CZECHOSLOVAKIA

CZECHOSLOVAKIA IS A POPULAR TERM WITH COLLECTORS. THE NAME, FIRST USED AS A MARK AFTER THE COUNTRY WAS FORMED IN 1918, APPEARS ON GLASS , PORCELAIN, METAL AND OTHER DECORATIVE ITEMS. ALTHOUGH CZECHOSLOVAKIA SPLIT INTO SLOVAKIA AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC ON JANUARY 1, 1993, THE NAME CONTINUES TO BE USED IN SOME TRADE MARKS AND WE HAVE SOME OF THE FINEST PIECES IN THE SHOP. I WILL ENDEAVOR TO TAKE MORE PICTURES WHEN I RETURN NEXT WEEK. FOR SOME REASON I KEEP TAKING PICTURES OF THE FLOOR!

*DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON THE PICTURES*

VERRE E'GLOMISE'

FROM THE FRENCH TERM MEANING GLASS GILDED, IS A PROCESS WHERE THE BACKSIDE OF THE GLASS IS GILDED WITH GOLD OR METAL LEAF USING A GELATIN OR ADHESIVE. THE RESULT IS A MIRROR- LIKE, REFLECTIVE FINISH IN WHICH DESIGNS ARE THEN ENGRAVED. THE TECHNIQUE DATES BACK TO THE PRE- ROMAN ERAS, BUT ITS NAME DERIVED FROM 18TH CENTURY FRENCH DECORATOR AND ART- DEALER JEAN BAPTISE GLOMY ( 1711-1786 ) WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS REPOPULARIZATION. HERE IS A FINE 1920S EXAMPLE OF THIS ALMOST LOST ART !

HOLLYWOOD REGENCY

WHEN DESIGNERS FROM HOLLYWOOD'S GOLDEN AGE, ENCOURAGED WEST COAST FILM LUMINARIES TO DECORATE THEIR HOMES WITH OVERTONES OF GLITZ AND GLAMOUR, A NEW DESIGN STYLE EMERGED. THE 1930s HOLLYWOOD REGENCY STYLE WAS A FAVORITE OF CELEBRITIES RANGING FROM JOAN CRAWFORD TO THE FUTURE FIRST LADY, NANCY REAGAN.

LOYAL CUSTOMERS

TO ALL OF OUR WONDERFUL FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS THROUGH THE YEARS, LES BELLES WILL BE OPEN FOR THE ANNUAL ANTIQUE FAIRE ON SUN. AUGUST 30TH 2009. TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION LES BELLES WILL BE OFFERING SOME FAIRE SPECIALS, SO IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE WANTED THAT YOU SAW IN THE SHOP PLEASE CONTACT US BY PHONE IN ADVANCE. HOPE TO SEE YOU.

ETEGERE'

A BEAUTIFUL 1880 FRENCH ETEGERE'

LAZY DAYS

I MUST ADMIT THAT I HAVE BEEN VERY LAZY ABOUT POSTING TO OUR BLOG DURING THE SUMMER, I WILL TRY AND DO BETTER ONCE THE SUMMER ENDS. HERE ARE PICTURES I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY ?

THE SIGN

WELL AFTER 32 YEARS WE FINALLY HAVE A SIGN ON OUR BUILDING! GARY MILLS OUR LOCAL LAND BARON AND COMMERCIAL PLUMBER IS ON THE LADDER AND BARRY JENNINGS OUR LOCAL PAINTER IS ON THE GROUND. THE PEOPLE IN NILES ARE SO WONDERFUL!! THE SIGN WAS PAINTED BY GORDON STEFANS.