Wedding Gift Guide I
Weddings are such a positive celebration, the beginning of an exciting journey for a couple. Acquiring a timeless antique brings a piece of history into a home, each one with a rich and unique history to unfold. Gifts can be a personal expression, a conversation piece, something unique or memorable, and something useful is always appreciated! We have enjoyed assembling a unique collection for our Wedding Gift Guide, although these items can also make the perfect anniversary, birthday or retirement gift.
We are offering 20% off until June 30, 2021, see the price list.
Unique and Personal
My favourite gifts are those which are personal and unique. Finding an appropriate present which speaks to the personality of the recipient is an art, if you know their favourite pastimes it is fun to find something which incorporates this. Alternately, gifting something you love yourself is an intimate gesture.
Traditional tine boxes (pronounced teen-ah) originated in Norway and examples have been found in the remains of Viking ships as early as 840 A.D. These lunch boxes come in all shapes and sizes, can be plain or highly decorated, painted or intricately carved. They were often made as gifts, sometimes referred to as a 'Bride’s Box', and delicately carved or painted to show affection. This box opens by gently flexing the long tines to allow enough room to open the lid, the tension which otherwise keeps the lid firmly in place. Made in the bentwood style, this box has been painted with an overall rosemaling decoration.
Oval Norwegian wooden bentwood lunch box with lid, hand painted with rosemaling decoration, mid-19th century. Size: 6 h x 11 w x 6 d in
The Georgian book, or desk, box is useful for holding books, valuable papers, and writing utensils. Placed on a chest or table it is the precursor of the desk on frame and was a treasured personal item. This Regency example, made of rosewood and decorated with brass inlaid foliate decoration, is still an elegant and useful item today.
Regency rosewood book tray of rectangular form, with fixed handle, decorated with brass inlaid foliate decoration, circa 1820. Size: 6 ¼ h x 11 ¼ w x 9 d in
This painting is a staff favourite. It is a small gem which exudes light and warmth despite the winter setting.
A. Wilkie Kilgour (Canadian 1868-1930) ‘Spring Sunshine’ oil on panel, signed lower right "A. Wilkie Kilgour" and inscribed on reverse "Spring Sunshine/A. Wilkie Kilgour/28" and also on label. Size: 4 ¾ x 6 ¾ in (with frame 11 x 13 ¼ in)
Born in Brussels in 1809, François Van Severdonck is known for his detailed depictions of animals, genre scenes, landscapes and portraits. This example is painted on panel and is dated 1861.
François Van Severdonck (Belgian 1809-1889) ‘Sheep and Goat in Landscape with Chickens and Duck’ oil on panel, signed and dated lower left "Francois Van Severdonck 1861" Size: 6 ⅝ x 8 ⅞ in (with frame 11 ¾ x 13 ½ in)
Special
Our “Special” category contains treasures we love ourselves and which we feel would be most welcome in any household. Bright and cheery, useful, and striking, here are some of our favourites.
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Mogens Vantore began his formal training at the age of 14 at the Technical School in Copenhagen and was inspired by the Impressionist School, mainly Gauguin, Van Gogh and Cezanne. Vantore’s first exhibition was in 1912 at the age of 17 when he exhibited 25 landscapes and portraits and the exhibition was successful and highly praised. In 1923 Vantore moved to France and settled close to Paris in Nogent Sur Marne, in the house in which the French painter Watteau once lived. Upon his return to Denmark in 1925 Vantore became an uncensored exhibitor at the Charlottenborg Exhibitions (Royal Danish Academy) and spent most of his time in Copenhagen. Vantore’s strong palette of greens, yellows and blues was to become the signature of his work and only rarely do we see him straying from this boldness of colour. See all of Vantore’s Collection
Mogens Vantore (Danish 1895-1977) ‘Still Life with Plants, Sunflower and Bottle’ oil on canvas, signed lower right "M. Vantore 1946" Size: 28 ¾ x 34 ¾ in (with frame 35 x 41 in)
Born in Winnipeg, Lane Gordon Thorlakkson moved to Vancouver as a child. Working with clay was his passion, and he believed that ceramics should be viewed as Fine Art and not craft. Fascinated with Asian ceramics, in particular the Sung dynasty Chinese pot forms and glazes, he was invited to visit China to exhibit his work where he was celebrated and introduced to academics and the media. Local Chinese potters were eager to learn about his firing techniques, and were intrigued to understand how he designed his own stands as an integrated part of his presentation. Thorlakkson was inspired by the female form and was quoted as saying “Most potters make pots; I make parts of people”.
Lane Gordon Thorlaksson (Canadian 1937-2009) Pottery dish with wide flared edge, green and black glaze with custom made base, No. 30-55. Size: 3 ¼ h (5 with base) x 12 ¾ w in
Born in Ontario, Mildred Valley Thornton settled in Vancouver in the early 1930s where she became the art critic for the Vancouver Sun, a position she held for 16 years. She spent many years working among the First Nations people of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, attempting to recapture on canvas their vanishing culture. She was also honoured by two of the native tribes: the Kwakwaka'wakw made her a princess of the Clan Eagle and named her "Ah-ou-Mookht" meaning "she who wears the blanket because she is of noble birth", and the Cree named her "Owas-ka esk-ean" or "putting your best ability for us Indians". She died in Vancouver in 1967 at the age of 77...read more about Mildred Valley Thornton...
Mildred Valley Thornton (Canadian 1890-1967) ‘Jervis Inlet’ oil on canvas, signed lower left "Mildred Valley Thornton". Size: 30 ½ x 39 in (with frame 32 x 40 ½ in)
Historical
For those with a thirst for knowledge or history, we have gathered a selection of interesting and unique items. Enjoy these stories from far and wide, from the Arctic to Harrods in London, lessons on the Chinese forbidden stitch and some interesting local BC narratives.
Frederic Marlett Bell-Smith is a major figure in the development of Canadian art history. Part of a group known as the Railroad Painters, along with photographer William Notman Jr. and Lucius O’Brien, Bell-Smith was one of the first Canadian artists to take advantage of this promotional program organized by the President of the Canadian Pacific Railway. In his first formal excursion through the Rocky Mountains in 1887 on the newly built Canadian Pacific Railway, he strived to capture the sublime beauty and boldness of the rugged Canadian landscape. In painting these untamed landscapes he excelled at capturing the atmospheric effects created by the vast mist, endless lakes and cascading mountains that distinctly identified Canada in its early stages as a nation. Working mainly in watercolours, Bell-Smith’s traditional artistic training skills are exemplified in the detail found in all of his pieces from small to large scale. Each painting is delicate and refined, and treated with a distinctly charming composition.
Frederic Marlett Bell-Smith (Canadian 1846-1923) ‘The Wayfarer Resting’ watercolour on paper, signed lower right "F M Bell-Smith"
Rarely do we find sterling mugs without inscriptions and this Harrods example has a fascinating story behind it. The baluster for mug bears the mark of Richard Woodman Burbidge, whose name is synonymous with high quality silver from Harrods of which he was managing director from 1890-1917. He is also the creator of the Burbidge Baronetcy of Littleton Park and he is well known for the Harrods-Selfridge Wager Prize...read more...
Harrods sterling silver mug, Birmingham 1940, marked RWB for Richard Woodman Burbidge, and stamped “Harrods”
SOLD
Polar bears are greatly respected by the Inuit and symbolize resilience, patience and determination. Originally, Inuit carvings were produced, in large part, either for use in shamanic rituals or for the purpose of creating amulets, and were carved from bone, antler or stone. In later years, Inuit artists created carvings for the ‘tourist’ market, increasing the size of the pieces and primarily carving from soapstone to try and keep up with the demand. This demand was further increased after artist James Houston brought Inuit art to The Canadian Handicrafts Guild in Montreal, resulting in sponsored exhibitions in the 1950’s and 60’s which gained international interest.
Carved Inuit soapstone figure of a bear kneeling on one knee with head turned and upper limbs held out, late 20th century.
SOLD
The Forbidden Stitch is known as the 'French Knot' or 'Seed Stitch', and also named the 'Peking Knot'. It is rumoured that working this stitch made the seamstress blind therefore the government forbade it, but it is likely that it is named after the Forbidden City. The term refers to small knots stitched on the fabric surface by wrapping a heavy embroidery thread, usually silk floss, around a needle and stitching it down. This is achieved with varying degrees of complexity. The stitch resembles a minute circle and is formed by winding a loop around a thread several times and then pulling it tight. The stitches are massed together to form decorations (usually in the form of plants, flowers, birds and butterflies) to cover a large area. The stitch was used for exotic costumes and textiles, including lavish robes and lotus foot slippers. The art vanished with the Qing Dynasty in 1911 when these ceremonial items became obsolete.
Pair of embroidered sleeve bands encased in frame, decorated with forbidden stitch. Size: 27 x 14 ¼ in (with frame 27 ¾ x 15 in)
Charles John Collings is one of BC’s hidden treasures. Born in Devon, England in 1848, he started painting at the age of fourteen, but it was not until his mid-forties that he began producing work seriously. He exhibited at the Royal Academy and elsewhere and began to teach in 1897 and held several one man shows. At the age of sixty-two, Collings was looking for a change of scenery and immigrated to Canada in 1910 with his wife and two sons. They settled on the remote Seymour Arm of Shuswap Lake where the family built an English Tudor country house. It was here that Collings found his true and lasting inspiration for his artwork. He perfected his technique using paper soaked in water then mixing the colours directly on the paper. Collings sketched 'en plein air' but created the finished works in his studio; thus giving his imagination free reign. Because of his pioneer life and solitude in the mountains, the Collings family returned to England briefly in 1920 but soon returned to Shuswap and the English home they had forged out of the Canadian wilds, which still stands today. Collings continued to paint and travel throughout Western Canada and made trips to Nipigon and Niagara. Always an ardent climber, he hiked the Rockies and the Selkirks actively until his death at the age of 83. Throughout his life and in his work, Collings demonstrated a love of nature and an incredible ability to express its grandeur.
Charles John Collings (Canadian 1848-1931) ‘In the Rockies’ watercolour, signed with monogram lower left. Size: 7 ½ x 5 ½ in (with frame 14 ½ x 12 in)
Charles John Collings (Canadian 1848-1931) ‘Clearing up on the Shuswap’ watercolour, signed with monogram lower left, title inscribed on reverse along with exhibition number 1316. Size: 5 ½ x 7 ½ in (with frame 13 x 15 ½ in)
Charles John Collings (Canadian 1848-1931) ‘At Harrison Springs, BC’ watercolour, signed lower left with monogram, inscribed on label on back from Western Art Association. Size: 5 x 6 ¾ in (with frame 10 ½ x 12 ¼ in)
Wayne Ngan is one of the most recognisable names in North American ceramics. Having exhibited in public and private exhibition across Canada and throughout the world, Ngan’s work has come to represent the excellence of ceramics produced in British Columbia. He won many honours in his lifetime including the 1983 Ngan Saidye Bronfman Award for Masters of the Crafts and the 2013 British Columbia Creative Achievement Award of Distinction. Most recently his pieces were included in the Modern in the Making: Post-War Craft and Design in British Columbia at the Vancouver Art Gallery. During his life he regularly exhibited in New York, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and across Canada and the USA. Upon his passing in 2020 he was recognised by the Globe and Mail with an extensive article on his life, art, and influence on contemporary ceramics.
Wayne Ngan (Canadian 1937-2020) tall stoneware pottery vase, grey glaze with incised vertical grass forms and central horizontal lines, signed on bottom, Provenance: purchased directly from the artist. Size: 14 ½ h x 6 w x 6 d in
Wayne Ngan (Canadian 1937-2020) ceramic globular octagonal brush stroke low vase, with grey, white and terracotta glazes, signed with seal on foot, Provenance: purchased directly from the artist
Size: 6 ¾ h x 7 ½ w x 7 ½ d in
Practical Antiques Gift Ideas
There is always someone on your list who enjoys a more practical gift. While antiques can be unique they can also be useful for everyday living.
Every home can use a storage box and this Austrian silver box is as elegant as they come and we are certain that Marie Kondo would approve of this beautiful table top box. Proportioned to hold important papers, in today’s more technologically forward home this would make a useful space to corral phone chargers, remote controls, tablets, or phones. Placed in an entrance it would serve as a catch all so that you can always find the keys. In a bedroom it could hold jewellery or your vintage watch collection. This box has endless uses and would be a welcome addition to any home.
Austrian silver (830) box with embossed decoration, opening to a wooden liner and complete with key, circa 1920
These are a personal favourite, the glass liners making the baskets useful for either flowers or serving nuts etc. So elegant and the touch of blue makes them as stand alone items when not in use.
Pair of sterling silver baskets with handles, fitted with blue liners, possibly German late 19th century
Utilized since the Stone Age, a mortar and pestle is one of the most useful tools in any kitchen, and modern foodies still find this an indispensable tool for crushing spices and grinding ingredients into a powder. This 18th century brass example was most likely used by an apothecary to prepare medicine, but for today’s kitchen use is perfect for preparing pesto, etc.
Antique brass apothecary mortar and pestle, European late 18th century, pestle 9" long
Size: 5 h x 6 w x 5 ⅜ d in
This Georgian mahogany bow front chest of drawers has four drawers and a brush slide. The drawers are fitted with a 157-piece set of German Bebruder Reiner silver flatware.
Georgian mahogany bow front chest of four drawers with brush slide, English circa 1800, fitted with 157-piece set of German Gebruder Reiner silver (800) flatware. Size: 33 ½ h x 22 w x 36 ¾ d in
157-piece set of German Gebruder Reiner silver (800) flatware.
Blue Fluted Plain was Royal Copenhagen's first dinner service, designed in 1775 and revised in the 1880's by Arnold Krog. Today, it is one of the world’s most famous and desirable porcelain sets. Blue Fluted Plain is still produced as it has been since the beginning, where each piece is treated as a piece of art and is lovingly painted by hand. This comport is decorated with the Half Lace pattern, which is no longer in production.
Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Half Lace pattern Tazza or comport #513, Danish 1935. Size: 6 h x 8 ½ w x 8 ½ d in
Style
The pure, clean lines associated with the Danish Modern movement have endured from the mid 20th century origins and are ever more popular with today’s young couples. Scandinavian design, characterized by simplicity and functional minimalism, emerged in the early 20th century, flourished mid century and continues to be a major inspiration to this day. To understand the movement one must study what influences shaped key designers such as Georg Jensen and made them prolific disseminators of Scandinavian design. Read more about Scandinavian design...
Designed in 1953, the minimalist lines, pure proportions and excellent craftsmanship of this flatware make this the perfect gift for anyone decorating with a modernist aesthetic.
Set of Georg Jensen 133 piece Cypress Pattern sterling flatware, designed in 1953 by Mathias Gerhard “Tias” Eckhoff
This stunning large sterling silver centrepiece bowl was designed by Alphonse La Paglia for International Sterling in the late 1940's or early 1950's. The elegant and pure lines make it perfect either as a stand alone object, or as a centrepiece for flowers or fruit.
International Sterling La Paglia Bowl Design #139 35-1
This classic modern Danish pitcher is a stylish yet useful gift. The pear shaped body is elegant and sophisticated, and the 1 litre capacity make it useful for wine, or water, on any table.
Danish sterling silver pitcher with pear shaped body and integrated handle, designed by Kay Fisker (1893-1965) and produced by A. Michelsen. Marked with year stamp L9 for 1962.