An Antiquarians Tale Issue 21

Clinton Howell Antiques - December 25, 2017 - Issue 21

An Appreciation of English Antique Furniture

A semi biographical journey of my life in the English Decorative Arts

Christmas in the UK is really not like Christmas anywhere else. It is a season of parties that begins early in the month of December and continues through Jan. 1. Up until my first Christmas in the UK, my Christmas holidays had, as a rule, been on a tropical island. To be among people that wanted carols and traditional Christmas fare for the entire month of December was a novelty. It is enjoyable until it becomes overkill and then you want January--desperately. Maybe that is the point. In any case, to my UK readers, I wish Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year and to my American readers, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you don't celebrate Christmas, I wish you all the best and a spectacular New Year and applaud your forbearance for staying subscribed.

Below is my favorite pig, il porcellino, a copy of a bronze Florentine fountain made in 1634 by Pietro Tacca (1577-1640). The grand tour was the European finishing school for gentleman starting as early as the late 17th century and Italian entrepreneurs did their best to create mementoes of the tour of which my little marble pis is one. These mementoes have never ceased being made and it can be vey difficult to determine their age. This little boar is probably from the first half of the 19th century. He would make a terrific Christmas present, but I sold him a number of years ago. Reluctantly, I might add.