Vendors say sales remain strong at San Francisco Antiquarian Book, Print & Paper Fair 2012

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For 24 years, the San Francisco Antiquarian Book Print and Paper Fair has drawn bibliophiles together to refine their collections. The fair was Feb. 4-5, 2012. The report from Fair exhibitors was positive. Rosemarie Rustico of San Francisco’s W C Antiques described the first day as “killer busy.” The second day was a bit easier (Super Bowl XLVI might have had something to do with that). Read More +

Book Review: Symbols on Chinese Porcelain demystifies culture, artistry and nature

Symbols on Chinese Porcelain: 10,000 Times Happiness

Second only to the stunning photography, “Symbols on Chinese Porcelain” offers valuable context on why this porcelain style matters to the fine-art world, collectors and even philosophers. The book reveals the secrets of the symbols of good luck and the visual imagery of Chinese decorative elements by means of approximately 80 masterpieces of Chinese porcelain spanning 1,000 years. Read More +

Sale of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company fine art collection will benefit Winston-Salem arts group

Hundreds of pieces of art from the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. collection will be sold Feb. 10-12, 2012 to benefit arts organizations and individual artists. Many of the works are by local and North Carolina artists, including Claude Howell, Elsie Popkin, Edd Presnell, Sally Prange and Catherine Ryan. They include oils, watercolors, prints, sculpture, pottery, ceramics and textiles, as well as antiques and decorative items for home and office. There are substantial selections of dishes, flatware, and crystal. Read More +

Ceramic decorative art of the Aesthetic Movement

Aesthetic Movement platter

The design behind Aesthetic Movement ceramics is gaining new popularity in 2012 with a new museum exhibit and better-than-expected sales in Europe and the United States. No other medium reflects the diversity and personality of the movement than its ceramics. Objects and forms are as functional as they are unpredictable, colorful, and, well, just plain odd and very affordable. Read More +