Sunday, August 21, 2011
New "Your Choice" Shipping Options at The Crowned Leopard
We know that when you buy an item online the shipping cost can add on a great deal to the total price. We at The Crowned Leopard are happy to announce we have just added "Your Choice Shipping" to our items at the online store! Depending on the size of the item and your location you can now choose the shipping option from the USPS that works best for you! Don't need your item right away and want to save a few dollars? You can choose the Economy shipping option. Can't wait to see your purchase in your home? Choose Priority Mail! Our hope is that our customers may now customize their purchase and have an even better shopping experience with us!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Wonderful Assortment of Steiff Teddy Bears: Make an Offer!
We have a lovely selection of Steiff bears in The Crowned Leopard Teddy Bear Corner who would love to find a new home! All are complete with buttons and tags in their ears, certificates of authenticity and boxes. Make us an offer and bring home a new friend today!
This gift set is an absolute must have for any Steiff or teddy bear collector! Sold as a Limited Edition in 2002 to commemorate Steiff’s 100th year of production, this set was issued as number 1568 of 1902 pieces and includes an adorable 10”, fully jointed mohair teddy bear and the “100 Years of Steiff Teddy Bears” hardcover book written by esteemed Steiff expert Gunther Pfeiffer. $195 or Best Offer
Sold as part of Steiff’s Classic Series of 2002, this 9” fully-jointed, little girl Steiff bear was produced with original patterns and is full of such sweet charm. She’s got her original button and tags, including a cloth ear tag numbered 028632, and also comes with her original box. She wears an adorable spring floral dress and matching ear bow and is certainly ready to entertain her friends over a cup of tea! $125 or Best Offer
1) Steiff James Bear 654725-with Sterling Silver Pendant
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| Steiff James Bear for Christies 654725 |
Meet James, a Steiff teddy bear who was made especially for the prestigious Christie’s Auction House of London! Sold as a Limited Edition #1468 of 1766, the year Christie’s was founded, this fully-jointed bear was named after founder James Christie. He very proudly wears a hallmarked .925 sterling silver pendant embossed with the profile of James Christie himself. Have a look at this noble bear today before he is Going, Going, Gone! $175 or Best Offer
2) Steiff German Tourist Bear 671135
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| Steiff German Tourist Bear 671135 |
Guten tag! Sold as a Limited Edition in exclusive German toy shops in 2002, this adorable, fully-jointed 9.5” Steiff Teddy bear hails from Dusseldorf and is full of charm. How can you resist his smile! He’s got his original button and tags including a cloth ear tag numbered 671135 and he also comes with his original box and certificate of authenticity. He wears an embossed medallion featuring the Jan Wellem statue which stands at town hall in Dusseldorf as well as the city’s coat of arms. $125 or Best Offer
3) Steiff Mohair Teddy Bear and Hardcover Book Gift Set 038884
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| Steiff Bear and Book Set 038884 |
4) Steiff Classic Series Girl Bear 028632
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| Steiff Classic Series Girl Bear 028632 |
5) Steiff Baby Alfonzo Bear 653773
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| Steiff Baby Alfonzo Bear 653773 |
Meet Baby Alfonzo…a Limited Edition Steiff replica made in honor of the greatest tale of a girl and her bear there ever was! In 1908, the Grand Duke of Russia commissioned a 13” bear from Steiff to be made for his 4 year old daughter Princess Xenia Georievna which was named Alfonzo. Xenia and Alfonzo were quite inseparable. In the summer of 1914 the princess traveled to Buckingham Palace to for a visit with her English cousins, the family of King George V, and of course Alfonzo accompanied her. While visiting, her father was tragically assassinated in St Petersburg in 1919. Neither Princess nor bear ever returned to Russia and Alfonzo remained by her side her entire life as her best friend and the only connection she still had to her father.
Steiff created a Limited Edition replica of this incredibly special bear especially for Ian Pout’s Teddy Bears of Whitney shop in 1995 which is the home of the original Alfonzo. Only 5000 of this replica were made, one of which is offered for sale here! This “Baby Alfonzo” bear measures 9.5” and is stuffed with the traditional excelsior which the original Alfonzo was made with. He retains his button, ear tag numbered 653773, box and certificate numbered 4786 of 5000. He retains 100% of his beautiful red mohair and of his very dignified look! This bear is a must for any bear collector or lover! $205 or Best Offer
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Gorgeous Silver Pieces Just In and Ready for Your Dinner Table from The Crowned Leopard!
The Crowned Leopard has just received many sparkling silver pieces that are shined up and ready to make a statement at your next dinner party or on display in your home!
1) Antique set of Ornate Continental Silver Ramekin Dish Holders
2) Pair of Gorham Sterling Silver Candelabras
3) Towle Silver plate footed covered serving dish
1) Antique set of Ornate Continental Silver Ramekin Dish Holders
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| Silver Ramekin Dish Holder |
Each piece of this exquisite set of antique continental silver handled ramekin holders features beautifully detailed silver work and comes complete with a white porcelain ramekin perfect for serving up an elegant brunch or dessert! Crafted in c. 1910 in Vienna, Austria by Vincenz Carl Dub, 5 of the 6 silver holders are of .800 standard silver and beautifully designed with geometric heart shaped openwork. The 6th silver holder is .925 Sterling and made by Gorham with an identical design. Each holder is free of any monograms. This elegant service set has recently been lightly polished and is ready to sparkle in your dining room today!
$575 or Best Offer
2) Pair of Gorham Sterling Silver Candelabras
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| Gorham Sterling Silver Candelabras |
This beautiful pair of vintage Sterling Silver Gorham candelabras absolutely exudes elegance! Created with .925 standard sterling silver in the popular ‘Puritan’ pattern, each piece features clean, classic lines and sweeping, curved arms. Tall taper candles can easily be inserted into the 3 candle holders. Each candelabrum measures 11.5” tall x 11.5” wide, fully assembled, and is weighted and reinforced with other metal to keep them firmly in place and lessen the chance of being easily knocked over. This attractive set has recently been lightly polished to a sparkling shine and ready to be used at your next romantic meal or dinner party. Add a piece of sophisticated elegance to your home today!
$550 or Best Offer
3) Towle Silver plate footed covered serving dish
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| Towle Silver plate Serving Dish |
This large, vintage Towle silverplate footed serving dish will add quite a statement to your dinner table! This piece features a beautiful domed lid and is complete with a Pyrex glass liner. The surface shines, is free of monograms and a beautiful scrolling design trims the edges of the dish and the handle of the domed lid. This serving piece measures 21” long x 12.5” wide x 7” tall including the handle and will certainly hold up well with regular use with its very sturdy construction. This piece has been recently polished up to a beautiful shine and is ready to sparkle in your dining room as an attractive display piece or an elegant way to serve up a great side dish at your next dinner party!
$150 or Best Offer
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
New Markdown! Beautiful Vintage White Mohair Fechter Teddy Bear
This big beautiful boy has just been newly marked down at the Crowned Leopard online store and ready to come home with you today!
Produced in Austria, this fully-jointed 18” Fechter teddy bear is in immaculate condition and how could you resist his adorable expression! He’s got his original red bow, original orange glass eyes and retains his cloth ear tag embroidered with the Fechter logo and “Fechter Styria” in brown stitching which likely places his date of manufacture to the early 1970’s. He’s retained all of his gorgeous and rare white mohair and his distinctive heart shaped stitched nose, open mouth with black outlined top lip, red felt tongue and downturned felt paws are all in original condition. He also loves to have a good chat with his fully functioning growler…he growls loud and proud! The quality of Fechter teddy bears rival that of Steiff and you will not find a higher quality bear of this size at this price.
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| Gorgeous White Mohair Fechter Bear |
Was $550....Now $495
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Much Ado about Silent Auctions!
There are many different types of antique auction houses out there offering anything from high- end fine art and furniture to small collectible pieces. Places that hold a silent auction alongside the live auction are great fun! Oftentimes the silent auction will showcase items that were just not quite high end enough or arrived too late to be offered at the live auction. I have found plenty of beautiful silver plated house wares, costume jewelry and even a Cartier handbag available at the silent auction ay our local auction house here in Seattle…you never know what you will find at a bargain price! This is also a fabulous place to find great gifts for housewarmings or dinner parties.
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| The Steiff culprits of the commotion! |
These silent auctions can and do create quite a bit of excitement as everyone scrambles to snatch up a deal. While there are great bargains abound, it is all too easy to get caught up in a bidding frenzy in the last moments before the closing of an auction. Just last month I was literally trampled over for a lot of Steiff monkeys as I was bidding on art books on a shelf below! From my experiences I offer the following tips for the next time you find yourself at a great silent auction:
1) Be sure to preview each item you bid on examining it carefully for hidden damages or to determine how easy it would be to clean or restore the item. If the item carries too much damage don’t bid on it no matter what price it is going for!
2) Set your max bid just as you would for an item at a live auction. With this firm price in mind you won’t be as enticed to enter into a last minute bidding frenzy and pay too much for an item. STICK TO THIS MAX BID! I guarantee the 5 people outbidding each other for the Steiff monkeys as I was crouched below them had thrown their max bids out the window and ended up overpaying.
3) Look for items that may be in a corner or on a low shelf. Other bidders may overlook these areas leaving it for you to obtain at a great price!
4) Wait until the closing minutes of the auction to write in your bid. This leaves less chance of being outbid or driving up the price. If there are 2 items that you are interested in, have a friend or spouse write in a bid on one item while you enter one for the other.
5) Don’t bid someone up just to spite them…it may be tempting but it’s such bad karma!
6) None of these tips apply to charity auctions…its good karma to support these causes by bidding and therefore donating as much as you can J
7) Have fun and happy bidding!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Crowned Leopard Loves... Home-Cooked, High-Class Brunch (and 3 Day Weekends!)
Each week The Crowned Leopard showcases a new find, special offers or a piece we think is extra special and that our customers will love!
This weekend was Memorial Day weekend and there is nothing Crowned Leopard loves more than 3 days off! The weather here in Seattle was less than stellar so there was no better way to remember those who served our country than over a home-cooked, high-class brunch. Crowned Leopard rolled up his sleeves and cooked up quite the feast and pulled out all his best wares. High- Class meant served up on the best china, salami, cheese and fresh fruit presented on a pedestal cake tray and fresh juicy berries served in his newly acquired antique Austrian silver ramekins which were once owned by the US Ambassador to Austria (soon to be on sale at the Crowned Leopard Online Shoppe!). All in all it didn’t take much more effort to turn breakfast into one classy and relaxed event.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
New Markdown! Beautiful Cut Crystal Dresser Jar with Sterling Silver Lid
We’ve just marked-down a beautiful cut crystal dresse jar currently for sale at the Crowned Leopard online shoppe…you’ll surely want to have a look!
This Foster and Bailey cut crystal vanity jar is absolutely sparkling! The pattern cut into the crystal features a fan and diamond type pattern that reflects the light beautifully. The lid is sterling silver and is clearly hallmarked with the Foster and Bailey flag mark and also reads “Sterling 3006”. There are beautiful, swirling botanical details around the top edge of the lid as well as an ornate script monogram in the center which appears to read JCS. The jar has quite large, globular shape and measures 3.5 inches x 4.5 inches. This is a very beautiful, solid piece which would be a stunning addition to any home or collection!
Was $225 NOW $179!! SOLD!!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Crowned Leopard Loves... Ludlow! The lovely Antique Steiff Teddy Bear who used to be hard of hearing…
Each week The Crowned Leopard showcases a new find, special offers or a piece we think is extra special and that our customers will love!
This week we feature Ludlow….remember Ludlow? He’s a lovely antique Steiff teddy bear we featured in February who came to us missing one of his ears! While just a bit hard of hearing, he was an absolute sweetheart and we sent him to the bear hospital for an ear replacement. He recently returned looking dapper and he is now available for purchase at The Crowned Leopard Online Shoppe!
Ludlow measures 13.5” standing, is fully jointed, stuffed with excelsior and has a small hump at the top of his back, all typical features of Steiff bears from this era. The shape of his head, elongated nose and position of the ears on the head are featured in many bear books as features of a c. 1920 Steiff. His arms are a long sweeping curve shape and come down past his knees while standing and just past his feet while sitting. He appears to retain his original felt paw pads and about 3 of his original claws. There are some spots of wear on his paws where the excelsior stuffing is showing through which is very common on bear of this age. He has a vertically stitched nose and this and his mouth are likely re-stitched.
He has a fairly full coat of mohair considering his age (he retains about 80%) and when you push his tummy he squeaks! Squeakers were common on older bears but most of the time you will find they no longer work due to years of squeezing and chatting.
Ludlow is such a special bear and will make someone a wonderful new friend. He’s the perfect addition to any collection so please consider bringing him home today!$595 SOLD!!
Click here to view Ludlow at the Crowned Leopard online shoppe!
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| Ludlow: Antique Steiff Bear |
This week we feature Ludlow….remember Ludlow? He’s a lovely antique Steiff teddy bear we featured in February who came to us missing one of his ears! While just a bit hard of hearing, he was an absolute sweetheart and we sent him to the bear hospital for an ear replacement. He recently returned looking dapper and he is now available for purchase at The Crowned Leopard Online Shoppe!
Ludlow measures 13.5” standing, is fully jointed, stuffed with excelsior and has a small hump at the top of his back, all typical features of Steiff bears from this era. The shape of his head, elongated nose and position of the ears on the head are featured in many bear books as features of a c. 1920 Steiff. His arms are a long sweeping curve shape and come down past his knees while standing and just past his feet while sitting. He appears to retain his original felt paw pads and about 3 of his original claws. There are some spots of wear on his paws where the excelsior stuffing is showing through which is very common on bear of this age. He has a vertically stitched nose and this and his mouth are likely re-stitched.
Ludlow is such a special bear and will make someone a wonderful new friend. He’s the perfect addition to any collection so please consider bringing him home today!
Click here to view Ludlow at the Crowned Leopard online shoppe!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
This week Crowned Leopard Loves... Vintage Silverplate 3 piece tea set by Sheridan Silver Co
Each week The Crowned Leopard showcases a new find, special offers or a piece we think is extra special and that our customers will love!
In honor of the recent Royal Wedding, this week we feature a stunning Mid 20th century silverplate 3 piece tea set made by the Sheridan Silver Company Inc of Taunton, MA. This set just arrived and includes a tea or coffee pot, a sugar bowl with lid and creamer. Each piece is silver plated on copper, has clean round lines and features beautiful scrolling handles and legs with a floral design. The lid of the teapot is hinged, opens and closes with ease and is topped off by an ornate finial. The sugar bowl features a similar removeable lid.
Whether for a spot of tea with the queen or with friends this is the perfect piece for the person who loves to entertain. Consider purchasing today and be entertaining in style in no time! Available for purchase at The Crowned Leopard online store.
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Whether for a spot of tea with the queen or with friends this is the perfect piece for the person who loves to entertain. Consider purchasing today and be entertaining in style in no time! Available for purchase at The Crowned Leopard online store.
USD $75
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Newly Listed- Six First-Class Mohair Teddy Bears by Steiff and Fechter
Newly listed at The Crowned Leopard- Six adorable mohair teddy bears of the finest quality produced by Steiff of Germany and Fechter of Austria. Each of these bears has such unique character and charm! Have a look....they would certainly make a very special addition to an Easter basket!
1) Steiff James Bear-with Sterling Silver Pendant
Meet James, a Steiff teddy bear who was made especially for the prestigious Christie’s Auction House of London! Sold as a Limited Edition #1468 of 1766, the year Christie’s was founded, this fully-jointed bear was named after founder James Christie. He very proudly wears a hallmarked .925 sterling silver pendant embossed with the profile of James Christie himself. Have a look at this noble bear today before he is Going, Going, Gone! $175
2) Steiff German Tourist Bear
Guten tag! Sold as a Limited Edition in exclusive German toy shops in 2002, this adorable, fully-jointed 9.5” Steiff Teddy bear hails from Dusseldorf and is full of charm. How can you resist his smile! He’s got his original button and tags including a cloth ear tag numbered 671135 and he also comes with his original box and certificate of authenticity. He wears an embossed medallion featuring the Jan Wellem statue which stands at town hall in Dusseldorf as well as the city’s coat of arms. $125
3) Steiff Mohair Teddy Bear and Hardcover Book Gift Set
This gift set is an absolute must have for any Steiff or teddy bear collector! Sold as a Limited Edition in 2002 to commemorate Steiff’s 100th year of production, this set was issued as number 1568 of 1902 pieces and includes an adorable 10”, fully jointed mohair teddy bear and the “100 Years of Steiff Teddy Bears” hardcover book written by esteemed Steiff expert Gunther Pfeiffer. $195
4) Steiff Classic Series Girl Bear
Sold as part of Steiff’s Classic Series of 2002, this 9” fully-jointed, little girl Steiff bear was produced with original patterns and is full of such sweet charm. She’s got her original button and tags, including a cloth ear tag numbered 028632, and also comes with her original box. She wears an adorable spring floral dress and matching ear bow and is certainly ready to entertain her friends over a cup of tea! $125
5) Steiff 1912 Decade Series Titanic Black Bear
For offer here is an adorable and highly collectible 5” black Steiff teddy bear! Sold as part of the Steiff Decade Collectors Series, he is the 2nd bear in a series of 10 that were issued in celebration of their most famous bears of the past 10 decades. This bear represents a very popular black “Mourning” bear put on the market by Steiff in 1912 to honor the memory of the passengers of the Titanic. Steiff had previously produced a black but it was deemed too ferocious looking for children and did not sell. Later when the Mourning bear was issued, the bears put on the market were quickly bought up! SOLD!!
6) Rare Vintage Mohair Fechter 18” Bear
Produced in Austria, this fully-jointed 18” Fechter teddy bear is in immaculate condition and how could you resist his adorable expression! He’s got his original red bow, original orange glass eyes and retains his cloth ear tag embroidered with the Fechter logo and “Fechter Styria” in brown stitching which likely places his date of manufacture to the early 1970’s. He’s retained all of his gorgeous and rare white mohair and his distinctive heart shaped stitched nose, open mouth with black outlined top lip, red felt tongue and downturned felt paws are all in original condition. He also loves to have a good chat with his fully functioning growler…he growls loud and proud! $550
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
New Shipment of Jet-setting Bears at The Crowned Leopard!
We are excited to announce the arrival of 5 new mohair vintage teddy bears that have just arrived today at Crowned Leopard Antiques! Within the group are 4 adorable Limited Edition German Steiff bears, one of which was made especially for the very prestigious Christies auction house, and 1 very rare and very special white mohair bear made by Fechter of Austria. They will all soon be available for sale at the Crowned Leopard online store...more to come!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Gorgeous Edwardian Sterling Silver Vanity Mirror- On Sale Now at The Crowned Leopard Online Store
Made in Chester, England in 1905 by John and William Deakin, the piece measures 13 inches high by 13.5 inches wide and is constructed of wood covered in the original black velvet overlaid with ornate sterling silver work in a beautiful swirling floral design. A blank, non- monogrammed central cartouche is featured at the top. It is quite rare to find these blank and available for you to personalize! A full, crisp set of hallmarks can be found near the bottom of the silver work. Its easel back design is very sturdy and supported by a ribbon at the back.
This gorgeous piece is in very good condition considering it is over 100 years old! It has full velvet coverage…there are not any spots that have worn through, rips or scuffs. The color is just a bit faded which is certainly commiserate with age. The beveled glass mirror reflects beautifully and is in excellent condition with no scratches or cracks. There is only one small spot underneath the mirrored surface. The sterling silver is in overall good condition with a nice antique finish. There is a small crease in the cartouche, 2 small breaks and 3 spots of possible repair all which are hardly noticeable due to the intricacy of the silver work. I have done my best to show these spots in the photos at the link below.
This mirror would make such a wonderful showpiece in any powder room or dressing table and certainly takes you back to a time of such style and sophistication! Consider making it yours today.
USD $795
Sunday, February 20, 2011
A Princess and her Bear: The Enchanting Story of Alfonzo
Just added to The Crowned Leopard inventory, Baby Alfonzo…a Limited Edition Steiff replica made in honor of the greatest tale of a girl and her bear there ever was!
In 1908, the Grand Duke of Russia commissioned a 13” bear from Steiff to be made for his 4 year old daughter Princess Xenia Georievna. This was a very special order as the most popular colors of bear were brown and white but the Duke ordered an exceptionally rare red bear for his princess. Xenia’s nanny made the bear an orange outfit in the style of one of the Tsar’s privileged Cossak horsemen and he was soon named Alfonzo. Xenia and Alfonzo made very fast friends and were quite inseparable.
In the summer of 1914 the princess traveled to Buckingham Palace to for a visit with her English cousins, the family of King George V, and of course Alfonzo accompanied her. WWI broke out during her visit followed by the Russian Revolution in which her father was tragically assassinated in St Petersburg in 1919. Neither Princess nor bear ever returned to Russia and Alfonzo remained by her side her entire life as her best friend and the only connection she still had to her father.
Princess Xenia grew up and eventually married an American who moved both Xenia and Alfonzo to New York where they lived until she died in 1965. In 1989, he was sold at Christie’s to a Mr. Ian Pout of Teddy Bears of Whitney for a world record auction price of just over $18,000! Alfonzo now happily resides in Oxfordshire, England within the esteemed collection of Mr. Pout.
Steiff created a Limited Edition replica of this incredibly special bear especially for Ian’s shop in 1995. Only 5000 were made, one of which is offered for sale here! This “Baby Alfonzo” bear measures 9.5”, has an identical outfit made of cotton sateen and is stuffed with the traditional excelsior which the original Alfonzo was made with. He retains his button, ear tag numbered 653773, box and certificate numbered 4786 of 5000. He retains 100% of his beautiful red mohair and of his very dignified look! He does have a bit of wear to his foot pads as shown in the photos, which is not original to his design but certainly adds to his charm as the original Alfonzo has similar wear. This bear is a must for any bear collector or lover!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The Adventures of Norman No-Eyes: a 1930’s Knickerbocker Teddy Bear
We are very pleased to present Norman the Knickerbocker…the newest addition to the Crowned Leopard teddy bear family! The Knickerbocker Toy Company, based in Albany NY, began producing teddy bears for the American market in the 1920's. While he has lost his official Knickerbocker ID tag sometime in the past which would have been sewn to his stomach, he is very characteristic of their bears from the 1930’s. He’s got very wide, round head with a short muzzle and a narrow, vertically stitched nose. His large cupped ears at the side of the head are almost an unmistakable sign you’ve got a Knickerbocker! His body is fully jointed, covered in thick cinnamon mohair and is very slender which is typical of the bears made in the 1930’s…later bears became slightly chubbier. His paws are small, oval which velveteen pads and have no claw stitching.
Most Knickerbocker bears from this time period have amber glass eyes…but as you can see from the photos, poor Norman has lost his somewhere along the way in his past adventures. He is soon off to the bear hospital for a procedure in which he will regain his eyesight and he is very excited to see the world once again! Even without his eyes he is an absolute cutie of an American bear and has already been spoken for by a very excited buyer.
Stay tuned for more of Norman’s adventures in Seattle once he has his new eyes!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Markdowns on Sterling Silver and Crystal Dressing Table Items- At Crowned Leopard Antiques
We’ve just marked-down three beautiful items currently for sale at the Crowned Leopard Antiques online store…you’ll surely want to have a look!
1) English Cut Crystal and Sterling Silver Perfume Bottle
This lovely piece is absolutely exquisite! The pattern cut into the crystal features a stunning fan and diamond type pattern that reflects the light beautifully. The sterling silver, threaded lid is decorated with a swirling repousse design and has a very nice antique finish. This uniquely shaped bottle with its globular base and thin, elegant neck measures 5.25 inches high and is the perfect place to store a perfume or display on your dresser!
SOLD!!
2) Gorham Sterling Silver Three Piece Vanity Set
This elegant three piece matching sterling silver set consists of a handheld mirror, a handled bristle hairbrush and a faux tortoiseshell toothed comb. Each piece is clearly marked “Gorham Sterling B5-19”, monogrammed “MB” in beautiful cursive letters and features clean and classic lines symbolic of American silver. The set is in very good condition. This sterling silver vanity collection is a wonderful addition to any bedroom, powder room or a perfect gift!
SOLD!!
3) Cut Crystal Power or Dresser Jar with Sterling Silver Lid
This Foster and Bailey cut crystal vanity jar is absolutely sparkling! The pattern cut into the crystal features a fan and diamond type pattern that reflects the light beautifully. The lid is sterling silver and is clearly hallmarked with the Foster and Bailey flag mark and also reads “Sterling 3006”. There are beautiful, swirling botanical details around the top edge of the lid as well as an ornate script monogram in the center which appears to read JCS. The jar has quite large, globular shape and measures 3.5 inches x 4.5 inches. This is a very beautiful, solid piece which would be a stunning addition to any home or collection!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Just in from South Africa!
I’ve just received three gorgeous antique Victorian dressing table pieces and am excited to give our readers a sneak peek! Each piece is constructed of black velvet with beautiful British Sterling silver overlay work and range in age from 1901- 1905. The collection consists of a dressing table mirror which stands about 13” high, a rectangular dresser box and a delightful heart-shaped trinket box. For being over 100 years old these pieces are in very good condition and the silver work on each piece is simply stunning! I am working feverishly to clean the mirror and one of the boxes and they will soon be available for sale at the Crowned Leopard online store.
The heart-shaped box is available for purchase now! It’s a very eye-catching piece and its listing can be found Here.
What to do with a dirty teddy bear
Most antique and vintage teddy bears carry a very special past and are filled with years of love and plenty of stories for sure. Along with all the tea parties and adventures outside comes years of dust and dirt as well. With a bit of a clean-up an old teddy bear can absolutely shine but special care must be taken in the process. The materials used to construct bears in the early 1900’s don’t withstand much exposure to water. When Ludlow the Steiff from the earlier post arrived at my door he was just as adorable as his photos but could certainly use a bit of a clean. I consulted several teddy bear books written by experts on the matter. I have compiled what I learned below in hopes it will help others who are beginning to collect these special old bears. After receiving his clean-up treatment, Ludlow is certainly ready to charm!
1) Place in freezer
There are small critters that are attracted to teddy’s mohair coat and excelsior stuffing. It is advised that your new antique teddy be set in a plastic bag and placed in a freezer for 24-48 hours to rid him of any pests. Alternatively, you may also fumigate your bear by placing him in a plastic bag over night with moth balls or flea powder.
2) Oat bath
A very effective way of drawing out years of grease and grime is to give him a bath in raw oats. At first I thought this sounded crazy but gave it a try and it works! Fill a plastic bag with raw oats and rub the oats liberally but gently into teddy’s fur. I also covered Ludlow with the oats and let him sit for a while. He really thought it was some sort of spa treatment and came out with a much brighter and cleaner coat.
3) Good brushing
Especially after a nice oat bath, teddy could use a good, gentle brushing. I ran a fine toothed metal comb through Ludlow’s fur to remove any oat remnants and dust.
4) Vacuum
Vacuuming your teddy using the hose attachment is another very effective way to remove years of dirt and dust. Be sure to set the vacuum on a low setting and it is advisable to cover the end with gauze or a nylon stocking to prevent pulling too tightly or accidentally pulling out an eye…ouch!
5) Suds only bath
It is never advisable to immerse an antique teddy in water or place in a washing machine since many old bears have metal or cardboard disc joints and excelsior straw stuffing! A safe alternative is a suds only surface wash. Mix a gentle detergent (I used Woolite) in a bowl of warm water and work into a good lather. Dab the lather only into teddy’s fur over entire surface.
6) Rinse
Using a separate bowl of clean warm water lightly rinse teddy’s fur with a damp cloth. Be sure to remove the suds the best you can as left over detergent can show residue in the fur.
7) Air dry
Teddy should be naturally air dried while avoiding any sunlight.
8) Good combing and brush up
After teddy is dry, run a comb and brush through his fur again to fluff him up! You should see a real difference in the color and texture of the mohair fur.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Meet Ludlow! An old Steiff bear with a bit of a hearing problem….
Meet Ludlow…the newest addition of the Crowned Leopard teddy bear family! Ludlow is a very old Steiff bear dating from between 1915 and 1930 with a golden mohair coat, clear glass eyes and sadly…only one ear. While the ear missing would have typically carried his identification button, there is a very good chance he is indeed a Steiff bear based on the shape of his head and elongated nose, the positioning of his ear and the length and curvature of his arms. With a bit more research I am positive we will be able to more closely pin point his age and without a doubt determine he is from the elite family of handmade German Steiff bears.
Before he arrived I tracked down the name of a reputable bear repair person in the Seattle area to whom I plan to send him to repair his left ear. She will likely take his good ear, split it into 2 pieces and use one old piece each with a new plush to create 2 new ears to reattach. Apparently, this is a very common repair on these old bears as their loving, young owners would tote them around by the ear with the ear eventually giving way and becoming lost!
Ludlow arrived this past week and was just as charming and handsome as he had appeared in his photos! He has a fairly full coat of mohair considering his age and when you push his tummy he squeaks! Squeakers were common on older bears but most of the time you will find they no longer work due to years of squeezing. I did notice however that Ludlow was a bit dirty due to years of love and traveling around so I consulted bear books written by experts to determine best way to clean him without damaging him. In the next post I will detail the steps I took along with photos. You will see just how nicely he cleaned up. He is quite dapper looking and can’t wait to visit the bear hospital to have his ear replaced. More details on this special bear coming soon! “WHAT??” I said more details on you are coming soon, Ludlow! (see…he’s just a bit hard of hearing for now…)
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