Eclectic Holiday Decor

Now that the Thanksgiving dishes are cleared it’s time once again to think about decorating the house the winter holidays. Why not begin with a unique antique or vintage find?


The kindly old gentleman in this charming vintage German oil portrait bears more than a passing resemblance to Santa Claus, especially with his red and green attire and pipe.


Where would Old Saint Nick be without this reindeer? This regal pair of brass deer figures, complete with dramatic antlers, certainly make for an elegant alternative.


Who better to watch over your holiday celebrations than this primitive carved folk art cherub corbel so beautiful you’ll want to keep her around all year long.


The snowy mountain landscape of Mount Fuji depicted on this hand painted antique Japanese porcelain plates makes them perfect for the winter holidays.


Here a cheerful set of tole cache pots features elegant scalloped rims and hand painted wreaths with gilded ribbons and white berries.


Trim the tree with a strand of antique blown glass beads that proudly display the softened patina of Christmas past, and for the most unique gifts for under the tree be sure to visit our shop Knickerbocker Antiques and Vintage!

Eclectic Holiday China

With Thanksgiving a week away it’s time once again to start thinking about setting the perfect holiday table.


Incorporating a unique piece or two of antique and vintage china with your existing pieces is a great way to add interest to your table setting. A special piece of porcelain such as a compote dish or gravy boat also makes a wonderful hostess gift that can be brought out and enjoyed year after year.


An elegant platter or unique serving tray always makes a beautiful and useful addition to any china collection, while more specialized pieces such as a sugar and creamer or a set of tiny butter pats are a charming way to add that little extra touch.


For a hint of whimsy why not add something purely decorative? Our pyramid of majolica fruits and vegetables or the colorful Italian ceramic pheasant figure are both perfect accompaniments for any harvest feast.

Photos and styling by KS&D.

An Uncommon Autumn Vignette

Orchids may be an uncommon source of inspiration for an autumn vignette, but the rich red and orange hues of these delicate petals are bold as any fall foliage.


A trio of hand carved wooden folk art figures sit surrounded by deer antlers and an elegant pair of French rococo style sconces, adding an unexpected touch of glamour that echoes the curving lines and points of the antlers. Even the humble pumpkin, a most traditional symbol of the season, takes on a twist displayed under a bell jar.


The whimsical figure of an elegant turbaned hunter stands with rifle at the ready and a charming Staffordshire style lion resting at his feet. The rustic folk art figures of a horse and rider are carved in a primitive style with movable hinged arms.


Looking over the scene is the regal figure of a brightly plumed folk art Indian maiden specially adorned for the occasion with delicate strands of vintage glass beads.

Photos and styling by KS&D.

The Greatest and Grandest

Browse the most eclectic mix of unique antique and vintage home accessories from the comfort and convenience of home! Enhance the design of any interior with Knickerbocker’s carefully curated collection of American, European, Asian, and African fine and decorative arts. Our ever-changing inventory features an array of objects and artifacts from Victorian to Mid-Century Modern including lamps, sconces, art pottery, fine china, porcelain, crystal, art glass, prints, oil paintings, sculpture, folk art, primitives, nautical décor, and much more!

Click HERE to shop our newest arrivals now!

Fins and Feathers

The 500 Years: Decorative Arts Europe sale to be held this week at Christie’s is packed with amazing treasures, but these whimsical pieces inspired by creatures of the sky and sea really caught our imagination.


This fantastical late 19th century Venetian turtle-form chair is designed with a hinged back that reveals a silk upholstered seat. The sculptural base is charmingly detailed with starfish and shells scattered among the rocks.


This spectacular set of 18th century Chinese wallpaper panels depict a variety of winged creatures including caged birds, peacocks, hawks, butterflies, and insects all among a background of flowering branches.


Lastly this wildly playful Victorian porcelain fish service by Bodley, with an almost Disney-like whimsy, is resplendent with seriously lavish gilt detailing.

All photos via Christie’s.

Cool Calm and Eclectic

We all crave more calm and serenity so why not introduce some into your own environment with these cool eclectic home accessories.


The exotic shape of the onion dome birdcage plays well against the blue and white Chinese porcelain, the elaborate wire scrollwork echoing the intricate floral motifs of the vase and carpet, while from above the tranquil profile of the great poet Dante looks down from an antique plaque.


An elegant mid-century Danish modern blue and white porcelain bowl by Bing & Grondahl rests before a romantically distressed vintage Buddha garden sculpture, which sits alongside a pair of hand blown art glass vases, one a wild riot of free-formed molten glass and the other a vessel of perfect simplicity.

Photos and styling by KS&D.

Architectural Americana Part II: Colonial Revival Interiors

As promised in our earlier post on Robert J. Collier’s country estate here are some interior views of the Colonial Revival mansion at Rest Hill originally published mere weeks after Mrs. Collier’s uncle John Jacob Astor perished the richest man aboard the RMS Titanic.


Architect John Russell Pope, better known for lavish Beaux-Arts projects like the Jefferson Memorial and the National Gallery of Art, maintained the simplistic theme of the façade in his interiors. The floor plan centers on a wide hall running the depth of the house and dominated by a dramatic double flight staircase that meets at a landing above the front door.


At the far end of the hall French doors flanked by built-in arched corner cabinets lead out to the Mount Vernon inspired porch with its commanding view of the countryside. Wide archways at the foot of each stairway open into the dining room on the left and the drawing room on the right.


A view of the archway to the drawing room shows the acres of simple rag rugs that were spread across the floors of all the main rooms lending a homey country feel in keeping with the Colonial Revival theme. Further unifying the hall, dining, and drawing rooms was the lush foliage of hand-painted scenic wallpaper lit by cut glass light fixtures.


From the drawing room a passage connecting the vestibule with the west wing leads into an intimate library cum smoking room cluttered with antique prints and exotic hunting trophies. The door next to the fireplace leads to a hall with two guest rooms and a bath as well as a staircase to the family rooms above.


The dining room mantle features a simple marble surround flanked by narrow fluted pilasters supporting a high ledge. Another expansive rag rug provides an informal foil for the elegant Chippendale furnishings.


A view from the dining room into the hall shows more of the lovely scenic wallpaper that envelopes the spaces as well as the clean lined moldings that help define them. In 1927 Mrs. Collier donated Rest Hill to the Sisters of the Good Shepard to establish a home for troubled girls, the organization continues to maintain the estate now open to children of all ages as Collier Youth Services.

Photos from Architectural Record June 1912