Tis The Season To Entertain With Beautful Collectible And Antique Glassware, Silver, China: Learn More About What You Have

Clueless About Antique Glassware,China, Silver: Ask The Experts On I Antique Online.com

I've been making the rounds through all my favorite antique stores and junk haunts. I love this time of the year, when all the Christmas bling is out and the antiques booths are decorated in vintage Christmas. If you really want to pick up great entertaining items, tis the season to find plenty of older glassware, china, silver and holiday serving pieces. I must confess that I am completely clueless about vintage glassware. I have no clue what is pressed glass, crystal or cut glass or whatever. I buy what looks pretty and I leave it at that.

We Were Not Fancy: Our China Was Paper

You may have read about my experience with "entertaining" in my books. I have already told the  world that growing up, dad served everything on plain white ruffled edge paper plates. When I was a child, dad owned a modest luncheonette and later a  kiosk which sold hot dogs. We did not grow up with  fancy plates or holiday glamour. The fanciest stuff we owned was a pair of milk glass candlesticks with a cordinated bowl which held the plastic fruit. Dad was so accustomed to using paper in his restaurant that he kept up the tradition  in our home (less dishes to wash).

 Learning About Fine China, Antique Glassware, Collectible Silver 

So you can not look to me for years of experience on handling fine glassware or china. I can tell you however where to find the knowledgeable people.  On my site I Antique Online.com we have over two hundred groups forums on every important topic concerning antiques and collectibles. Here are some special groups you  may wnat to  join "China Chat"    , "Glassware Hound Heaven"    and "Antique and Collelctible Silver" , Depression Glass Collectors

Going Through Collecting Phases

Over the years I have accumulated better paper plates and a nice collection  of blue and white Flow blue type pieces. These dishes and servicing pieces were aquired during my "blue and white" phase. I now am in my "Mid Century phase". I'm sure as I get older I will probably return to plain white ruffled edge paper plates!

Photos taken at Antique On The Farmington, Collinsville, Connecticut


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Serve Your Holiday Appetizers and Desserts On Hand Painted Vintage Tole Trays

Tole Trays Add Color During the Holidays

This holiday season ,consider serving your guests delicious appetizers and desserts on colorful hand painted vintage tole trays. Or use these attractive works of art as lovely festive wall decor.

To preserve the artist painted surface, it would be wise to cover the surface with clear plastic wrap or a piece of plexi glass.

History of Tole Trays
Tole is a French word referring to the decorative art of painting on metal-ware. Early trays (18th and 19th centuries) were called Tea boards or tea trays and were painted by a “paintress” using a “one stroke method”. These trays were painted black, often with a floral decoration hand painted or stenciled on. This form of decorative art was revived during Colonial times in New England as people often “dressed up” tin ware.

The Nashco Products Company
From the 1920’s -1950’s, The Nashco Products Co. of New York City produced numerous hand-painted tea trays in a variety of colors. You will often see colors of Chinese red, black, Wedgewood blue, sage green, cream, pink etc in a variety of shapes.

Nashco also produced bowls and vanity trays. Often the artist who painted the tray signed the piece. Nashco has an oval, silver and black paper label with block lettering. Tole trays are favorite collectible for Romantic cottage collectibles. Some collectors use their trays and others love to hang them up on a wall creating interesting wall décor.

The Value of Tole Trays
Prices continue to climb and you will see a full range of values on these items when you are out and about shopping. Condition is everything. Note scratches, paint missing, worn spots, rusting, warped trays. Most trays I have seen in New England are priced between $28.00 – 75.00.

You will find more about tole trays in my book, Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.