Today's purchases

A mid 19th century 1860's rare gold gilt Bohemian Emerald glass chalice with miniature portraits of Queen Victoria's children, placed on my home alter

Last weekend was fabulous at the monthly estate sale I attend each month. The sale featured good quality 19th century glass that I latter found out was deassession from The New Orleans Museum of Art.  Last week was my birthday so I celebrated all week. With all of the merriment going on I did not get up in time to be at the 8am opening of the sale. This was the first time I was late on the first day as I did not make it there until after 3pm. I was skeptical about anything thing cheep and good being left at that late hour. I was quickly surprised when my roommate presented me with a mid 19th century 1860's rare gold gilt portrait Bohemian Emerald glass chalice he had found on the fifteen dollar table. As I walked up to it I thought I had won the lottery. As  I looked over it one of the workers came up to us to let us know the two beautifully painted portrait miniature on the piece were two of Queen Victoria's children.  Then the owner of the estate sale came up to also inform us that a pair of the same chalice shaped object de art had sold at Sotheby's New York for $6,500. This one was only worth about $15. as it was broken on the cup and repaired but the damage was not noticeable unless looking down into the piece. Bohemian Emerald glass is very rare as red was the most popular color. I have a bigger chalice shape vase and a trumpet shape vase in this color.

A mid 19th century 1860's rare gold gilt Bohemian Emerald glass chalice with miniature portraits of Queen Victoria's children, placed on my home alter

This miniature portrait of Queen Victoria's daughter is after a painting after Winterhalter

 A set of 15 early American pressed Flint glass wine glasses in the Huber pattern 1860's

I was happy to see a set of 15 early American pressed Flint glass wine glasses in the Huber pattern for $3 each. retail they are worth $40-$75 each. This pattern was one of the early elegantly plain patterns. I chose it as my pattern because it is plane and elegant and sets off the mostly ornate silver and porcelain of the same period. When I decided to make this my pattern I was picking up wine glasses for $1 each at goodwill stores but only collect 3 up to this time now I have 18 wine glasses. This pattern was first introduced in 1859 and was very popular thru out the 1860's, It was originally made in flint, & later in non-flint, after 1870.

Flint glass refers to glass made with powdered flint & later lead, produced in the United States & the United Kingdom from the 1820s through the 1860s. The term, "flint glass", was given to better glassware, perfected in England, because powdered flint was added to the glass formula to improve clarity.

At a later date, a lead compound was added and it was found that it gave the glass much more clarity, resonance, and weight. Soon after, the powdered flint was dropped from the glass mixture, but the name was entrenched in vernacular. Flint glass was the fine glassware of the times and the name & the process were both spread to America in the 1840s.

Prior to the early 1800s, glassware was made by an intensive & expensive hand blown method. However in the 1820s a new invention led to pressing glass in molds.
 

15 early American pressed Flint glass wine glasses in the Huber pattern 1860's

1830's-1850's French Baccarat crystal glass with upside down tear drop bubble stem made poplar by Baccarat during the early Victorian period. This lovely glass was on the dollar table

1830's-1850's French Baccarat crystal glass with upside down tear drop bubble stem made poplar by Baccarat during the early Victorian period. This lovely glass was on the dollar table

I thought this fabulous  gold and white platter was early 19th century period Empire Old Paris porcelain. Until I turned it over and saw the Pittoria, Richard Ginori, ITALY mark. Decorated in the Neoclassical style with gold gilt Palmetto motif and scroll border it was a steal for five bucks. My only regret is a matching larger round platter was on the ten dollar table but I was too cheep to get it and did not return on 60% off day Sunday to see if it was still available.

I love the Neoclassical style with gold gilt Palmetto motif and scroll border. The gold is worn just like 19th century Paris Porcelain

I just love this late 18th century early 19th century English tea cup gilded with intricate natural pattens was $3

I just love this late 18th century early 19th century English tea cup gilded with intricate natural pattens was $3