Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Sha'arai Shomayim Cemetery Mobile, Alabama

The entrance gate to Sha'arai Shomayim.

I discovered the Sha'arai Shomayim Cemetery or Gates of Heaven   about 3 months go. It  is a historic Jewish cemetery located across the street from the more famous Magnolia Cemetery. The word Sha'arai Shomayim translates to Gates of Heaven. This beautify cemetery is hidden off of a main road and very few people in Mobile know about it. Although I grow up in the neighborhood close by the cemetery I did not know about it until I read about it in a book on historic Mobile cemetery's. This place  is a very well preserved 19th century cemetery with century's old live oak trees, intricate marble monuments and mid 19th century mail order cast iron. I love the cast iron gazebo in the middle of the cemetery. This would be a nice place to have lunch one day.     

Sha'arai Shomayim Cemetery is a historic Jewish cemetery located in Mobile, Alabama, United States. It was established by Congregation Sha'arai Shomayim in 1876 after their previous cemetery, Jewish Rest in the adjacent Magnolia Cemetery, was filled to capacity. The cemetery is situated on 15 acres (6.1 ha) and is surrounded by a 19th century cast-iron fence and live oak trees. The entrance is through an ornamental arched gate inscribed with the congregation name in Hebrew letters.

The gates feature the Star of David on the gate post.








The Eichold-Haas-Brown mausoleum It was designed by architect George B. Rogers and features many Middle Eastern design motifs and the Star of David.


A lawn-covered central avenue divides the cemetery and features a large 1870's cast-iron gazebo in the center.

19th century cast-iron urn

A lawn-covered central avenue divides the cemetery and features a large 1870's cast-iron gazebo in the center.

A cst-iron stag head basket at top

A lawn-covered central avenue divides the cemetery and features a large 1870's cast-iron gazebo in the center.

Detail of 1870's cast-iron gazebo in the center.


19th century catalog showing a cast iron gazebo similar to the one in the cemetery. Note the stag head basket at top

19th century catalog showing a cast iron gazebo similar to the one in the cemetery. Note the stag head basket at top



My boyfriend Jason posing on a 19th century urn

After knowing my new boyfriend Jason for a few weeks I showed him my hidden spot. He rested in the cool shade of the 19th century Gazebo




A 19th century Urn


The Leinkauf monument, one of the many markers representing the Ark of the Covenant.





The Lowenstein mausoleum, an example of Egyptian Revival architecture

The Lowenstein mausoleum, an example of Egyptian Revival architecture

The Lowenstein mausoleum, an example of Egyptian Revival architecture

A Jewish custom of placing colored stones on the graves.  

Friday, May 27, 2011

Today's purchases

19th century French Ormolu gilt bronze Louis XVI style shelf clock inset with rich cobalt blue glass. Circa 1860-1870.

Actually I did not purchase this clock today but about a month ago. Since I have been out of the loop I'm behind on my "Today's purchase" So I'm trying to play catch up. 2 months ago I was at the monthly estate sale I go to when I bumped into a good friend that had just open an antique shop in Pensacola, FL.




He asked if I wanted to visit his shop for the day and I agreed to go. His antique shop is located around other shops and antique Malls in the area. I had a chance to walk to them. I'm glad I did because I happen upon this fabulous 19th century Ormolu gilt bronze Louis XVI style shelf clock inset with rich cobalt blue glass. Circa 1860-1870. The clock had problems as it was missing pieces and did not work but the price was $20.00 bucks! Me being me I asked for a discount as I ran up to pay for it. The sweet old lady pointed out that every thing in the booth was 20% off the already low price. Making the clock $16.00. I ran back to the booth to grab a Vintage chalk bust of French Queen Marie Antoinette. Totaling my purchases to $19.00 and some change. I'm in the Antique World a piece like this clock is called a shelf piece as it was once a very fine valuable piece at one time. Due to it condition the value is greatly reduced but the piece would still look nice in a shelf.

The clock has amazing Louis XVI details like pastille burners, goats heads, ribbons and rosettes  

The clock has amazing Louis XVI details like pastille burners, goats heads, ribbons and rosettes  

The clock has amazing Louis XVI details like pastille burners, goats heads, ribbons and rosettes  

The clock has amazing Louis XVI details like pastille burners, goats heads, ribbons and rosettes  

The French clock on my 1820's Federal Mobile, Alabama Plantation desk

Vintage chalk bust of French Queen Marie Antoinette


I still had one more acquisition to make and that was in my friends shop I spotted a 1840's American Empire Classical Rosewood piano stool marked a low price of $35.00 We decided to trade a piece of old Paris porcelain I put on consignment in his shop.

A 1840's American Empire Classical Rosewood piano stool

When I bought the piano stool it was upholstered in a 1960's ugly fake tapestry. I upholstered it in a Antique emerald green silk velvet. The top part of the stool is faux grained rosewood but the bottom part is rosewood.

At the end of the day I had spent less the $20.00 dollars and had beautiful items for my home.