Sunday, August 19, 2012
Pablo Picasso lived a personal life that's as interesting as his art.
Picasso's life story offers nearly as much adventure, excitement, and intrigue as the tales surrounding his works of art. Comparatively, Pablo Picasso's social antics of the 1910s through the 1970s would make the likes of Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and Lindsay Lohan seem angelic. Picasso's various relationships contributed not only to his star status in the art world but also to his use of personal subjects in his long artistic career. Born in Malaga, Spain in 1881, Pablo Picasso moved to Paris to study art. In 1904, after establishing a career as an artist there, Picasso began a long term relationship with Fernande Olivier. Olivier became a model for his Rose period paintings completed between 1904 and 1906. This relationship ended …
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Bakelite to Mickey Mouse Gas Masks, Dr. Lori explores some weird and interesting 20th-century collectible wonders
Since I appraise all types of antiques, I provide a variety of information about a wide array of objects. I try to dispel the myths that are notorious in my field. Here, I’ll share some antiques information from diverse areas of the collecting field. Did you know these facts about art, antiques, and collectibles from the 1900s? In the early years of the 1900s, gathering in the parlor around the hearth was a longstanding tradition in many American homes. This cultural phenomenon inspired the architectural designs of the famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright who reminded us to focus on family and the fireplace. Many of Wright’s famous buildings were focused on a design element centering on the hearth. In fact, this idea dating back to the …
Monday, July 9, 2012
Dr. Lori takes a look at the very competitive world of Olympic collectibles.
While the Olympic Games originated in the ancient world, they still stir great worldwide excitement today. I have appraised many collectibles associated with the Olympic Games over the years including pins, sponsor apparel, press tickets to individual events, stadium equipment (a field-used track hurdle and baton), and even a torch carried in the famous relay that transports the Olympic flame from ancient Greece to the host city. Recently, I appraised Olympic memorabilia during one of my many trips to Atlanta, where I tape Discovery’s Auction Kings tv show. Atlanta was the American host city for the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympics in 1996 and the city’s residents have some special Olympic collectibles. Recently, the NBC tv station…
Monday, July 2, 2012
Dr. Lori tells the early history of our country through a lens of Red, White and Blue.
At my antiques appraisal events, I review many American flags. Made of wool, cotton, and even silk, our country’s beloved flag—affectionately known as the Stars and Stripes - is celebrated in many forms. When we think of antique flags, the famous Betsy Ross 13-star wreath pattern flag comes to mind. However, there is little documentation that confirms that Betsy Ross, from her home on Arch Street in Philadelphia actually designed or sewed such a flag. There is no definitive information that states that Ross’ flag was the first American flag design. While we have definitive information that the famous 13-star (representing our original colonies) flag highlighted by a circular wreath format was produced circa 1890. That was the time when …
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Dr. Lori takes us on a tour of the Swedish city’s cultural wonders.
Stockholm, Sweden is known for its beauty and history. The city’s best known site is probably the three golden crowns which sit atop the Stadshuset. Since 1901, the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony is held in the Stadshuset’s main banquet hall amid an 18-million piece golden mosaic. The museums of Stockholm are vast and diverse. Museums are housed in historic houses, contemporary architectural marvels, and even in the subway. Art in the subway is an underground art exhibit. The Stockholm subway system is known as the world’s longest art exhibition running 110 kilometers. There was a competition in 1950 to decorate the individual stations; this continues today. The museum with the distinction of being the most-visited museum in all of Sweden is …
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Dr. Lori shares how the history of some Western springtime traditions may just have roots in Eastern traditions - and how some Eastern traditions should become new Western ones.
In China, the new year celebrations coincide with the spring festival and some of the festivities are grounded in some golden rules that we should all consider, no matter the date on the calendar. Practice what you Preach The ancient Chinese wanted good luck to shine on them. As such, in many aspects of their fascinating culture, they work to invite good luck into their lives. One way that the Chinese people invite good luck is to speak only positive words. Negativity is not fashionable and neither are curse words, particularly during the spring when nature displays all of its glory. Happy and positive are the buzz words of the season. Celebrating the Spring Season In ancient Chinese homes, as in the western world, certain objects are …
Sunday, November 27, 2011
An international tour of Elizabeth Taylor's collection of fashion and arts will make its way to New York in early December.
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Sunday, November 27, 2011
Throughout the fall of 2011 at sites around the globe, there will be a series of public exhibitions and events leading up to the sale of the vast collection of the late Elizabeth Taylor. The three month-long tour of highlights from Taylor’s immense private collection will begin in September of 2011. The traveling exhibition will make stops in major global centers such as London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Geneva, Paris, Dubai, and Hong Kong. At the tour’s New York finale, from December 3 thru 12, there will be an exhibition featuring The Elizabeth Taylor Collection of jewelry, fashion, decorative arts, and movie memorabilia. At the close of that exhibition, Christie’s will embark upon four days of auctions, from Dec. 13 thru 16, to sell off …
Monday, October 31, 2011
Tonight is All Hallow's Eve, and with good reason – tomorrow many will honor the spirits of past loved ones.
In many countries around the world, the Day of the Dead holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to memorialize deceased friends and relatives. While the ceremony can be traced back to the indigenous people of North America, the holiday is observed in Mexico, the United States, Spain, Brazil, Asia, and Africa. The event relates to All Saints’ Day and All Soul’s Day on the Roman Catholic calendar. The Day of the Dead takes place on the feast days of Nov. 1 and 2. On Nov. 1, at the break of dawn, the spirited events begin. Relatives of the deceased visit and decorate the graves of loved ones. Offerings will be displayed in homes and in the places of business. Private altars are constructed in the home of the family of the deceased…
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Dr. Lori gives some tips on how to keep your fine China looking fine.
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Sunday, October 23, 2011
When it comes to fine china, the phrase ‘handle with care’ couldn’t be more important. Everyone knows that china is fragile. Fine china — be it Meissen, Wedgwood, or Royal Copenhagen — should be used with care. Don’t place fine china in the dishwasher, refrigerator, or microwave. If you chose to display your fine china in a china cabinet, give your collection breathing room. Do not stack plates more than six plates high and place separators in between each piece. Display teacups atop their saucers. Don’t hang teacups on hooks within a china cabinet since that display option places undue stress on the teacup’s handle and forces you to screw a hook into your wooden china cabinet, damaging the furniture. A full set of fine china should be …
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Dr. Lori offers some ‘money saving tips and little known tricks’ to keeping the highest value of your valuable antiques.
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Sunday, October 16, 2011
You don’t need to invest in expensive products in order to protect, clean, or display your fine art or antiques. We all have to watch our pennies in today’s economy, so here are some money saving tips and little known tricks to keep your antiques in tip top shape. Storing Your Antiques Many of my audience members have complained that acid free tissue paper, a staple for storing antiques and collectibles, is too expensive. Plain white towel paper and plain coffee filters can, in some cases, be substituted more cheaply. One of the most time saving, useful, and inexpensive items on the market is the coffee filter. A generic, plain white coffee filter can be used in many ways and help antiques lovers preserve their heirlooms. Cleaning Your …
kate c
7:36 pm on Monday, August 13, 2012
LOVE to see what unique things Dr. Lori has to share with us! Thanks for the fun and educational articles! more ›