Ruby Lane's Past Times Newsletter for October 2004

Past Times
The monthly newsletter from Ruby Lane Antiques, Collectibles,
Fine Art, and Artisans
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Welcome to Past Times!

IN THIS ISSUE:
o Wonders of Porcelain by Ann Grossman of Porcelain Parlor
o Share Past Times With A Friend

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THE WONDERS OF PORCELAIN BY ANN GROSSMAN OF PROCELAIN PARLOR

A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step. For me - my
shop Porcelain Parlor opened on Ruby Lane last Christmas Day,
offering Limoges and Chicago Studios porcelain began many years
ago when I inherited a Limoges dish from my late grandmother.

The dish had an intricate beaded gilt border and depicted cream
and yellow mums against a deep green background color. I noted
a signature, "Leon," on the front of the dish. On the back was
a green mark that read "Limoges, France." Another green mark
had the letters "B. & H." in a circle.

I cherished the dish and displayed it proudly for years before
deciding I wanted to learn more about its exact age and what the
letters meant. What I assumed would be a simple matter proved
otherwise.

This dish had been Grandma's and I KNEW it was old and genuine.
But after dragging home several books from the library, I got
nowhere. It was very frustrating.

As a beginning Limoges collector, I had failed to realize the
sheer number of marks found on Limoges porcelain. Many Limoges
firms manufactured and decorated their own blanks. Others were
design studios. Some stayed in business for short periods of
time and then were bought out or combined with other firms, and
yet another mark would be created. All of the books I had
consulted were too general and listed a handful of Limoges
marks, a tiny fraction of the true number. Finally, I stumbled
upon Mary Frank Gaston's reference books. I easily found the
mark on my grandmother's dish, and identified it as Blakeman and
Henderson Limoges. As I had suspected, the dish dated to the
very early 1900s.

After extensive reading and study, I started a small collection
of Limoges pieces. I enjoyed searching for and identifying rare
marks, signatures, and blanks. Kind collectors and experts I
contacted were very helpful. Years later, I consider myself to
be a knowledgeable dealer.

I have found a couple of undocumented marks, and several rare
signatures. I value scholarship and try to share knowledge
whenever I can. Others have been kind enough to share with me,
and I try to return that favor. One Pickard collector gave me a
valuable insight after I made a major purchase. He pointed out
that, even when my piece was brand new, as a large piece, it was
less common, as fewer people could afford such an item. So one
hundred years later, such a piece is even more rare and of
course, relatively more valuable.

When investing in pieces for Porcelain Parlor, I buy as many
such pieces as I can, reasoning that they are harder to find and
in many ways a better investment than smaller or less important
pieces. Large chargers and vases were premium pieces
generations ago and are even more so now. I also believe each
collector must be respected for the decisions he or she makes.
Often a shopper at Porcelain Parlor buys a rare mark studio or
rare signature piece, and thanks me profusely for helping add to
a collection of porcelain featuring tulips or hydrangeas. They
are less concerned with the pedigree of the piece than with its
aesthetic appeal. I believe it's their collection, their
choice.

When I began selling antique porcelain three years ago, I found
a rare motif Haviland Limoges plate that had a rim chip. After
much hesitation, I bought the plate. Eventually I sold it to a
very knowledgeable collector who made sure I realized how much
he loved the piece, even though it wasn't mint. It was his
choice, his collection. Others want everything mint. But many
serious collectors reason that these antique hand painted pieces
belong to another era, there will never be a large supply, and
they forgive a flaw in an otherwise gorgeous piece.

While many who purchase Limoges and Chicago Studios (such as
Pickard, Brauer, and Donath, among others) porcelain are
collectors, others are buying antique porcelain to decorate
homes. Some use an entire wall to display plates, combining
antique Limoges pieces with new plates. I have a friend who has
a gorgeous home, her daughter is an interior designer, and the
home is a true showplace. Antique Haviland pieces are
prominently displayed and large items such as soup tureens and
chocolate pots in a hutch draw one's eye immediately.

The journey toward my own shop on Ruby Lane has involved many
hours of reading and looking, advice from kind Haviland and
Pickard experts, and thousands of miles put on a soccer mom's
minivan. When carefully packing a fragile porcelain piece, I
often imagine how delighted the purchaser will ultimately be.

Some of the things I sell, the ones I think are truly stunning,
I remember with a pang years after they have been sold. But
then I realize they were mine for awhile, and the original fun
was all mine."

We invite you to visit Ann at Porcelain Parlor.
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