Did you Know
Beginning in the 4th Dynasty, attempts were made to stiffen and mold the outer layer of linen mummification bandages to cover the faces of the deceased, and to empathize prominent facial features in paint. This fragile material was especially favored for creating masks and other…
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Named from the Old French word "estuier," meaning "to keep or hold," an étui is a very versatile item. These ornamental cases could be made of any material, from precious metals like gold or silver, to exotic materials such as tortoiseshell or shargreen, or shark's skin. Though many were…
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Enamel is not paint. It is actually a thin coat of glass applied to a metal which melts and becomes fused to the metal when heated. Careful consideration to melting point must be made when pairing enamels to metals, which traditionally were gold, silver and copper. The piece must be fired…
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The sophisticated use of oyster veneer was a striking innovation that William III brought to English furniture from Holland at the end of the 17th century. In this process, paper-thin cross sections cut from the roots and small branches of trees, their concentric rings resembling oyster…
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Originating in the 1790s, Davenport desks were first made by the renowned Gillows of Lancaster and London cabinetmakers at the request of a Captain Davenport. They were produced in all stylistic varieties of the period, but Regency versions are some of the most sought-after by collectors.…
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Lorestan (Luristan) bronze refers to a set of Early Iron Age bronze artifacts that have been recovered from the Lorestan and Kermanshah areas in west-central Iran. Believed to have been produced either by the Cimmerians or by Indo-European peoples of Media or Persia, they include a great…
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Glass was one of the most popular and useful materials in nearly every aspect of daily life in ancient Rome. Though the Romans did not invent glass, they revolutionized its production, particularly with the invention of glassblowing in the 1st century B.C.E., and mold-blowing, or blowing…
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Without question, Paul Storr is considered one of history's finest smiths, and he is known for perfecting the works, styles and designs of the Regency period. From his Neoclassical masterpieces to his exuberant, ornate vessels, Storr imparted a level of craftsmanship and superior quality…
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Reed & Barton, established in 1824, is one of the oldest silver manufacturing firms in the United States. They have long been an industry leader and pioneer in the art of silversmithing. The "Francis I" pattern is their most recognized achievement, featuring 15 different…
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René Lalique remains one of the most popular sculptors of the Art Deco period, and glass aficionados and amateur collectors alike continue to marvel at the grace, magnificence and accuracy of his creations the world over. A significant contributor to the Art Deco movement, he is not…
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