Round up beautiful objects seen at Masterpiece London and Alesund, Norway

Sometimes I am like the blogger version of a wedding DJ and I take requests.
Jill from Everything Just So asked me to go to Masterpiece London and I did try and take a picture of those ballerina brooches but they said pictures had to preapproved with communications so I couldn't...Sorry but I did try!

Let me start at the small city of Alesund in Norway.
I went to a small antique store that had the most astonishing and sophisticated selection of objets d'art that could parallel any major art capitol.

Look at these
guilloche ( there is an accent over the e but I am borrowing Mr CSW's PC) enamel teacups!

This Danish art deco tea set had me doing foreign exchange calculations from Kroner to sterling.

These enamel salt shakers were divine.
In certain circles, it was considered poor manners not to have several salt shakers on the dinner table and it was seen gauche to ask to pass the salt.
He had competitive prices because the same shakers but as a set of two sold for the same price as the set of 6 in London.

Objects like this is what made Tiffany a world class name and it should go back to its roots before it loses its brand credibility for good.

Faberge never hurt nobody.
If only the translucent nature of the cup could be translated properly in the picture.

Only because a dear friend was holding her masters show at Central Saint Martins did I manage to get the energy to go and see it the day after I arrived from my trip.

These ceramic lights took my interest because they were fragile yet moveable from the rubber bands.

These are my friend's water filter project and her ceramic jugs.
She has made some inserts that you can place in your own pouring and drinking vessels.
So clever.

Not that she's anti Brita but she is a true boho and has one of the most sophistsicated palates around and she wants to bring some panache and good design to water filters.
Watch this space.

There was also the usual art student stuff and believe it or not this top made out of fake finger nails was the best thing in the MA Fashion department...

I went to an auction preview to see what cheeky bids I could put in.
I didn't put it on this...

This was Eva Braun's calling card.
Yes. That one!

I didn't even other putting a bid on this set of Herend but in the end I don't have the space but it ended up going for about £300 for the lot.

I didn't get this bergere chair because I put in as always a cheeky bid.
 I had to because of the cost of upholstery in this country.

Although I do like the trim.

Paintings like this don't exist in Asia.

If you have the space you can still get bargains on big brown furniture.
This armoire had great details for half the cost of IKEA.

Went to Masterpiece today which was held in the same grounds as the Chelsea Flower show.
Can you feel the heat?
Boiling today.

It's a lovely event and like being in a museum where everything is available for purchase.
A bit of a downer for an oligarch who loves the chase.

They had these huge flower arrangements dotted around everywhere!

There were some never publicly seen pastels by Monet.

I know they are a bit old fashioned but I love a Fantin-Latour and they look good with all sorts of furniture which is handy!

This folding screen was supposedly painted by a Napoleonic prisoner of war who was held in Sissinghurst. How gorgeous is the chinoiserie cabinet?

This event proved to be a big deal indeed as so many dealers made a huge effort in their stands.

Sorry about this picture but this stand below won the award for best display because they brought wall paneling and the floor from Paris.

When I got my engagement ring, I almost went for an antique Roman carnelian ring.
While I have nothing against diamonds and like them like everyone else, I have always admired the artwork and the stories ( known and unknown) to these rings.

I have a huge fascination for the  quatrefoils / Byzantine cross / four leaf clover motif.
I tried on this 6th century Byzantine ring.
Just because.

Not that I would wear it on the same hand as where I wear my quatrefoil bracelet that is also carnelian which surely was a sign, it's an item I could imagine wearing with frequency.
I asked the price then regretted not going with my gut and getting an antiquity ring because it seems the prices have quadrupled since I got engaged...

Meanwhile, my imaginary shopping trip was filling the trolley.

Long time readers will know that my lottery win purchase is the zip necklace by Van Cleef which
I wrote about here.
The brooches by Van Cleef were shown by another dealer but this necklace was at the Van Cleef stand itself.

Love the ladybug.

They also showed some of their vintage pieces.

This bed was the main attraction at Rose Uniacke's stand.

The bed was 68,000 pounds and it didn't include the bedding.
That was extra.

I was walking around and saw this Mason 1800's chinoiserie fireplace surround.

It was porcelain fired in 8 different parts.
I didn't even bother asking the price.

There was so much Delft to choose from and this was what I walked away with.

In my dreams.

This was a nice crisp blue and white Sevres piece.

This floral gilt set was on the other end of the spectrum but lucky I am not picky.

The cameo stand.

I fell in love with this gilt and leather Indian shield.

Oddly this piece won the award for best piece of jewellry but it did nothing for me.

This painting won the award for best something or rather which I can not recall.
It won due to the perspective as when you stand next to it you feel you are next to the Eiffel Tower.

Wouldn't these Chinese Chippendale chairs and planter go so well with that fireplace surround?

But then we would have to find a suitable table and that would be a headache so I guess I am saved from that trauma..! ;P

Hope you are all well x