New shop in D'Iberville "Antiques Plus" and My New Kutani sake cup

Today I went to visit a new shop called "Antiques Plus". It is located at 10340 D'Iberville Blvd. in D'Iberville, MS. I was quite surprised to walk in and find out that it is a new venture for a long time friend of mine Joan Skinner. I was even more surprised to find out that she had just opened this new shop this week!  Joan is a well known personage in the antique world here on this part of the Gulf Coast. Joan and I have been aquainted for many years and she has a very nice collection of my ceramic art pottery that she has purchased over the years.

When I first entered the shop I was very impressed with how well lit, and carefully everything in the shop is displayed. In the front part of the shop she has a nice selection of jewelry featuring sterling and better quality costume pieces. The shop has a fine variety of vintage and antique items. In the middle of the shop are smaller rooms on either side that have different consignment antiques, vintage, and collectable items. The back area has a good selection of furniture with everything from a large exuberant black Victorian fireplace mantle to an outrageous vintage, antiqued gilt Chinoiserie curio cabinet.

"Antiques Plus" is the kind of place where one can buy a lot of style at very good prices. I have to admit, I saw quite a number of items that would make really super holiday gifts for that special someone. I just can not understand going out the the mall and picking up some meaningless mass produced product when one can go to an antique shop like this and pick up something that will always be remembered. Antiques and vintage items can make a holiday gift truly special.  Also remember that when we purchase cool items from shops like this we are helping the local business person and our community.

Kutani sake cup circa. 1900

Detail of Falcon on Kutani sake cup circa. 1900

I try to buy local when I can. So I have to tell you. I bought a few really cool things at "Antiques Plus" myself. I found a nice little Japanese Kutani sake cup, circa. 1900, the late Meiji period(1868 - 1912. It features a very nice image of an armed archer that has a radiant golden bird(a falcon or a hawk?) in gold over his bow and an inscription around the outside. A lovely little sake cup to add to my collection. When I say little, I mean little. It is only 2 inches across by 1¼ inches tall! I just love the detail in these tiny sake cups. I also found a vintage ivory piece, a beautifully carved large mother of pearl shell, a small Victorian beveled glass and bronze jewel box and a gold overlay Edwardian style sterling bracelet with a central blue crystal.

Detail of inscription on Kutani sake cup circa. 1900

Mark on Bottom of Kutani sake cup circa. 1900

I will be doing a follow up post with pictures of Joan's shop shortly.  D'Iberville is an up and coming area here on the Gulf Coast. They are building a new aquarium and casinos and have just recently finished a new mall. I think Joan has chosen a great location, (right off of I-10) and that she will be having great success at this location. If you have a chance drop in and see her and tell Joan I said, "Hi"!

Happy Holidays from South Coast Antiques & Gallery

Happy Holidays from South Coast Antiques & Gallery in Ocean Springs, MS

Happy Veterans Day To all that have served!

Glenn Edward Miller at the 2011 Peter Anderson Art Festival in Ocean Springs,MS

 Over the weekend past we had the annual Peter Anderson art festival here in Ocean Springs, Mississippi,. I had the opportunity to go out and spend a bit of time looking around. I must admit that There seemed to be a little more arts and crafts this year than last year. I did not see as many factory made items and non arts and craft related merchandise this year.

 I spent a few moments talking with Glenn Edward Miller at his prominently located display. Mr. Miller is very well known and loved local artist that is best known for his vibrant depictions of local Gulf Coast sites. Glenn E. Miller is a life time resident of the Gulf Coast. He studied art and went to collage in New Orleans. For many years Mr. Miller was the man that raised and lowered the Back Bay drawbridge. When not operating the bridge he worked on many of his life sketches and studies.




Our shop South Coast Antiques & Gallery is located where the Old Henrietta's restaurant was located and was the subject for a number of Glenn Millers hand tinted etchings. One that I have had access to was titled "Henrietta's, the Hub of the Town".

Glenn Miller's art is the kind of thing that really appeals to anyone that has a love for the local area. Sadly, many of the buildings that Glenn has done etchings of have been destroyed by time, Katrina, and many by the desire to reshape Ocean Springs into a New Orleans type one stop party destination. A very sad thing in my opinion.

Ocean Springs has so many wonderful and quirky little buildings and between the whims of the storm Katrina and that of people that seem to want to rebuild the town from the ground up eventually only the prints of a visionary artist like Glen Edward Miller will allow the future to have a glimpse of what so many people loved about Ocean Springs. On that same note, I can only muse at the fate even of Henrietta's that is now South Coast Antiques & Gallery and used to be the Hub of the community!