jing-jing Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 I'm hoping someone here can help me with a mystery I'm trying to solve. I have several beautiful and intricate medieval style peices of dollhouse furniture that I found at a texas antique and dollhouse shop. The peices had been at the shop for at least 10 years and everyone there had forgotten where they had come from. Each peice (an alter, a chair, chest, a wooden candlabra and a frieplace that has a bronze ghostly face screaming through it) were approx $50-$150 each and each has curious markings on the bottom. On the bottom of each peice is glued a tiny zeroxed photo of the face of a very distraught -looking man, usually partially covered with his hand like he's having a breakdown. Each photo is slightly different than the others. Each peice also has a tiny phrase glued to the bottom..."April used 2 bring showers", "if I rained 4 u", "can't stop, got no brakes", "drawn 2 the dark horse". Each peice also has a hand-written symbol on it...hard to explain...kind of a g with a sideways m and a colon... Has anyone out there seen anything similar or know who this artist is? It's driving me crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPCullen Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Welcome Jing-jing! I'll let Calamari and CatColorado know about this post, since I think they may be able to help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nameless1 Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 The logo ought to be the key clue, but it rings no bells with me. I'm going to toss out random thoughts... 1. Could the sideways M be an E? 2. Barbara Moore is the one maker of medieval furniture I know offhand, but the initials don't fit. 3. Could the G be a sideways A? The pictures and slogans on the bottom have the feel of Allegra Mott, but I don't know if she actually did that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minis On The Edge Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Welcome to the Forum!! I wish you had pictures of them!! I would love to see your wonderful finds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakyshaky Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Hi and welcome. Sorry I can't help I am still way to new but your furniture sounds neat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 I'm no help with identifying them either, but I'll ooooh and aaah over such an incredible find! Welcome to the forum Jing-Jing! Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatColorado Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 Doesn't ring a bell with me either. My suggestion would be to get a scan of the labeling and start asking collectors and makers of medieval miniatures if they recognize the mark. Join Small Stuff if you haven't already, they have a huge membership and would be your best bet for identifying an obscure artisan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jing-jing Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 Thanks for the feedback! I'm going to attempt to post some pictures of the mystery furniture. I'm not great with technology though...so bare with me. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakyshaky Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I don't have a clue but they are beautiful. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wenlaine Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Wow, they are absolutely beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 These are great . Have no idea what they are. Valerie ----------------------- Dollhouses on a shoestring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatColorado Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Well, they used Tiny Turnings on the chair, that much I recognise. Not much help, I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniMadWoman Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I can't help either, but the pieces are lovely! What are you planning to do with them? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anya Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I'll see what I can find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jing-jing Posted January 24, 2006 Author Share Posted January 24, 2006 Thanks! I'm using the peices in making a 'realistic' look at an herbalist's (witch) house. Hidden rooms, voo doo dolls, potions, fairies infesting the whole place, dragons taking singing lessons in the attic, ouija boards, tarot rooms, you name it. I've been working on it for over 3 years and I'm still not finished. (My husband doubts that I would be able to recognize what "finished" would really look like.) Little does he realize that once 'Exeter House' is done I'll be landscaping the entire kitchen table. :lol: The biggest theme to the house is magic and I'm trying to add little alusions to magic and horror books and movies that have fascinated me. Mary Poppins umbrella hangs in the corner, snow white's stepmothers mirror reflects a decaying portrait of Dorian Gray...Poe's raven raps at the upstairs window, a table on the parlor hold the white rabbits missing timepiece, a tiny cup enticing 'drink me' and a copy of 'Through the Looking Glass". Marley's ghostly face lears out of the chimney. Red ruby slippers (a gift from her Cousin Glenda) glitter in a dark corner. In the hidden room a house elf is giving singing lessons to a dragon (much to the chagrin of the woman in the haunted mirror). In the greenroom pumkins are waiting to be turned into carriages, poison apples are being label and a cask of amontillado is waiting to be tapped. I'm a little obsessed I think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anya Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Thanks! I'm using the peices in making a 'realistic' look at an herbalist's (witch) house. Hidden rooms, voo doo dolls, potions, fairies infesting the whole place, dragons taking singing lessons in the attic, ouija boards, tarot rooms, you name it. I've been working on it for over 3 years and I'm still not finished. (My husband doubts that I would be able to recognize what "finished" would really look like.) Little does he realize that once 'Exeter House' is done I'll be landscaping the entire kitchen table. :lol: The biggest theme to the house is magic and I'm trying to add little alusions to magic and horror books and movies that have fascinated me. Mary Poppins umbrella hangs in the corner, snow white's stepmothers mirror reflects a decaying portrait of Dorian Gray...Poe's raven raps at the upstairs window, a table on the parlor hold the white rabbits missing timepiece, a tiny cup enticing 'drink me' and a copy of 'Through the Looking Glass". Marley's ghostly face lears out of the chimney. Red ruby slippers (a gift from her Cousin Glenda) glitter in a dark corner. In the hidden room a house elf is giving singing lessons to a dragon (much to the chagrin of the woman in the haunted mirror). In the greenroom pumkins are waiting to be turned into carriages, poison apples are being label and a cask of amontillado is waiting to be tapped. I'm a little obsessed I think... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Gosh I am jealous. Those pieces would look great in a Beacon Hill. Hey if you ever want to sell them let me know hehe. :lol: Your creation sounds brilliant. I cannot wait to see it. You'll have to post some pics on here for us. If you need any animals for your Herbalist house I can make you some if you are interested. You can see examples of my animals on my gallery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPCullen Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Wow! And where are the pictures of this creation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jing-jing Posted January 25, 2006 Author Share Posted January 25, 2006 It's still in the works. I have several bare areas, a lot more unfinished ideas, plus I haven't done any of the crown molding or even found the perfect paper or flooring for a few of the rooms. But maybe I could do a few "in-progress" this weekend. I have a very busy little one-year old but I'm sure I could distract her for a few minutes. :angry: Does anyone know where I could find ravens (1:12)? I found one at hobby lobby but that's the only one in Houston apparently! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hydroped Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Hi Jing-a-ling, Alice Zinn makes Crows and Ravens and they're surprisingly reasonable. I've also been workin on making some Crows because I like them a bit smaller. Let me know if you'd like info on how to Contact Alice. I have her Webshots in my Webshots favorite list. She's a wonderful person! -David P.S - forgot to say that if you're also interrested in any desert animals or reptiles check out Tori West's work. Last time I looked her website was down but she makes the most Amazing realistic and accurately scaled Snakes, Lizards, even a horned lizard (horney toad) so realistic that people have asked me if it's alive - and it's smaller than my pinky nail (probably about half the size of my pinky nail). You also might want to check out her dragon skull (which is more expensive but really Awesome!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Alice. I have her Webshots in my Webshots favorite list. She's a wonderful person! I'll second that! She is also very active in CIMTA, for those thinking of selling their handiwork. Small Stuff's archives ought to have a few of her adventures in traveling to shows (the trip to Japan was a hoot!), to give you a taste of what goes on there. I've seen her work and you expect her dogs to bark (some of the ones she makes now DO :angry: ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jing-jing Posted January 26, 2006 Author Share Posted January 26, 2006 I'm in love with Alice's stuff. Thanks for the tip! I just dropped her an email. :angry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivalingparis Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Have you considered taking them to a specialist? All artisans(no matter what they make) leave a signature. There are people who do nothing but study these signatures so that works of art can be appraised and then insured for appropriate amounts. You know b/c of the photo that your furniture has been at least tagged with the photographs since 1886. But in the long run that's probably not too helpful. You might also consider that the tagger and the signer may be two different people altogether. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuttiwebgal Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Welcome to the forum Rivalingparis! thats a good suggestion. Tell us a bit about yourself. nutti :angry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jing-jing Posted January 27, 2006 Author Share Posted January 27, 2006 Thanks Rivaling Paris! (Cool name BTW) I did send some picks to an expert at miniature hallmarks but I haven't recieved a response yet. My feeling is that the pieces are not very old. If I had to guess I would say 10-20 years old max...but then I could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkmoon Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 Wow- what completely wonderful pieces! I'm working on a similar theme- the esoteric magic stuff, too. It sounds like you have many inventive, intriging things~ I can't wait for photos! I'm in the collecting stage- I have my little witchy one and some of her accoutrements but no setting yet... Welcome and good luck with identication of your mysterious find. ;) Also welcome to you too, Rivalingparis ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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