You don't have to be an expert to start your own art collection!

When I was younger, I used to buy prints and posters to decorate my apartment. Today there are so many wonderful decorative artwork bargains to be found, but there may come a time where you want to begin collecting original artwork. You don't have to be a millionaire to acquire quality pieces of original artwork, both old and new. Once you bring your first original painting home, you may find that prints and mass manufactured decorative items will no longer satisfy your decorating whims.

Purchased this at an antique shop about 12 years ago. It was a little over my budget at the time, but I've never regretted it. It is in the original frame with the original hand made glass that has ripples and bubbles in it. This was one of my first "original" art purchases.

Many people are afraid to buy original art because they feel they don't know anything about it. If the price is right and it's something you love that will bring you joy every time you see it, then it is well worth it. Buying the real thing doesn't have to be about an investment or whether the artist is famous -- it should be about surrounding yourself with pieces that possess the age, wear, texture and life that can only come directly from the artist's hand.

Here is an old painting/tapestry. I fell in love with this piece the moment I saw it and HAD to have it. The subject matter is lovely and the needlework is exquisite.

When I look at some of my favorite pieces, I wonder how many hands it has passed through over the years, where the artist was when he was painting it, what he was thinking, what the world was like then. You can almost imagine looking into a window of the past seen through the eyes of someone from long ago. You come to realize that you may just be a temporary steward until the time when your possessions out live you and are passed on to the next guardian.

Paintings don't just have to be on a canvas. There are many pieces of affordable antique porcelain that have been hand painted by both amateurs and professionals. In the early 1900's it was fashionable for young ladies to paint porcelain dishes, cups, and vases. Most of them painted violets, lilacs, and other flowers. Some artists signed their work -- others did not. But this delicate work from a bygone era is a lovely way to decorate without spending a fortune.

A lovely old Limoges porcelain bowl that has been hand painted in an art nouveau style with a crab and coral theme. It's amazing how these striking colors can liven up a room.

You can find original art almost anywhere -- flea markets, estate sales, garage sales, auctions, and eBay to name a few. Keep your eye out for the real thing next time your are out bargain hunting and you may be surprised how easy it will be to begin to create your own original collection!

The Tea Cart - Time to Resurrect a Forgotten Art

Tea Carts were a staple of the 1800's and early 1900's. They were used to display a hostesses finest china whilst serving tea and desserts or any number of delicacies. The art of tea drinking has certainly made a comeback with stores like Teavana popping up in every major shopping mall not to mention the health benefits of drinking tea. What better way to savor an afternoon cup of tea with a friend than with a fine antique tea cart, our best sterling silver and delicate porcelain tea service?

Below is one of our favorite tea carts featuring a beautiful hand painted scene of peacocks and cherry blossoms. Let's bring the tea cart back along with all of the finery, pomp and circumstance that make a memorable experience for our guests and bring some quiet elegance to our hectic lives. Hope you love this cart as much as we do! To see more lovely relics from the past, visit us at www.meadowlaneantiques.com.

The Fascinating Borzoi

Meadow Lane Antiques is Going to the Dogs!

The Borzoi was immortalized in porcelain and decorative arts in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, particularly in the Art Deco style. This regal creature was bred and revered by Russian aristocracy for centuries. These graceful dogs were bred for intelligence and quickness and became a symbol of the rich history of Russian Czars and nobility. To this day, the breeding of the Borzoi is officially regulated by the Russian government to restore their agile working abilities.

The worlds finest porcelain makers are featured in this week’s new listings. Borzoi sculptures from Rosenthal, Hutschenreuther, Wein, Herend, and Schaubach Kunst are just some of the makers included in this large collection. Please visit us on eBay at Meadowlaneshops or on our website at www.meadowlaneantiques.com to see these beauties close up. Visit our Facebook page at Meadow Lane Antiques & Treasures and be sure to “Like” us!

Do you have a favorite piece of artwork that features a Borzoi? Share it with us and post a photo! Here are some of my favorites.

Hutschenreuther figurine of two gorgeous Borzoi's dogs laying down side by side. It is marked with the Hutschenreuther, Kunstabteilung hallmark and I believe US Zone. From the stamp on the bottom I believe this piece dates to sometime between 1946-1948.

Ebeling & Reuss figurine of two regal Borzoi dogs. It is impressed on the bottom with the numbers 2553 and has the original Ebeling & Reuss sticker. One can read E&B on it. From the stamp I believe this dates the piece to the 1950's. 

Robert Ullmann designed this piece in 1936, although I am not certain of its manufacture date. It is stamped with the Augarten hallmark, Augarten Wien Austria and the numbers 203. It is impressed with 1713, "F" and made in Austria.