Antiques

In 1793, Thomas Minton, now a master potter having just finished his apprenticeship with Josiah Spode as a copper plate engraver, opened his small Staffordshire pottery at Stoke-on Trent, the very heart of the English ceramic industry.  This small beginning was to grow into a major ceramic manufacturing company with an international reputation.

Everyone knows of the famous “Willow” pattern, but did you know that Thomas Minton is regarded as the one who first engraved this well known print!  Minton is said to have been inspired on hearing the old Chinese legend of the rich Mandarin’s young daughter eloping with his secretary.  As the pattern shows, the young lovers are pursued by the enraged father, however, the goddess of mercy, seeing the drama, turns the fleeing couple into swallows who fly away together.

Thomas Minton’s son, Herbert, (1793–1858), succeeded his father as head of the firm and to him was due its development and reputation as a leader of porcelain production.

In the 1820’s he started production of bone china.  This early Minton is regarded as comparable to French Sèvres, by which it was greatly influenced. 

Our Minton lamps shown were made in 1863 and are typical of the very high standards reached by this time.

An extremely rare pair of 19th century, English Minton vases as table

lamps. The lamps imitating the design of oriental water jars.

The lamps glazed in an even pale celadon with moulded and applied white porcelain “rope”. The necks of the lamps with a continuous band of open cut-work in the style of traditional Chinese window screens,

the lamp necks designed to allow the celadon glazed porcelain

to be viewed through the screens!

The lamps skilfully modelled to appear as if tied in white knotted rope.

The bases of the lamps with a continuous band of scrolling cut-work,

with evenly spaced round headed pegs as ties for the rope.

The lamps with gilded, turned, solid bronze bases and caps.

This stunning pair of lamps, the quality of which is self evident,

are in remarkable condition considering the complexity of the design.

In private correspondence with the UK Wedgwood/Minton museum, this

pair of lamps were described as “highly important”.

The shape was exhibited by Minton at the 1862 London International Exhibition where they were described as “a pair of vases, glazed celadon ground, rope festoons in white, perforated neck and perforated foot”.

The vase shape was registered in 1863 as “in the Chinese style”.

Overall height (including shades)   25″/63cm

The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co specialise in antique table lamp lighting with an on-line range of over 100 unique, antique and vintage lamps on view.

Lamps are shipped ready wired for the U.S, the U.K and Australia.

The long history of Chinese culture has produced a great number of original and distinctive artistic styles.  One of these is “Cinnabar Lacquerware”.  Quickly recognised by its distinctive red colour and sometimes referred to as “China Red”. This treatment has been used artistically in China for over 1000 years.

Lacquerware refers to any facade which has been coated with lacquer, resulting in a hard, durable surface.  The natural source of lacquer is a tree, the Lac, or, varnish tree, the sap of which is collected in the same manner as rubber tree sap; small cuts made into the trunk of the tree and the sap collected.  The name “Cinnabar”, however, is derived from a natural red mineral pigment which is blended with the Lac tree sap after which a rich red lacquer is produced

The initial stage in the production of cinnabar lacquer ware begins with the first coat of red lacquer; this first coat can be the first of literally hundreds of coats to follow!  Each coat is given time to dry before the next, until the desired thickness of red lacquer is achieved.

The second stage in this long process is the deeply carved ornate decoration.

This is left to the hands of a highly skilled carver, who, with razor sharp carving tools begins the slow process of intricately carving the now hard layer of red lacquer..

Antique and decorative arts take many forms and are developed to enhance and beautify our lives.

Remember, that red is the color that we pay the most attention to. It is the warmest and most energetic color in the spectrum. In China, red symbolizes celebration and luck, used in many cultural ceremonies, New Year, weddings and birthdays.

In interior design, red is usually used as an accent and lamps are the most practical of all accents.  Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect, since it will attract attention! A colour you just can’t miss.

The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co specialise in antique table lamp lighting with an on-line range of over 100 unique, antique and vintage lamps on view.

You can decorate your whole house with antique lighting. There are antique lighting fixtures and there are antique lamps that provide great lighting for both ambiance and reading or tasks. Antique lighting in your home or office adds such touch of class and interest to what could otherwise be very ordinary. Antique lighting is almost architectural in nature and design and when incorporated in the ceiling design of some rooms, antique lighting makes quite a statement. The use of antique lighting fixtures can be such fun too.

When you plan to redecorate, remodel or if you are starting from scratch with building designs, consider your lighting carefully. It is in the planning stages that you will most easily be able to bring antique lighting into the scheme of things. When you decide if you want overhead or wall sconces, you can begin your search for the perfect antique lighting. There are stores that are exclusively antique or “vintage” lighting stores where you will find all sorts of antique lighting fixtures and lamps. You will be able to choose from antique lanterns that have been converted in to modern lighting in terms of wiring, but still retain their antique appearance. The same is true with antique hanging light fixtures that were once illuminated by candle flames or gas flames, but that now hold light bulbs.

Much of the charm of antique lighting fixtures and lamps is due to the different glass globes and shades. These are what define the light, in addition to the metal framing. Just because you use antique lighting in your home or office does not mean you are limited to antique furniture or other decor. In fact, the mixture of antique lighting with modern plush or leather or even metal furniture is a great look.

Besides the antique or “vintage” lighting stores, some of the other sources for your antique lighting are estate auctions, antiques stores, salvage companies and the internet, to name a few. The very popular internet auctions list antiques and antique lighting as categories for you to search or browse through to find just the right antique lighting item that you are looking for or may not even know you are looking for and you can bid on it and hopefully, “win” it with you as highest bidder and you will be the proud new owner of a genuine article of antique lighting. If you have a difficult time finding authentic original antique lighting for your project, you might also consider purchasing a reproduction of antique lighting. Only you will know for sure that it is a reproduction….