Monday, December 22, 2008

Wanna See Something Nou.....veau?

Well if you do? I've got some goodies to share with ya!
It's my collection of turn of the century art nouveau jewelry boxes. As a crazy collector (with limited funds*alas*) I've found that collecting these little beauties can be very satisfying! They're not difficult to find. They're very affordable, and sooo charming!! Won't you join me for a small tour of my cuties?

(You can click to enlarge any picture)

I have the majority of my boxes in this display cabinet in my bedroom but they are also scattered all over my house. I abide by a $25 rule. Can't spend more than that on one. And with very few exceptions (a couple of the larger ones) I haven't.

I found this interesting article for those who might like to learn more about art nouveau jewel boxes http://collectingbuzz.com/articles/jewelrybox.html





I love little metal objects of all kinds. Here sits a borzoi dog , a small cupid, and hiding in the middle with only the top showing is the arc de triomphe.


On the far right is one of my exception boxes (paid a wee bit more...OK I paid a LOT more!!) It's quite a large one with a portrait of Napoleon. But I HAD to have it! *winks*

Aren't the flowers lovely on this one? I often wonder who the lucky receiver of this box might have been? And was it for a special occasion? And what might have been hiding inside? Maybe........
Some beautiful violet crystals like these?...... Naw probably not. Isn't the icy blue silk interior luscious?!!

And check out the little dog paw feet on this one!

But just look at the top!! Isn't it wonderful?!!

And looky at what's on the inside! A garage sale brooch missing many rhinestones but wonderful just the same! And all that pink silk tufting!! Now this is shabby chic at it's finest dontcha think? *winks*

How about those legs?!! And what might we find in this beauty?


Ahhhh it's a victorian necklace lying on a bed of green tufted silk.

This little box tells the story of a noble lady and her family. There are raised reliefs all around the sides showing various family scenes. But I really love the interior of this one!

It has the most darling faded pale pink roses! Isn't it the sweetest little thing?

I imagine many a young lady received her engagement ring in one of these little boxes.

Can't you just see her wonder and surprise at finding something like this waiting inside?


This shot is "outside the box" Lol! and features a little paperweight with a picture of the ponte vecchio in Florence. And do you see the little Limoges box with the eiffel tower? Yep, yet another collection for another day *winks*

Isn't he a perfectly mournful boy? His expression says "get me away from all these girly boxes!!!" Y'all know how much I love busts!
Well that's it for today. Sorry I was so late in adding a new post. I'm having problems with my puter. Hope you liked my little collection. And if you post any collections of your own? Please come get me K? Cause I'd love to see them!! Vanna

43 comments:

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Vanna, these are the most incredibly beautiful things I've ever seen. I can only imagine the engagement rings that came from such a beautiful box.You certainly captured the beautiful details. Are they fairly easy to find or rare? I'll think of you. Happy Holidays!!
hugs ~lynne~

Mary Ellen (megardengal) said...

I'm taking a little breather from trying to get things packed for our trip tomorrow- Am so glad you posted - looking at your collection certainly was a nice way to take a little break!Oh these certainly are beautiful boxes Vanna. Might you find another one under the tree this Christmas or does DH say enough is enough and onto another collection!?

Melissa Miller said...

Hello Miss Vanna,

Oh my goodness they are ALL just gorgeous! Such details and elegance. Exquisite!
I'm now officially on the lookout for one. :) HEHE!

I'm working on my TT post right now. The crown is pictured in it! It's not nearly as big as yours. It's cute and teensy. You've got me wanting more crowns now as well. My eyes are pealed.
LOL!

~Melissa :)

mbkatc230 said...

Vanna, what a gorgeous collection. They are all absolutely beautiful. But I must say that poor borzoi looks lost among all those jewelry boxes, I think he wants to come live at my house with my whippet collectibles lol. Hugs, Kathy

salmagundi said...

Those are wonderful! I've seen them occasionally when antiquing - I must take a closer look in the future. Merry Christmas. Sally

Royaltouch said...

Fabulous Vanna, I like anything Victorian! I only have one or two of these ( as I really don't need any other collections,lol!). Such a statement in a whole collection like this. You have some terrific things, thanks for sharing, I enjoyed that!
Linda

Femin Susan said...

Hello vanna…….
Your blog looks awesome with photos. this good collection...It looks breathe taking and too good for words. I like your blog……

Wishing you "A Merry X'Mas and A Happy New Year''.

Myrna said...

Hiya Vanna!
I love your collection..and love how you put little 'prises in 'em when you open 'em up!
Thanks for your compliments about my bedroom...but I have to confess..remember when I told you I saw your house on RMS? Well, I fell in love with your WHOLE HOUSE, and was especially inspired when I saw YOUR bedroom, that I printed out the little picture of it to refer to when I redid MY bedroom!! I just laughed out loud when you complimented me on it--I think we're gonna have to join the Mutual Admiration Society together!! ;-)
Have a wonderful Christmas!!
Blessings!
Myrna

ann said...

Oh honey you are such the romantic one.What an imagination.That;s another reason we all love you.This is awesome,as usual.Merry Christmas...Annie Poo

profenretraite said...

Oh wow, Vanna!! These things are gorgeous! And I love how you made up little stories to go with the boxes. Love the little Tour Eiffel...now you've got me wondering what other kinds of collections you've got! BTW...I'm a godmother!! Come over to my blog and see pics of my godkid!!! Merry Christmas...Debbie

Bo said...

Well, who says you're too old to learn...now I know what those gorgeous little boxes are...art nouveau jewel boxes...thank you Vanna for the lesson! I want some of these now!! ;-) Bo

Michelle said...

Vanna, what a beautiful collection of jewelry boxes! I saw some like this in Aurora. They have sweet little antique shops there. By the way you are 1.5 hours from me? Where are you at again??

marty39 said...

Vanna, you do have the most incredible collections. The detail is just fabulous on each and every box and the inside detail is so beautiful. I love to hear your enthusiasm when you describe each wonderful piece. Thanks Hugs, Marty

Gollum said...

I'm swooning with joy, dancing up and down. This was fabulous! I have one little box and had no idea what it was.

Ma'dame French said...

These are truly incredible.....but the question of the day is how much to fill each one with jewelery?? (lol) Frenchxoxoxo

Shelia said...

Oh, Vanna! Daaaaaaaaaaaaahling, these little boxes are marvelous! What a collection you have, too! OOH, if I could sneak over with my big pockets on, I could borrow one and I'll bet you'd never miss it!
Thanks for sharing all of your beauties!
Have a blessed Merry Christmas,
Be a sweetie, too,
Shelia ;)

Happy To Be said...

WOW !! girl you got me drooling now...hope your happy..these are just to beautiful I have a couple but had not a clue what there were called I think I have odd buttons and paper clip and one earing that I can't find the other one in mine..love the story you did with them..so are a good one Vanna..hope you have a safe and blessed Christmas Vanna...and tell cousin Denise I said "merry merry" hugs and smiles Gloria

nikkicrumpet said...

Vanna that is such a beautiful collection! I can see why you're drawn to them.

vintagewindow said...

Vanna, Thanks so much for sharing your beauties. I love the way you have them displayed. They make such a bold, yet delicate statement.

Merry Christmas

Kris

Sue said...

Vanna this collection is just gorgeous!! Of course because I love anything with a flowerbasket, I love that brooch. You are quite the collector my dear! Have a wonderful Merry Christmas with your loved ones! xo Sue

LillyB said...

Simply Stunning! A wonderful collection!!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Glenda said...

No matter what happens today, it won't be a total loss because I learned something. Thank you for the link that explained these amazing boxes.
I have decided that the box I possess that my Grandmother used as a button box is most probably a jewelry box. It is so ugly, that I have come to love it. It is so unattractive, it's pretty. It is a dirty grayish/black color with what appears to be an Asian theme on top. While the box is metal, the inside is wood. My Grandmother was born in the 1880's so that makes the time period right. My Grandmother died a few years before my marriage in 1965, when I was given the box for it's practicality. As a new bride, her daughter she had been living with when she died, thought I might benefit from the collection of buttons.
While nowhere as beautiful as your boxes, I will now look at it differently, and dream in my mind how my Grandmother came to acquire it.

Helen said...

I don't know when I've seen such an amazing collection ... just beautiful! It's obvious how much they mean to you .....

laurie said...

Oh Vanna, how beautiful! The boxes are so gorgeous, but I didn't expect the interiors to be so beautiful too! You have such a wonderful collection. Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed this so much. Have a wonderful Christmas. laurie

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Vanna, I'm glad you liked the tablscape. It was so much fun putting it together with the help of the grandson. The flatware came from Target. They had fabulous colors. Deep chocolate brown, cream and green..they were a whopping .99 a piece... You know I got all 3 colors. Gotta love a bargain, that doesn't look like a bargain.lol.
From our home to yours,
Happy Holidays,
hugs ~lynne~

Tomarie said...

Welp, that's it! I've GOTTA start collecting these! I have fallen in LOVE with these!! And don't blame you for paying the extra bucky for the Napoleon one..it's beauty! I'm off to read the article..we wanty some of these! Thanks for showing your collection! L~

lvroftiques said...

Hi Glenda! I always love a visit from you! Glad I could help! Wish I could see your grandmothers box.

Laura HEY girl!! Well you can easily find them almost anywhere! Which is a wonderful thing about these. Ya know how sometimes ya just want a little somethin' somethin' pretty? You don't want to spend much money but the shopping bug is biting at your patootie? These are always the perfect find for me! *winks* Let me know if you get one! Vanna

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hey girl.. let me know if you find them..braving snow and ice. Girl be careful out there. We need "no" accidents...Good luck!!
hugs ~lynne~

Jessica said...

Hi Vanna~ Thanks so much for the visit today. Your collection is amazing! I'm going to have to keep my eye out for these. :)My husband will love it when I find something else to collect...lol.

Thanks for being such a sweetie!

Have a wonderful Christmas :)

Hugs~ J

xinex said...

Oh Vanna, I love all your art nouveau jewel cases. How ornately and graciously designed. You really are the master of collections and you do it so well. You find the best of the best. Merry Christmas my friend!...Christine

Chari said...

Ho...Ho...Ho...& Merry Christmas!

Hi Girlfriend,

I'm so glad that you stopped by and took a peek at my "Old World Santas"! It's always such a pleasure to have you visit!!!

Now...for these lovely treasures that you collect...they are truly magnificent!!! Oooh...and I just love imagining who recieved the gift and what the gift was!!! They are all so incredibly ornate and I just love the beautiful fabrics and patterns that they used for the inside of these precious little jewelry boxes!!! You have a lovely collection...thank you so much for sharing them!!!

Well my friend...I'm sending you my very best Christmas wishes and I pray that the Lord bless you and your family in the coming New Year...may it be filled with love, peace, joy, abounding health!!!

Love ya Darlin',
Chari

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Oh Vanna I love your jewelry boxes ! Now you have gone and got me to wanting some of them !LOL.
Hope you have a blessed Christmas !

Julie said...

Just wanted to say that I enjoyed visiting your blog. Merry Christmas!

ann said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS...ANNIEPOO

Kathysue said...

HiV,I love all the little jewelery boxes.Each one is so unique.The interiors are amazing.It is such a shame that craftsman don't take the time that they once did.How nice to find so many treasures and how nice of you to share them with us.I love alllll of your wonderful collections. Hugs to you ,Kathysue

Kristens Creations said...

I'm glad you liked Chase's letter. LOL! You have a beautiful collection of jewelry boxes. I love all of them! They are even beautiful inside too. Happy New Year! Kristen

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Vanna, thanks for swinging by girlfriend, it means the world.. I think the vote is in and the bowl must be from Germany..it means the world to me because it was my Betty's. I am truly fortunate to have it..hope you're having a super w/k..hugs ~lynne~
p.s. did you get to Target and find the flatware?? :-)

suzanne said...

Now i am in love with these beautiful boxes and want to start my own collection. Is there anything special i should look for ? Oh my goodness i just love them. I love the one you have with the faded roses lining.
suzanne

Tootsie said...

just stopped by to wish you HAPPY NEW YEAR Vanna!

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

What a FABULOUS collection! I have a couple of little boxes but didn't know what they were...thanks for the education & the eye candy!

OCDesigner said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Your blog.
Hope this comment gets to you.

ann said...

man,I missed another one.Gesh,whats with me?Ann

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