THE PERSONAL CHOICE – #2

  • by Barry Aucott
  • •
  • 10 Aug, 2017
  • •

Glassware

A little over a week later and The Personal Choice returns! I suppose this week is already somewhat different than last. These are items I was able to pick out and Photograph, so what better for the Personal Choice?

So I suppose Glass isn’t for everyone, and I wouldn’t even say it’s something for me entirely. The very idea of dropping or chipping one of these isn’t worth the thought. Unless you don’t own it then it’s almost free reign.

But it might actually be more of my “whimsy” side or “eccentric” – a word that gets thrown around when describing someone who is British. Or so says Frasier, so it’s up to debate on that one.

When I was presented with a cabinet of wears, large decorative Jugs, unusual Glass Bowls… a Harry Potter Toast Rack… Anyone who knows me would easily assume I’d pick out the Cockerel, Fish and Herons etc. To me, that’s interesting, nice craftsmanship, lovely mixture of colours. Did I mention it’s a Cockerel?

I suppose the beauty of Antiques is that there is something for everyone, I’m not sure what that says about me with Nostalgic Telephones and Glass Cockerels, throw in my obsession with Comic-books and Wrestling and it’s starting to paint a weird picture.

So what can I tell you about these nifty little and actually rather large pricey Antiques? They are made of glass, and shaped to represent creatures. They’re like timely expensive Balloon Animals. Something I don’t think the Antique world has yet opened its arms to relish in the beauty of that particular trade.

No, we have all kinds of Glass items, like the Italian Herons and Seooso Bird, the Retro “Murano” Fish, one of which is Lamp Base, yes that is in fact relevant information.

It’s not just the Glass Animals though, we have a vast array of Vase’s, sculptures and even a Sun-catcher.

Make sure to head on over to Astra-Antiques.com and browse them all and then come pay us a visit and put on your Rummage hats!

EXTENSION: PHASE 5

by Barry Aucott • 10 August 2017
Astra Antiques’ much anticipated two-storey extension has had a breath of new life. The extension now stands proudly to the rear of the old World War 2 “H” Block, complete with its roof and windows.

EXTENSION: PHASE 4

by Barry Aucott • 10 August 2017
With the Steel Work in place it was only a matter of time before the shell of the extension started to take shape. The Brick work had begun although the traditional British weather decided to keep work to a minimum with heavy down pours.

EXTENSION: PHASE 3

by Barry Aucott • 10 August 2017
The extension hit a couple of brick walls recently, which has delayed the project for the last month. A mixture of asbestos surveys, and delays on the steel work brought the entire building work to a sudden and unplanned stop.

EXTENSION: PHASE 2

by Barry Aucott • 10 August 2017
This resulted in 40x lorry loads of dirt and rubble being removed. Yet alas, no discovery of long buried and forgotten World War 2 treasures were found. Sorry to disappoint those enthusiasts.

EXTENSION: PHASE 1

by Barry Aucott • 10 August 2017
The first step was the mammoth task of emptying the original two out-buildings used as Storage space. No easy job given these were both filled to their limits over the course of the last ten years, packed to the ceiling with hidden treasures.

L’INCONNUE DE LA SEINE

by Barry Aucott • 10 August 2017
This young woman seemingly came out of nowhere. No history to her face, no name to her legend. There were no marks found on her body to suggest any type of Murder or struggle, so the cause of Death has always been linked with Suicide.

ANTIQUE TRADE PERSONALITIES #1

by Barry Aucott • 10 August 2017
“My interest was first sparked in antiques by my interest in history, visiting country houses and learning about life from times gone by, I knew I’d become an auctioneer by the age of fourteen”.

ASTRA ANTIQUES CENTRE – 10 YEARS ON

by Barry Aucott • 10 August 2017
So in light of the occasion, the manager himself has a few words to say on his start in the Trade, his passion for the business, and his look back on the last 10 years.

THE PERSONAL CHOICE – #5

by Barry Aucott • 10 August 2017
This new enhanced method of Taxidermy and the results it produced became rather popular. Not only to be exhibited, but to become something many would include in their own homes.

THE PERSONAL CHOICE – #4

by Barry Aucott • 10 August 2017
Lighting is crucial, not to mention the perfect lit setting can achieve a number of results, emotions, effects and that little thing we all know as visibility.
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