The fray (n.) came while I was gone last week, a stormy struggle between wind and trees that left my yard and driveway littered with sticks, branches, and leaves. Meanwhile I was out looking at leaves of another kind–
Carnival glass with a pattern of blue leaves.
Now that I’m home I’m spending my time cleaning the yard, so this is a lazy post, with me reaching back to last week to find something fit for the topic. (And by the way, thank you trees, for remaining vertical, and thank you neighbors, for calling to warn me there’d been a storm and everything was ok, just messy.)
My antique dealer cousins — aka ‘The Pickers’ — took me along on an afternoon trip to Rockport MO, where we stopped at 3 Korners Antiques, home of the motherload of carnival glass. I hadn’t paid much attention to carnival glass before, but seeing it en masse, I finally realized how gorgeous it can be. This shop was like a mini-museum.
(I’m beginning to see the light)
Carnival glass: lovely! But it’s all peacocks — where are the chickens?
But wait — I just found this carnival glass chicken pinboard!
All these peacocks and leafy Art Nouveau and arts-and-crafts motifs reminded me that I recently found my old term paper on Art Nouveau from an Independent Study section in art history, way back. And yes, it had been living undiscovered in one basement after another for the last few decades. A glance through showed me that I didn’t mention carnival glass at all.
I don’t know anything about the difference between old and new glass, I just took pictures of what was accessible. And shiny.
Could I, in my snooty days, have seen the iridescence and the luster and considered it budget Tiffany?
Something besides carnival glass: these little cuties were purportedly Lalique.
I left the store empty-handed, being in the mode of look-don’t-buy (plus, did you see the $-signs?). Still, I’m glad I thought to take these photos. Meanwhile, I’m hoping for another afternoon out with The Pickers next time I’m in town. As for now, I’m back to the job of cleaning up after the fray.
What do you think — peacocks or chickens?
Related posts:
Now for a 21st century moment: Rockport MO was the first town in the US to be powered solely by wind turbines
More on the Weekly Photo Challenge: Fray
Hoarder Comes Clean 
Ooooo. All of the glasses look good. I think the chickens, being white, will match what I’ve got at home more easily. Though the peacocks are nothing short of stunning. If I ever had the money and could afford them, don’t know if I’d want to use them as plates or put anything in them. They just look so good. Sorry to hear there was a stormy struggle. Those are always scary and the cleanup takes so much effort, but glad everything is still upright 🙂
Yeah, I don’t know about actually using them. Even with some original Fiestaware it’s not advised to put acidic food like fruit into the bowls due to use of lead or other materials in the glaze. And of course these days I want stuff to be useful AND beautiful, which means dishwasher and microwave. But they are definitely lovely to look at. (so far I’ve kept my Fiesta though)
Oh really, I didn’t know that about Fiestaware. But I always hesitate buying coloured bowls and plates. Yes they look good to the eye and brighten up the dining table but I am always afraid I’ll chip or scratch a bit of the colour off.
I always prefer using clear tall glasses over mugs when I’m having a drink at home. It makes me feel, classier, I suppose 🙂
Ah, you can tell how classy I’m not by this: I love my glass coffee mugs, the better to see my coffee in the microwave when I nuke it back to hot. Too bad, but true.
Lol. I always found looking at my food or drink being nuked difficult as microwave windows tend not to be transparent. Pity 🙂
Mine’s pretty easy to see through and I like being able to tempt fate and hit ‘stop’ just before the eruption. So now I’m worried about Australian microwave windows. Sounds like they’re overly secretive down your way… but then the US gov’t has been in the news for spying so much, maybe that just naturally leads to us private citizens spying on our microwaved food and drinks.
Australian microwave windows are usually heavily tinted or decorated with plain patterns, blocking your view to see what’s inside. Haha, it sounds like you have a lot of fun with your microwaves. You know, you can always make cookies in a cup using a microwave 🙂
Cookies! I had no idea. Seems like I may have tried muffins once or twice but I don’t remember what happened. I admit I’m intrigued by the thought of eggs in the microwave, and even bought a special poaching pan but haven’t been brave enough to risk explosion and try it. How funny though, that our microwave windows are different. This has been a really interesting discussion thread.
Beautiful pictures, as usual. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Connie!
Bring back memories. My grandparents were antique dealers and kept a lot of their wares all over the house, which was sort of like a museum. I always loved all the shiny, glistening glassware!
I must admit, every time I look at the photo of the dish with blue leaves and the light shining through it, my resolve weakens a little. (then I look at the price tag and remember, oh yeah, I’m downsizing)
Yep, downsizing is a good protection against impulsive, unnecessary spending, isn’t it?!!
I’m having one of those days when I despair of ever making headway. It’s hard to have a life and still work through the stuff.
Yes, it is. And I have a feeling it’s a battle we’ll constantly have. Try not to put too much pressure on. Even a tiny bit of progress each day or week or whatever is at least making progress, right?
Thanks for encouraging me. I did finally get today’s tiny bit in, though it took a lot more time than you’d think, being a tiny bit.
🙂
I love finding a display case like this.
Thanks for the comment – Sandy