The majority of ceramics, especially those from the nineteenth century, were made to be used and, while we might not want now to subject antique wares to the rigors of every-day twenty-first century life, gentle and careful cleaning does no harm and helps protect the often delicate surfaces from deterioration caused by the accumulation of harmful dust particles.

Cameo carving goes back to 15,000 BC (!). Cameos were initially known as Petroglyphs, which simply means figures carved into rock/stone. A bit later shells began being used, their multi-layers allowed for contrast as the background and relief could enable many wonderful depictions and scenes to be created. Often they were used to symbolize events or even used for luck charms.

Other time periods, such as the Hellenistic era it was said young women would adorn cameos to express desire. An example being a woman could wear a cameo of Cupid/Eros to show that she was looking for love.

Pope Paul II was an avid collector of cameos~ Yes, Men too would adorn such carved treasures during the mid 1800's it was common practice for Gent's to wear them as a symbol of their culture and place in society! Even the Great Napoleon was smitten with cameos. He actually started a school for cameo carving in Paris. Occasionally, cameos were used in the military and to decorate swords as well!

Do you use the “Item of the Month” feature offered by Ruby Lane? If you don’t, you should, as it’s a powerful tool that can increase your sales.

All shop owners can submit an item of the month to Ruby Lane. Ruby Lane emails many customers a list of the new items of the month. This is a great way to advertise your shop and one of its special items. If the item sells, you can list another one in the same month. Ruby Lane does follow up emails to customers and shop owners throughout the month.

Most antiques fall into one of three categories: investment, collectable, and decorative. No doubt, you have already thought of several items that fall into more than one category.

There is nothing quite like Antique Haviland Limoges China with its delicate nature and charming floral patterns. There are hundreds of patterns most with many variations of color or blank which makes identifying the pattern quite difficult.

Often times the patterns are so similar and on the same blank they appear to be the same. Look closely at the two cups and saucers pictured.

Arlene Schleiger wrote 5 books identifying many of the Antique Haviland Limoges Patterns. Her work has been continued by her daughter in law Dona Schleiger who wrote the sixth book in the series.

There seems to be a new trend in my neck of the woods, and I have to say that as a collector and dealer I particularly adore it. A couple of years ago a co-worker told me about a "thrift store" that I'd not heard about before. He called it a Variety Mall. "Variety Mall?" I asked, "Is that like an antique mall?"

He tried to explain it to me and a most hilarious conversation ensued as he kept referring to it as a thrift store but his description sounded much more like the Antique Malls I am used to shopping. Still, whatever it was it sounded exciting! "It's huge" he told me "easily twice the size of this restaurant!"

The interior designer brings his brand of old-world sophistication to the Los Angeles mansion where he spent his childhood.

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Remake by Ruby Lane

Most antiques fall into one of three categories: investment, collectable, and decorative. Right now, you are probably running over in your mind those things you think of as antiques and wondering into which of these categories they fall. No doubt, you have already thought of several items that fall into more than one. Tiffany lamps are investments, they are decorative, and some people collect them. What I hope to demonstrate is that each one of these categories carries specific conditions and that the buyer places an object into a category by virtue of their approach and expectations.

This is the first article in which I will explore these three categories.

Spring cleaning for my family (and many others) means the dreaded job of cleaning the house windows. Although most of us have become skilled at it, I have to say that cleaning antique glass is a great deal more fun, and presents a different set of challenges.

First, assess the project : does it appear to be ?usual? dirt/film, or is it grease, soot, paint, baked on ? Will simple washing suffice or is special cleaning going to be needed?

Be extra careful with antique glass. Use a plastic dishpan, rubber washbasin, or place a rubber mat in the bottom of the sink so the glassware won?t accidentally bump the hard sink bottom. Spread out a towel on which to place the glass to dry, so it won?t bump on a hard counter top.

A shell-framed mirror hangs behind a faux-bamboo table. Horns flank a display of shells under glass domes, and delicately colored botanical prints hang on the fabric-clad wall. Click here