Nautical Novelties at Auction

Later this month Christies is set to auction off the treasures of a London collector with truly breathtaking taste.


In the piles of rare art and antiques it was these romantic nautically themed pieces that really caught our imagination. This show-stopping mirror frame assembled from 17th century carvings includes a whimsical lobster at the base surrounded by shells and dolphins as if sprung from the mind of Tony Duquette.


Always obsessed with naturally distressed patina we envied the selection of pottery and other items pulled directly from centuries old shipwrecks. Still encrusted from hundreds of years at the bottom of the sea these unique pieces have to be the ultimate in nautical accessories.


Or perhaps the ultimate nautical accessory would be Venetian grotto furniture for its wildly whimsical flair? The Gothick Pavilion sale features an impressive collection of Venetian grotto furniture including side chairs, armchairs, and even a sofa.


The fairy-tale fantasy climbs right up the walls with these matching Venetian grotto wall brackets playfully designed as opened scallops perched on conch shells.


Even this wonderful Scandinavian cabinet with its fantastic aged patina injects a nod to the nautical with a crowning crest that features an eye-catching anchor motif.

All images via Christies

Eclectic Country Kitchen Decor

Antique and vintage ceramics lend warmth and charm to the utilitarian modern day kitchen, especially when they prove functional as well as aesthetically pleasing.


This enormous Italian art pottery bowl features a wonderful hand painted blackbird motif on the interior, a theme similar to that on the salt glazed pitcher with its unusual curling handle and unique shape. On the other side of the ironstone platter sits an elaborate yet useful Italian majolica canister alongside a simple French Country creamer with pale blue tulip motifs. Other examples of classic French provincial china include the green faience oyster plates with their finely detailed shells, as well as the asparagus plate, also from Sarreguemines, and featuring a sauce well and molded asparagus stalks encircled by a basket weave border.


Baskets are another decorative yet functional accessory perfect for the kitchen. Here one brimming with fresh eggs sits among a number of other useful accessories including majolica oil and vinegar cruets, an English copper lusterware cream and sugar set, a vintage Italian ceramic wall pocket designed as a cluster of onions, and a blue and white floral serving bowl in the elegant Chatsworth pattern. Along the back rests a colorful majolica platter alongside two elaborate Victorian style majolica plates.


The top self holds a massive Limoges porcelain serving platter surrounded by a quartet of Italian white art pottery pitchers and two large white ceramic canisters. Adding a dose of color is a blue and white delft china jam jar along with a whimsical pyramid of majolica fruits and vegetables, the perfect antique accessory for the eclectic country kitchen.

All photos and styling by KS&D.

Knickerbocker Antiques & Vintage Turns Two!

Happy 2011! Knickerbocker Antiques and Vintage is proud to celebrate two years of offering the most eclectic collection of antique and vintage home decor in our convenient online emporium!

Click HERE to shop our newest arrivals now!