Ruby Lane's Past Times Newsletter for February 2009

In This Issue

• Give A Vintage Valentine Gift!
  
• Shop Spotlight: Welcome To Black Dog Kitchen!
  
• Celebrating Romantic Jewelry
  
• February Lane Sampler: Books
  
• Link To Take Our Survey
  

GIVE A VINTAGE VALENTINE GIFT!

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Click here to see a special Valentine's video message from Ruby Lane, or go to:

http://www.rubylane.com/search/event/,valentines

SHOP SPOTLIGHT: WELCOME TO BLACK DOG KITCHEN!

If you are into retro decorating or just want that casserole your mom always used, you'll want to stop by and visit Lorraine Buckley of Black Dog Kitchen on Ruby Lane. Lorraine's shop offers Fire King, Pyrex, Hazel Atlas, Corning and much more. Lorraine says she is constantly searching out only the best that can be found, often finding items still in the original box. She likes to sell in sets saving you the cost of having items shipped piece by piece. However, don't ever hesitate to contact her about a specific piece you are looking for as she has an extensive inventory.

In Black Dog Kitchen's shop you'll find such items as a set of Jeanette Yellow Lustre Tumblers ($45), a McCoy Pottery: Green Glaze Yelloware Ringed Buttermilk Pitcher ($65), a rare McCoy Pottery Green Glaze Yelloware Ringed Buttermilk Pitcher ($32), and much more.

Lorraine has this to say about kitchen glass:

"A note regarding kitchen glass...... When produced kitchen glass was produced in mass quantity. Quality control was not as high as it would have been for other types of glass. Inherently, kitchen glass was produced with streaks, roughness and other flaws. Also, unlike other better glass, these pieces were used on a daily basis. Collectors have come to expect small dings and roughness in these pieces. When purchasing fine glass pieces perfection is a must, but not so with kitchen glass. Lorraine is mindful to mention all flaws, no matter how small but please keep in mind that small flaws are to be expected when purchasing kitchen glass. Some collector's even feel that they give their glass character!"

We invite you to visit Black Dog Kitchen

CELEBRATING ROMANTIC JEWELRY

Jewelry is one of the most popular selections for Valentine's Day gift giving. Few other items have the personal allure and romance of jewelry. A gift of jewelry lasts a lifetime, or longer. Jewelry may be as enduring as a loving relationship, although both require a certain amount of proper care and maintenance.

Some jewelry themes are more romantic than others, and Valentine's Day brings hearts and arrows, flowers and Cupids to mind. Other traditional styles, such as Regard rings, hair jewelry, and Lover's Eye pieces speak of love across the years. While some consider hair jewelry morbid, and many pieces were definitely associated with a departed loved one, many a Victorian fob or locket enclosed a lover's hair. The Victorians, while appearing restrained in some areas, did not hesitate to eloquently speak the language of love and sentiment. The Claddagh, a Celtic symbol of love, loyalty and friendship, is another sentimental favorite.

Beautiful antique cameos may be found with Cupid or Venus. Venus was the Roman Goddess of love and beauty, and Aphrodite held the comparable position in Greek mythology. Both are credited with bearing a son, also associated with passion. Eros, son of Aphrodite, is sometimes depicted with his earthly love, Psyche. His Roman counterpart, Cupid, is also associated with the love of Psyche. Cupid is most often depicted in putto form, resembling a pudgy baby with wings. His image went through a revival in the Renaissance and has been with us in art and jewelry ever since. He is often depicted with his bow and arrows and is sometimes blindfolded.

Almost all flowers have symbolic connotations, and many are associated with love or fidelity, and many are incorporated into jewelry designs. Those associated with the more romantic aspects of life include aster, cherry blossom, chrysanthemum, roses, and forget-me-not. The forget-me-not in blue enamel has been a favorite for sentimental jewelry for generations. Please remember that there is a color code connected to some of these associations, with some colors indicating parting or unrequited love. Red, pink, and purple have become associated with passion and with Valentine's jewelry, and are usually safe choices for a romantic gift. You wouldn't want the right flower in the wrong color to ruin your holiday!

Hearts and arrows, harkening back to Cupid, are often used in sentimental jewelry. Many WWII era pieces are known to use this motif.

The Regard ring, quite popular in the 19th century, was an acrostic device. The first letters of the gems in the piece spelled out a message. Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, and Diamond, would spell out the giver's regard for the lady. Other sentiments and names were also spelled out in this fashion. Hand painted portrait jewelry was often given to loved ones. A portrait of just the eye, the window to the soul, was popular in the Georgian Era and still used through the Victorian era. These Lover's Eye pieces, most often set into jewelry pieces, are very desirable.

The Romantic Era in the arts, most closely associated with music, painting , and literature, surely had an effect on all the arts, and the influence may be felt throughout the 19th century. Throwing off the constraints of the Classical era and the love of well-reasoned rationalism, the artist became quite expressive of emotion. The works embraced symbolism, myth, and nature, all of which is evident in many of the sentimental jewelry pieces of the time.

The revivals and popularity of Celtic pieces in the 19th century added the Claddagh to the popular design themes of jewelry. The heart, crown, and hands represent love, loyalty, and friendship. The Irish Republicans favored a design without the crown, known as the Fenian Claddagh.

Heart shaped pieces are perhaps the most widely used sentimental theme, and lend themselves to the addition of all the motifs mentioned. You can find heart shaped pieces adorned with Cupid, hearts and arrows, claddaghs, flowers, or more hearts. Add a snippet of hair or an image of the loved one, and the decorated locket becomes the ultimate communication of love in a jewelry piece, often engraved with a personal sentiment.

Ruby Lane is pleased to offer a great selection of jewelry creations to remind that special someone of your love, 365 days a year. Nothing says I Love You like a special Valentine's Gift from Ruby Lane!

FEBRUARY LANE SAMPLER: BOOKS

Elaine's Antiques Collectibles: Vintage Jewelry, Sterling, Religious, Figurals, Rhinestones, Bakelite

Modern Collector's Dolls, Patricia Smith 1973

Modern Collector's Dolls, Patricia Smith 1973 Hardcover Book in gently used condition. Full of Black and White photographs doll history. Does ...

Barkus Farm Antiques, Collectibles and Fine Art: Unique Collectibles, Antiques and Fine Arts from Around the World

Edward Marshall Boehm Book - c 1970 - A Must For Boehm Collectors

This book is exquisite inside and out. It has the Boehm trademark Horse's Head in Relief on the cover. This large book (264 pages; filled with color...

Industrial Blonde: A fine, fun, and funky assortment for discerning collectors

Sweet Vintage Book Seasons and Zodiac - A Year Is Round - First Edition 1966

Here is a sweet First Edition vintage book with original dust jacket, "A Year Is Round" by Joan Walsh Anglund. It was published by Harcourt, Brace ...

Kathy's Kloset: An eclectic mix of antiques and collectibles at affordable prices

1914 Woodmen Circle Vest Pocket Dictionary

An old 1914 complimentary dictionary provided by the Woodmen Circle, a woman's auxiliary to Woodmen of the World, a fraternal benefit society ...

NEATCURIOS: Neat Interesting Antiques Curiosities An Active Online Shop with new Antiques added weekly

9 Volumes Thackeray's Works w Decorative Gold Bindings

A nice set of 9 Volumes of William Makepeace Thackery. Published by R. Worthington, 770 Broadway, NY. The set was published in the year 1884. Each ...

Collecting Memories - Antiques Collectibles: Antiques Collectibles: Porcelain, china, glass, perfume bottles, vintage tins, postcards more

Vintage Star Book #90, The Big Top in Crochet : Inspired by Cecil B De Mille's Movie, The Greatest Show on Earth , 1952

This wonderful booklet includes instructions and full color illustrations of crochet dolls and toys that will delight children - and you, as well! ...

Christina's: Costume Jewelry Antiques,Glass,Pottery,Textiles,Bags And Clothing

Jewelry by Chanel Large Paper Book

Jewelry by Chanel Patrick Mauries published in 2000. Wonderful book of Chanel's sketches,jewelry and a synopsis of her life. measures 12 L by ...

Tapestry Collectibles and Fine Art: Quality Collectibles, Rare Books, Artisan Jewelry and Exceptional Fine Art

Exceptional Magical Vintage Children's Book - The Silver Trumpet - A Fairy Tale 1968

Here is a rare and spectacular vintage fantasy children's book! The Silver trumpet by Owen Barfield, designed and filled with extraordinary ...

Kristiesdeals: There's Something For Everyone At Kristie's!

1944 Edition ~ Post War ~ EMILY POST The Blue Book of Social Usage NEW OLD STOCK

Born in 1872, Emily Post became an authority on social etiquette after having been a social debutante and then an editor for many magazines, one of ...

Pia's Antique Gallery: Antiques, Decorative Items, and Fine Art for those with discriminating tastes

Critical And Historical Essays by Lord Macaulay, Leather Bound Books, 4 Vols , 1885

An elegant 4-volume (complete) set of leather bound books. Critical and Historical Essays by Lord Macaulay, Contributed to the Edinburgh Review, ...

LINK TO TAKE OUR SURVEY

Click Here to take our Demographic Survey