A Beautiful Sewing Box

A recent, proud addition to Graham Smith Antiques is this beautiful Victorian sewing box.  This box is special for a number of reasons, among them the love of labour gone into the making of the piece and the insight the engraved plaque on the inside reveals.  From the photograph below you can see there are several exquisite specimens of rosewood, mahogany and birch, inlaid to create this timeless design.    The detail and skill applied to this piece is greatly evident from every angle, making it well worth a closer look.

For further information about our antiques please visit our new and improved website, or better yet, pop into our shop in the leafy suburb of Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne.

You can also follow us on Twitter or Facebook for regular updates, photographs and insight into the antiques business.

Bristol Blue Glass

At Graham Smith Antiques we love knowing the history behind our antiques and in the case of the Bristol Blue Glass we have in store, we are talking about literally hundred's of years of history - an interesting item indeed. It cannot be said for sure when the first Bristol Blue Glass was made. However, during the late 18th century a Bristol merchant and potter by the name of Richard Champion teamed up with chemist William Cookworthy to create a blue glaze for ceramics worthy of royalty and the wealthiest of customers. Cobalt Oxide of the highest quality, traded from Saxony achieved a blue that would indeed later be associated with wealth and prosperity.

A Bristol Blue Decanter, circa 1830.

Bristol Blue Glass's success and appeal was instant. By 1851 there were 17 factories required to meet the public's demand, with increasing American trade in this special blue glass as well. It was during this time that Queen Victoria and Prince Albert invited the glass makers of the Bristol Blue Glass to exhibit their skills at The Great Exhibition (popularly known as the Crystal Palace Exhibition). Many celebrated individuals such as Charles Darwin, Lewis Carroll and Charlotte Bronte attended the exhibition. It was also around this time that cranberry glass was made by adding 24 carat gold to lead crystal which gave the glass it's luxurious ruby red tones.

A ruby glass, double ended perfume bottle, circa 1880.

After production ceased in the early 20th century, Bristol Blue Glass was later revived by James Addlington in the 1980's, restoring and saving what was becoming a lost art. The Original Bristol Blue Glass Ltd continues to produce distinguished glassware today and, as is common in today's modern manufacturing world, is open to the public.

For further information about our antiques please visit our new and improved website, or better yet, pop into our shop in the leafy suburb of Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne.

You can also follow us on Twitter or Facebook for regular updates, photographs and insight into the antiques business.

Titanic Anniversary

With the 1ooth anniversary of the Titanic ship leaving Southampton coming up on 10th April 2012, we thought you might like to see this wonderful nautical themed barometer. Made from gilt metal this barometer and thermometer comes from an Edwardian heritage, only two years prior to the Titanic's departure. The ship's wheel can be turned so that the dial points to the current days details, a playful aspect of this piece.

In memory of the Titanic there is a voyage departing Southampton today with the same number of passengers, including family members of some of those who sailed on that original fateful journey. They will be following the original Titanic itinerary.

For further information about our antiques please visit our new and improved website, or better yet, pop into our shop in the leafy suburb of Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne.

You can also follow us on Twitter or Facebook for regular updates, photographs and insight into the antiques business.

Snow forecast?

Now I know what you're thinking: snow in April?? Sadly that is truth of it, after those glorious days of sunshine (which most of us were enjoying from the wrong side of the window at the office) snow and rain has settled in over Scotland and England. But what of it? Well we all have to hang on to our winter clothes for a bit longer and remain wishful of being able to look forward to more unbroken sunshine soon.

Meanwhile, how about a little weather warning assistance from the comfort of our own homes? Sure you can check the weather via the t.v or internet but to get truly local predictions you need to be checking the forecast the way the weather experts do it - with the help of a beautifully crafted antique barometer.

It was Admiral Fitzroy (1805-1865) who set up a network of barometer stations to help compile a list of data which in turn would provide "The Times" newspaper with the first ever public weather forecasts. Indeed Fitzroy coined the phrase "weather forecast". So what better way to check what your day has in store for you than using your own barometer?

At Graham Smith we have a varied selection of barometers, including a Fitzroy Barometer (shown below) featuring Fitzroy's Remarks! The Barometer is located in our Jesmond shop and on our website which provides more information, photographs and dimensions.