Northwood Alaska Blue Opalescent Glass Sugar & Creamer and Unkown Double Hobstar Bowl

 I had a young woman come into South Coast Antiques & Gallery the other day and sell me some really nice blue opalescent glass pieces. She had a sugar bowl and creamer that are in the northwood pattern known as "Alaska". The "Alaska" pattern was made by the Northwood Glass Company and dates between 1898-1903.  This is a pattern that I was not familiar with. I went online and typed into the Google search engine, "blue opalescent sugar bowl" and was suprised to find almost immeadiatly a thumbnail image of 26 pieces that had been previously been sold.

Northwood Alaska Blue Opalescent Glass Sugar & Creamer Circa 1898-1903

This site told me who made my pieces and what pattern this was. I did a bit of checking around to verify that this was correct information, beacause contary to popular belief just because it is on the internet does not necessarily make it correct information. 

I then looked around online and was suprised at how easy it is to fimd pieces avalable and at moderatly reasonable prices. 

Northwood Alaska Blue Opalescent Glass Creamer 

 I find this pattern truly beautiful and in my opinion it epitomizes the high Victorian tastes of the turn of the century.  The feet on these pieces are what are known as "Lion's Legs". 

Please note that these pieces were photographed before they were cleaned. There is some dust and a small amount of dirt that shows up in the images.  What looks like dirt also in the images is actually traces of what was once gilding on the edges.

Bottom detail of Northwood Alaska Blue Opalescent Glass Sugar Bowl

Blue Opalescent Glass Bowl Double Hobstar Design Eva

There was a third piece of glass, a bowl in the same blue opalescent type of glass. This piece has benn driving me crazy. I have looked in all my books and found nothing.  I have looked at a million pieces of glass online and not found anything at all in this pattern. This pattern has a double "hobstar" pattern that I just can not track down. Until someone can show me what it really is called I will refer to it as "Double Hobstar Eva"

Side Detail Double Hobstar Eva Bowl

This is a really great looking piece of glass that just radiates an almost magical opalescent inner glow. I am very curious as to who made this one, when, and what the pattern is called, if anything. Many patterns did not originally have names they were just given number designations such as pattern number 143.  Many times the names were added to the pattern because that was just what the collectors started calling a specific pattern. 

If anyone has any information about this piece please let me know.  

UPDATE:  I was told by  PatternGlass.Com, That this bowl is a one off piece and was not part of a pattern set. That is why I can not find a pattern name for it. So I guess I will call it the "Double Hobstar Eva" Bowl.  Many thanks to PatternGlass.Com!

A Few New Photos and a Frederic Remington Bronze at South Coast Antiques & Gallery

Here are a few new images of the shop that I took today.

This case has a variety of things  such as 19th century spelter figurines, a 1920's red flapper's box camera, 1870 top hat, Pre WWII boxed childs cutlery set, Pair of Victorian ivory paintings, Bristol ware glass, Santa Clara blackware pottery, Large sterling silver oval vanity mirror, assorted antique ivory jewelry and ornaments, including an African chiefs horn.  Also included are Japanese geisha doll, squash blossom necklace, a Harrach glass and gilt vase. Tiffany Favrile footed glass salt dip, Sterling Coach chain and lock necklace, 1860's gold and garnet necklace.  The bottom shelf has vintage Shearwater figurines which a very rare cabin shaped cookie jar, Fred Press original plaster art deco bust, A matched set of three Sea foam blue victorian opaline ware containers, Black Victorian mourning fan, Large niello sterling Siam belt, and a small grouping of early William Spratling jewelry, plus many other items.

In this case we have a very rare circa 1870's Ames sword company sign, a pre WWI Bavarian reservist regimental stein, early 1800s Ottoman Empire inlaid blunderbuss, a bone mounted late Mejii dagger, a Malaysian watered steel kris, African trade spear point, Spanish bone handed bull fighting sword, a shamshir, Spanish 1820s uprising briquet sword, very early Dragoon sword, 1840s single shot percussion pistol, a WWII  Japanese NCO's sword, a WWII Japanese officer's sword, rare pre-kerosene smugglers black out lantern, Austrian pioneers sword from the 1820s, 1840s newspapers masthead American eagle printers block, 19th century Persian tile, an image of an Italian Alpine trooper circa 1910, small bugle, early 1900s handcuffs, African dagger, German guild processional axe, WWII aircraft gun camera, a Spanish shipwreck coin and a very large Remington bronze mountain man sculpture.

This handy little corner cabinet has on top an Indian painted water bottle with folkloric scenes, and inside the case is a large Fenton art glass vase by Robert Barber, a white bronze Coptic cross with hand painted inset panels, A Victorian red on crystal basket, A Rosie O'Neal Kewpie cup, A scarce paper thin milk glass hand enamel painted beer stein circa 1820's, A hand painted wooden Russian peasant mug by Michael W, Moses, and a early 1900's creamware Mettlach, German stein, and on the bottom shelf is a mid 1950's Murano glass bowl. Next to the case is a French provincial style table from the turn of the century. On this table is a medium sized Persian samovar, a Japanesque American made caster set by Reed & Barton, An Egyptian motif oil lamp, a moss rose Japanese made 1950's coffee table set, a Japanese made lustreware bowl, and a set of circa 1910 Royal Doulton plate and bowls. Underneath the table is a 1930's fan and a coal fueled iron, a common flat iron, a tall reproduction fireplace trivet, and a vintage cooper tea pot. off to the side we see a early 1900's ships wheel and WWII liberty ship binnacle with compass and a matching set of craftsman leaded glass door panels circa 1915.  Well these are a few of the things that we currently have in stock at South Coast Antiques & Gallery!

Now for the big news. We have acquired a wonderful extremely fine casting of a Frederic Remington bronze. This wok of art is 28½ inches tall and is called the "Mountain Man".  This bronze sculpture is one of the finest quality Remington bronzes that we have ever seen! The detail is amazing. Every detail on this piece is just incredible. Everything from the liver sulfur patina to the exquisite mirror polished French slate base shows this to be a truly superior work of art.

"Mountain Man" by Frederic Remington

       

We at South Coast Antique & Gallery Wish You All a Very Merry Christmas!

Do Not Forget about the Christmas Dr.Who,

 The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe 

on 25 December 2011!

A Quick Visit to the Biloxi Lighthouse and the Fresnel Lens

Today we were driving by the Biloxi Lighthouse and it happened to be open so we decided to stop and have a bit of a visit!  Had a real enjoyable time. There were two very knowledgeable people working on site a gentleman at the entrance and a very attractive young woman at the top. We talked for awhile and I took a few quick images using the camera on my phone. Not great images, but they will give you an idea of the kind of moody, misty atmospheric morning that we were having. 

I had the chance to inspect the fresnel Lens up close. This was a real treat for me, being that I have had a life long interest in all manner of lighting devices and the fresnel Lens is one of the ultimate lamps!

The New Biloxi Visitors Center as seen from the top of the lighthouse

The fresnel Lens

The Beau Rivage Seen From the Biloxi Lighthouse

Biloxi Lighthouse stamp

The Biloxi Lighthouse through the years

A Visit to the New Biloxi, Mississippi Visitors center

This afternoon we went over to the new Biloxi, Mississippi visitors center to drop off some of our advertising cards for their big card display of things to do while visiting the area.  The new visitors center is surly a site to see in it's own rights.  A splendid over sized anti bellum style edifice that just reeks of southern hospitality.  Just look how nice a day it is. The weather is in the 70's and oh, so sunny.  Keep in mind that theses images were captured on Sunday, December 17th 2011.  If you're ever in the area stop on in and see what's happening in this area. Remember, it's easy to find just look for the old Biloxi lighthouse!

Biloxi, Mississippi visitors center

The View Out the Front Door at the Biloxi, Mississippi visitors center

Biloxi, Mississippi visitors center

Biloxi, Mississippi Light House

The Beau Rivage Seen From the

Biloxi, Mississippi visitors center

More About Antiques Plus, the New Antique Shop in D'Iberville, MS

The View as One Enters Antiques Plus

The Main Show Room at Antiques Plus

Here are a few images of the  new shop called "Antiques Plus". Located at 10340 D'Iberville Blvd. in D'Iberville, MS.  Located in the heart of D'Iberville on the beautiful Gulf Coast, this shop as you can well see is brightly lit and full of all types of nice quality antiques, vintage,collectable items, and jewelry. The middle of the shop has a number of consignment rooms and the back of shop has furniture.

One of the Consignment Rooms

 

Furniture in the Back Room

Beautiful  Fleur de Lis Handled Uranium glass

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"!