Wales Antiques This blog will from time to time complement my Wales Antiques Web Site and its printed companion. The guide is a developing listing of general suppliers of antiques and collectables in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Powys and beyond; it now including auctions and in the future specialist heritage related attractions. Over 23 years it has become an essential resource for anyone with an interest in buying and selling antiques and collectables in West Wales and Beyond. If you would like to know more visit the site here.
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You are here: Home » Latest Buy: A Wedgwood Jar by Louise Powell
Anyone following my blog will have noticed a drop-off in posts and I think a drop-off in quality.
January has been a bit of a drag really, travel and schooling disrupted and so on, a lot of new projects to nurture, not least the 2010 – 2011 Wales Antiques Guide.
As well, I have been clearing out a lot of bits and pieces and selling some of them quite well in Steve Furness’s Newcastle Emlyn Antiques Centre. My stall, Number 23, is bursting mainly with things ‘Mid Century Modern‘ (20th century, that is). I hope to post more about this later and perhaps introduce you to the G Plan revolution!
For today I thought I’d post a recent find. Unremarkable in design (it’s pretty much a Chinese Ginger Jar shape), and decoration (silver lustre, nothing new there). It’s the monogram that matters. The painted mark of Louise Powell (ne Lessore, 1882-1956) is rather rare to find (or rather, rare to find in these parts!). Damaged as you can see and repaired, old style, with staples, presumably not long after it was bought in the 1920’s or 30’s.
It is a trifle compared with the Arts and Crafts work she produced with her husband Alfred Powell, but interesting nonetheless. Not a keeper but one to remember.
If you want to know more about Wedgwood in the 20th Century here are two superbly researched and illustrated books.

Wedgwood Ceramics 1846-1959. A New Appraisal. Most Lavishly Illustrated, With Some Colour-Plates

Ravilious and Wedgwood: The Complete Wedgwood Designs of Eric Ravilious
You are here: Home » Auction Fun @ Peter Francis Carmarthen

The Peter Francis monthly catalogue sale is a must for eager dealers especially those looking for sleepers. Experienced dealers read sale catalogues like gardeners read seed catalogues. The crucial difference for potential buyers is that bidders from around the world on the interest and on the phone are crowding into the room as well.
I snapped this scene while Nigel Hodson was selling an eighteenth century silver silver by celebrated Boston silversmith Nathaniel Hurd. Estimated somewhat overcautiously at 1000 – 1500 pounds this was the moment when the hammer fell at 19500 + premium.
You are here: Home » New Wales Antiques Auction and Fair Dates for 2010
I’m updating fair and auction dates for my web site Wales Antiques…
If you have fair or auction dates that you think should be included post them here.

You are here: Home » Welsh Antique Quilts Blankets and Textiles; Jen, Jane and Athene
I’m going to start the year’s blogging with a low key post but one which might help if you’re feeling cold at night.
I’ve added to my links a new category; Welsh Quilts and Blankets.
Included are Jen Jones, Jane Beck and Athene English, Wales’ foremost dealers in Welsh Textiles.
Athene English
Jen Jones
Jane Beck
All are listed at www.walesantiques.co.uk.
You are here: Home » An Afghan Baluchi Rug?
Today I bought an Afghan Rug; my expertise in this field is close to zero but I can tell a man made from machine made. It was hanging lazily and modestly in a dealers stall in Cardigan Market and was reasonably priced. Light and portable it was tucked under my arm and transported to its new home.
Quite excited about this rug I’ve spent a few hours researching as best I can. I’m excited not because it is rare or desperately valuable but because it’s an opportunity to pore over something skillfully and uniquely made.
I’m always drawn to rugs of this type and there are many about and I’d guess even (or especially) they’re arriving from Afghanistan by the truckload. However, usually, the antique examples I see are very worn and threadbare, damaged, restored or out of my price range.
This was definately in my price range (a computer game, or something like, would have to wait) and it was in excellent condition. Apart from its ‘one of a kind’ -ness this piece turned out to be wider at one end than the other by about a couple of inches. No matter, idiosyncratic is good.
This has a peculiarly deep indigo ground, some subtle colours in the border motifs and (once one’s eye becomes accustomed to the dizzying colour and design) it reveals itself as depicting two large vases. Four smaller vases float in attendance. The weaver has further elaborated this theme with a repeating floral and leaf border. Damn me if they don’t look like poppies though I expect to be disabused of this notion by someone less naive.
The colours in borders, reds, golds, greens, oranges and a kind of mustardy yellow, are stunning.
Compare with this image of a Baluchi Vase of Flowers pattern from the War Rugs Blog.

A last tribute to the War Rug Site: Do Not Touch!
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My Ceredigion and Cardigan Bay
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