Today I went on a trip to Buchanan's Flea Market, a new venue for me. The market is held here in Dallas at Fair Park and I had been looking forward to going.
Here's a blurb from their website:
"This monthly market originated in January 1995 and has grown to be one of the finest and most respected antique and collectible markets in the United States. Featuring more than 85,000 square feet filled with antiques and collectibles dealers from across the United States and Europe, this market is visited by thousands of eager-to-buy customers and collectors each month. Many of our customers travel to Dallas from around the country just to visit our show!"
My 4 Purchases totalled a whopping $9. Here's what I got for the money:
1.)
Rose Pendant marked " Eggert 925 S Denmark."
I was stunned that nobody had snatched this piece up sooner. Yes, it looks at first like a worn and tarnished lump, but upon closer inspection... it is a delicate rosebud in silver, the details excruciatingly precise. I didn't have my laptop with me at the market, but I guessed that what I held in my hands was something I already have in my possession... a casting of a live plant in silver.
Here's what the research turned up:
The Website: http://www.floradanica.com/web/historien.php
The history of Flora Danica goes back to 1953, when Orla Eggert and his wife Grethe Eggert, the founders of Flora Danica Jewellery, established the company in Copenhagen. Before entering into the Jewellery business, Orla and Grethe had travelled in Europe performing as professional dancers in the biggest nightclubs and Varieties. When a baby daughter brought the free life as travelling artists to a halt, Orla Eggert needed to find a new way of earning a living for his family.
Inspired by the beauty of the autumn leaves slowly dropping from the trees against a low autumn sun, Orla Eggert developed the idea to make jewellery based on the unique design created by nature. The first pieces of Flora Danica Jewellery was based on copper plating of flowers and leaves which after being skilfully turned into jewellery by craftsmen was coated with 24 ct of gold. However, the copper was soon replaced by Sterling Silver, which also today forms the basis of each individual piece of Flora Danica Jewellery.
The production of jewellery started in humble surroundings in Orla Eggert´s small kitchen, but the demand for the jewellery grew quickly, and since then the company has occupied different premises. Today Flora Danica Jewellery is manufactured in our modern workshop located in Copenhagen.
Flora Danica is still a family company where second and third generation continues the family traditions of manufacturing high quality jewellery and maintaining a reputation of high quality and customer service.
More spectacular events have highlighted our company’s history. In 1992 Flora Danica Jewellery was asked by the Royal Court to manufacture a special memory Brooch personally designed by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. The broach was composed of wheat spikes resting on a beech leave, symbols of Denmark’s nature and agricultural traditions. The brooch was presented as a personal gift from the Queen to all the Ladies attending Her Majesty’s Silver Anniversary.
Inspired by the beauty of the autumn leaves slowly dropping from the trees against a low autumn sun, Orla Eggert developed the idea to make jewellery based on the unique design created by nature. The first pieces of Flora Danica Jewellery was based on copper plating of flowers and leaves which after being skilfully turned into jewellery by craftsmen was coated with 24 ct of gold. However, the copper was soon replaced by Sterling Silver, which also today forms the basis of each individual piece of Flora Danica Jewellery.
The production of jewellery started in humble surroundings in Orla Eggert´s small kitchen, but the demand for the jewellery grew quickly, and since then the company has occupied different premises. Today Flora Danica Jewellery is manufactured in our modern workshop located in Copenhagen.
Flora Danica is still a family company where second and third generation continues the family traditions of manufacturing high quality jewellery and maintaining a reputation of high quality and customer service.
More spectacular events have highlighted our company’s history. In 1992 Flora Danica Jewellery was asked by the Royal Court to manufacture a special memory Brooch personally designed by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. The broach was composed of wheat spikes resting on a beech leave, symbols of Denmark’s nature and agricultural traditions. The brooch was presented as a personal gift from the Queen to all the Ladies attending Her Majesty’s Silver Anniversary.
When I look closely at the piece, I do see some places where traces of the yellow-gold plating haven't worn completely off. But the wear on the piece leads me to believe that it was one of the first run casts in 1953. Either that, or my new pendant has had a very hard and active life. the pictures one finds on the website of their modern jewelry, frankly aren't enough to hold my interest. Too modern, too tame and too yellow-gold. But imagine, if you will, a chunkier, wilder cousin, who is unafraid how someone would perceive them. Beautiful or ugly, you decide.
2.)
Camelot " Carnelian horse and carousel" pendant
I dont normally go in for yellow metal, but the "Carnelian horse" stunned me here. A good carving in the orange stone depicts a horse, and trappings of gold-toned material create a front that is detailed, and resembling an ornate cage. The carnelian horse hangs suspended behind it's cheap but fillegreed cage. The gold tone has not started to wear off the metal yet. Either the piece has been well cared for, or it is not that old. With careful preservation... that will not happen. On the bottom is tha hallmark "Camelot". So far, nothign useful has turned up when searching after the "Camelot" company, so I will divulge into a bit of history about the semi-precious stone, Carnelian.
Folklore suggests that carnelian was used protect the traveler after death and guard against evil. Carnelian's healing properties are thought to help purify the blood, relieve menstrual cramps and back pain. It is also thought to be beneficial in the treatment of infertility and is worn to enhance passion and desire.
Carnelian is a 7 on the Mohs scale and has been used for centuries to carve beautiful cameos. It is found in Australia, Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, South Africa, and the USA
Carnelian was used widely during Roman times 2,000 years before the present era to make signet or seal rings for imprinting a seal with wax on correspondence or other important documents. Hot wax does not stick to Carnelian. The word carnelian is derived from the Latin word meaning horn, in reference to the flesh color sometimes exhibited.
3.)
Antique 'fix-it' clasp with loose pink glass stone
This was something I almost didnt get, but eventually got for free. It is just a clasp, but since I make and re-fashion jewels, it was intriguing to me. The pink stone ( chipped, and I'm sure it's glass) is currently setting back into the socket it fell out of. This ia a long oval clasp.. the kind where you have a little "tab" that fit's securely into the bigger piece when you insert it. The back is marked "Checkoslovakia" and the oval sides are imprinted with what I would call a Wheat pattern. When it is all said and done, I might use this clasp for a necklace I will make for the Eggert rose.
4.)
Gold-flecked blue glass stone pendant with nouveau design.
This is the hardest to dicern... and more puzzling since I have a foil-backed orange stone with the same surrounding nouveau design as this pendant. There are no markings. It is about as big as my thumbnail. The glass stone is chabochon in it's setting. Around it is a bigger oval of thin metal, and at the North, South, East and Western points of this tiny Pendant are a design of leaves, in clusters of three. I wish I knew the maker!
No comments:
Post a Comment