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"!