About Muses Antiques

Our Service Pledge

INTERNATIONAL buyers are welcome! We will find the most affordable shipping. Decorative porcelain is usually duty-free. Repeat customers enjoy 10% off original price (unless already discounted).

Muses Antiques takes pride in the beautiful pieces that we offer for sale. It is often difficult to let go of these treasures! We recognize that you cannot touch or personally inspect these pieces and so we provide extensive descriptions and detailed photographs. Please feel free to email us for more pictures. Our goal is for you to be comfortable purchasing a piece as a gift for a special occasion or for your own home or collection, knowing that it will be in outstanding condition. We clean everything thoroughly (unless original patina is part of its charm) and examine minutely for age-related damage. We also pack to a professional standard and will provide free gift-wrapping and cards upon request - your personal concierge!

Because this is a virtual environment we go out of our way to select pieces that are clearly marked and authentic. If a piece does not feel or look right we do not stock it. Our criteria is that we would be proud to own, display, collect or gift every single item in our shop. Our passion is beauty, and we sincerely hope that you too will experience the joy of beauty as you browse through Muses Antiques.

About Us

Muses Antiques was inspired by my mother's love of fine china and her lifelong passion for designing exquisite tapestries and embroideries. Like many of us, I grew up taking these things for granted. We ate Christmas cake off antique Royal Crown Derby and with my two rambunctious brothers in the house most of her ornaments lost their heads several times, in the Royal tradition! For my mother, beauty was something to live with and enjoy every day. With her loss (one week before her 99th birthday), my interest in antiques became a way of keeping her present in my life. I hope to reach 99 myself and still be busy with Muses Antiques!

My business values are honesty and mutual trust. I really enjoy having excellent communication with my customers and building relationships that last. Your pleasure is my pleasure. My personal strengths include a voracious love of learning. I research relentlessly and love to share the stories and history with you - even if you never buy anything from me. Porcelain is my first love, followed by pottery and old glass. A good antique not only has intrinsic value and beauty, it provides a microcosm of the social history of its time. It is fascinating to learn about the artists, craftspeople and entrepreneurs who were so passionate about their creations and their businesses, and to uncover the dynamics of international trade, public fashion and private taste.

Thank you for visiting Muses Antiques! I hope you will find something beautiful here to enrich your home and your friendships. Please read my blog, 'One Minute Muse', on Muses Antiques web site and join me on Facebook.

Testimonials

"The cup and saucer are beautiful.  I will treasure them always.  Thank you very much for your excellent service, great communication and thoughtfulness.  Your loyal customer," Nancy, USA

" I have completed another purchase with Muses Antiques. I am very pleased with the way that this purchase was carried out, with great trust and friendliness. Nuala is a credit to Ruby Lane." Edward, England

"I recently purchased a lustreware bowl from Muses Antiques using the layaway plan. The terms of the layaway plan were convenient and offered an affordable way to acquire such a beautiful item, which I will treasure. Sarah, USA

"One day I was scrolling through the Royal Worcester available on Ruby Lane and spotted a fruit plate that I loved. I ended up buying 9 of these plates over a 3 month period due to a generous lay-buy agreement combined with very fast postage! Thank you for a very pleasant transaction Nuala. I hope to deal with you again." Anthony, Australia

"Nuala was great to work with. She was very fair and professional. The item I bought was just as described and wrapped perfectly. It was a hassle free, enjoyable experience." Laura, USA

"Nuala cares about the lovely items she sells and they are expertly packaged for safe shipping. She is personable, efficient and went above and beyond for me. You may buy with confidence from Nuala." Lisa, USA

"I really like your style of writing in the descriptions - detailed, honest and very conversational and personal in tone.  I also like the way you've incorporated the series of photographs within the detailed description.  All in all it's a very nice look and feel throughout and a very professional presentation." Dennis, Canada