as the Indonesian cabinet, this Indian cabinet is also hand-painted and full of detail. I wonder what it was originally used for? I'm thinking perhaps for medicines, or perfumes. Maybe even spices, but I think I am a bit far off with that assumption!
Many times, my clients ask me, "But what is it?" and I always just tell them that it is whatever they want it to be, as I think this is what makes each piece special. The reuse of a special piece, interpreted for one's own needs. I, of course, make suggestions, as this could help the sale along, but I am never pushy, especially when a client has a specific use in mind. I am actually often surprised at the creative purposes that some of my pieces serve.
The detail on the cabinet is quite stunning, and each little drawer and door closes and opens perfectly. I really love this piece, and will be interested to see what it is purchased to be used as
.jpeg)
Thank you for reading along as I explain this weeks #myfavouritethings! I'd love to know your thoughts on these beautiful pieces - what would you use them for?
Ciao for now, Steemians! 🌺
Please consider voting for @adsactly-witness as a witness. To read what we are all about - click here
What beautiful Antiques and what an amazing story. Thank you for sharing @princessmewmew. @adsactly
Thank you so much :) Thank you for popping by, it's so lovely to see your face on my blog!
Happy to be here @princessmewmew.
Astonishing, I really like antique pieces @princessmewmew
Oh thank you so much! Nice to see you here!
that was very nice on
thanks for sharing
upvote and resteem done
Thank you very much for popping by x
The mughal-e- azam themed furniture always gives a very mesmerising feeling! Nice pics
That's so pretty! It's very impressive that people can make that by hand.
Yeah, absolutely! Handicrafts and furniture design are one of my favourite things to explore x
upvote..@gates6661
Wow such a amazing your your pics always impess me
Thank you so Much! That’s really a nice thing to say x
good post thanks for share
Lovely collection of antiques @princessmewmew :D
thank you very much!
This craft is completely at its best in asain countries. Being an asain I know how people have been traditionally involved in this art. This is stunning art but it requires high amount of skill and hardwork. It's mainly handiwork, they don't use machines for this. U get these designs on the paper machie things, on walls , on carpets too. And u have captured it's feel amazingly.
Yes you are so right! We have also got some amazing papier-mâché items in the shop. Where are you from?
I am from Kashmir, paper mache is the best handicraft existing here. We got such amazinhmg artwork of it here
Ahh! I didn’t know where Kashmir is, so I looked it up! I see that Kashmir and Jammu have been in territorial wars? Are you in an Indian or Pakistani state?
Sorry for half info.. I belong to Indian side Kashmir... I thought u just asked like that, n Ours Kashmir is known as paradise on Earth. It's amazingly beautiful. I got lot to tell but how much would I write here :)
They all look amazing =) I love to hear background stories about antique things. Not a collector though just think it's interesting =)
Yeah me too! I love the background! I think sometimes it actually makes a piece
A word tribal tattoo eh? I don't know what you mean :0D
Those are lovely, the red of that first one is so cool
Hehehe! Show me your tattoo! Is it a tramp stamp?
Haha, tramp stamp has always cracked me up as an expression.
I can show you vote the power of steemit!!
https://steemit.com/tattoostorycontest/@meesterboom/tattoo-story-contest-entry-tears-of-the-dragon
oh my good god that end video! hilarious!
you are a funny man
A pretty ouchy tattoo:
The tattoo that was meant to be the size of a penny:
I was absolutely steaming drunk when I did that post and video. It amused me the next day!
Lol, punk as fuck,, that is so so cool! and the foot one looks really painful!
haha, it was rather impulsive, i must say.
drunk videos FTW. I will always remember leaving my friend a voice note a few years ago after a night out (drunk AF lol) and listening to it the next day... Let's just say it was less than cohesive. 😅😅
What an awesome item, looks like it comes from the Black Pearl
Beautiful craftmanship. Mahalos for posting. I am a woodworker and go to the two museums we have in Hawaii and marvel at the workmanship. I have no idea how they did it, when I can't even come close with my power tools.
Much time and effort I suppose! My mom used to carve wooden paintings (very eighties!) and I used to watch her painstakingly sit and sand and polish these pieces
Really cool pieces, all of them. My question on the red cabinets would be "How are the drawers constructed"? Dovetail joints? Machine grooved and fitted? For me, drawers are the age markers.
The last one I'd call a vanity cabinet. Personal stuff that would be at home in today's bathroom. Because of it's size (small) Mork may not be far off. Built for shipboard use? Where space is a premium?
Ah! I had a look today. Dove tail joints. What does this mean? Are they new then?
Probably older rather than newer. Or at least really high grade modern furniture. Dovetails are expensive and time consuming even with a machine. Almost every one has gone to square fitted carcass construction.
Hand cut dovetails are almost certainly 19th century.
these are am such cool pieces I particularly like the second piece its so nice
I dont have any of those style of tattoos as such but I do have a couple that are colorful variants of them :)
Wow...Really an amazing post @princessmewmew. Thanks for sharing all of this with us :)
I absolutely love all of these items. I love anything that is different. I'm always on the hunt for different things for my house and if I cant find what I want I make it instead. Im definitely going to start posting things that I make.
Wow! You make furniture? That’s a great skill to have 😉
I can make anything I set my mind to! It's definitely a learning process but it's so rewarding.
Would go perfect with the dragon chandelier you show a bit ago?
So well together! I should suggest that to my client 😉😉
I love Asian furniture. We have a couple pieces from the early 1900s from the Asia export era. You have some beautiful pieces! The design is so unique. Each piece is like a piece of art. Enjoyed.
Thanks so much. I really like the Asian pieces. They are super unique.
Almost looks like something you would find in a pyramid, not the same style by any count, but the detail and craftsmanship is definitely unique to each piece. Think i like the Indian one best, something more spiritual about it 😇
Yeah, it has more putzah. (Is that a word? Now it is) I agree :)
So gorgeous!!
Hello @princessmewmew. I'm a freelance journalist doing an article about whether it is possible to make a living using Steemit as a content creator. Would you be willing to discuss your experience with me? You can see my work here on Steemit, I'm on twitter @ianedws, or email me at [email protected]. Thank you!
hey guy! you are more than welcome to inbox me on discord. Same handle as on here
Hi thanks for the reply! I'm on discord, but I can't find you without that four-digit number. Mine is enedws #2557, if you want to contact me. Thanks!