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!

Seasons Eatings!

Wishing a very happy holiday season to all!



We have some great posts planned for the new year but until then we hope you'll enjoy this entirely edible edifice we created complete with caramel block chimneys, shaved coconut snow, and windows of caramelized sugar.

Gingerbread house and photo by KS&D.

Holiday Hospitality

This holiday season welcome your guests with a cup of cheer served from the finest European cut crystal by Waterford, Val St. Lambert, and Baccarat.


Our barware rests on a romantic inlayed wood tray depicting an elegant lady courted by rival cavaliers. Along the back are placed inverted gold gilt wall corbels to tie in with the opulent golden frame on the dramatic angel painting in an exuberant Spanish Colonial folk art style.


This bold and imaginative work of art is flanked by hand painted tole cachepots brimming with burgundy hydrangea and gilded floral wall swags. Along the top hangs a round Chinese wood carving of horses framed by a pair of intricate Persian miniature horse paintings.


Adding height and drama are large scaled accessories including a matched pair of large sang de boeuf porcelain jars along with two unique armillary sundials. The vintage holiday magazines under the little suit of armor date from the 1940’s and 50’s and are a great source for retro Christmas cookie recipes and holiday decorating ideas. Scattered under an antique French music box are several charming vintage German Christmas cards featuring cozy holiday scenes.

All photos and styling by KS&D.

Trimming the Tinsel Tree

As promised in an earlier post, here are some of our eclectic holiday decorations including our over the top ultimate aluminum Christmas tree.


This year we went with a full on metallic color scheme ranging from silver through the whole spectrum of golds to copper and deep bronze. To keep the focus on the tree we’ve placed it against an original abstract oil painting flanked by Limoges china, antique Chinese silk embroideries, and gilded shadowboxes holding classical plaster medallions.


More than 50 years since they first debuted, vintage aluminum trees are now popular collectibles for their nostalgic charm and clever design. This small bundle of brown paper packages is quickly transformed into a glimmering pine by giving simply primping the branches and tucking them into the trunk. All branches are the same length with the angle of the hole creating the conical shape. We’re using a vintage cast iron tree stand for added strength and stability.


To fill the tree out we’ve wrapped the trunk generously with silver tinsel being careful to choose a wide thick tinsel that closely matches the needles of the tree. We wound the tinsel around the stand filling the entire table, after all what better skirt for a tinsel tree than yet more tinsel!


We’ve added beaded garland by hanging it from the branches on ornament hooks so as not to damage the aluminum needles. Since the branches on these old artificial trees don’t click into place the way the way modern ones do it’s important to hang decorations carefully to avoid accidentally pulling out the branch.


Finally we’ve filled the branches to capacity with European blown glass ornaments mixed with inexpensive discount store finds in multiple finishes including satin, shiny, and glittered. The deep spaces are great for displaying large ornaments or tall slender icicles and the long branches are capable of holding many ornaments with this tree taking over 200 to fill it.


If the cool blue and green color scheme from last year was more your style you might enjoy this white feather tree for another festive yet dreamy twist on holiday decor.

All decorations and photos by KS&D.

Shop New Arrivals Now!

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!

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