What were snuff boxes used for? Snuff boxes were used to carry and protect snuff (i.e. dried tobacco leaves) for inhaling through the nose. The most collectible snuff boxes are those made of gold, silver, or tortoiseshell. Others made of crystal are also highly sought after, as are those with mounts in the form of […]
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French cabinet maker Andre-Charles boulle Andre-Charles boulle, a French cabinet-maker, was the most renowned of Louis XIV’s many artisans. Boulle worked as a designer and director of bronze operations for royal projects at the Gobelins manufactory. He was cabinetmaker to King Louis xiv from 1672 through 1715. He made an immense fortune thanks to his appointments […]
What is an antique Bergere chair? Berger chairs were made in France during the 18th Century, usually of oak. They are quite large, and armchairs often have a canopy over them. The most common style is that with high arms but there are other variations – some very plain others having carved decoration on the […]
What glue can I use on antique wood? If you’ve ever tried to repair furniture, whether it’s a treasured antique heirloom hoisted up from the basement or an IKEA item purchased at the local big-box store, you may have found yourself wondering what kind of glue is best for fixing and patching. Is wood glue […]
Gilded vs Gold Plated vs Gold Filled If you have discovered the difference between gold, gold plated, gilded, and solid gold rings, then you will know there are indeed different types of “gold” or other metal alloys used for jewelry. There is no industry standard about what type of metal alloy must be used to […]
Who invented the longitude clock? The credit for inventing the marine chronometer, an essential piece of equipment that enabled accurate navigation at sea, must go to John Harrison. His marine chronometer, H1, was first tested in 1736, and improved versions went on to help Captain James Cook on his voyages of discovery and were used […]
Seth Thomas clocks. The name alone evokes the 19th century. Often associated with fine American manufacturing, these iconic timepieces have been restored and are prized by collectors worldwide. But there’s much more to the story of this Connecticut company than its famous clockworks – including a long-forgotten side business in early phonographs! The Seth Thomas […]
Antique clock movements The clock movement is probably the least appreciated and understood piece of machinery that went into a clock. The design of the movements was for over three hundred years rudimentary, with only the escapement changing from verge to anchor and back again. It wasn’t until the late nineteenth century that there was […]
Antique clocks a good investment? The short answer is No. The long answer is Yes, but it’s a risky proposition. Antique clocks are generally not the kind of thing you buy to make money from them. Not to say that all antique clocks will lose you money (ask me how I know), but it does […]
The ormolu clock is a type of clock that is decorated with ornamental brass. This kind of decoration was very popular in the 18th century. It is based on an Italian technique: guilloche. The French did not miss it, and they did their best to improve this art by making the guilloche more elaborate and […]