The Marvel comic universe is quite expansive and it was extremely difficult to come up with a top 100. This list is not perfect – lists never are – but we hope the reception is warm because we love comics just as much as you. We’d like to discuss one of our favorite Marvel Villains on the list – Mad Thinker.

Mad Thinker is ranked #34 on our list. For many years the police did not know the Mad Thinker’s existence, despite the various criminal activities he had masterminded over that period. He only leapt into the public eye when he went head-to-head with the Fantastic Four. A brilliant strategist, he tempted each of them away from New York with various impossible-to-refuse jobs.

He subsequently used their absence to enter the Baxter Building and steal Reed Richards’ inventions. Manufacturing superhuman androids based on Richards’ designs he used them to battle the Fantastic Four. His motives remain unclear – perhaps no one is brilliant enough to understand them or could the Mad Thinker just be enjoying the game?

Mad Thinker is just one of many reasons why we decided to expand our list to a top 100. As we were saying before, there are so many great villains in the Marvel Comic universe that to leave a villain as great as the Mad Thinker off would be an incredible injustice. Another Marvel villain that unfortunately would have been left off our list if it was a top 10 list is Scorpion.

Let’s discuss a little bit of Scorpions background. Dr. Farley Stillwell had developed a method of giving animals the attributes of other creatures. When newspaper editor J. Jonah Jameson found out, he asked Stillwell to test it out on a human guinea pig, a private investigator named Mac Gargan. Stillwell’s amazing procedure gave Gargan the strength and agility of a scorpion.

Stillwell also provided him with a specially designed mechanical tail. Nothing comes without a price and the cost to Gargan – now calling himself the Scorpion – was the loss of his sanity. Contracted to put an end to SPIDER-MAN, it was only by his wits that the wallcrawler defeated the hugely powerful, and vengeful Scorpion. Since then, Scorpion has become an assassin-for-hire, his intermittent attempts to defeat Spider-Man being repeated foiled.

You are invited to check out the bios for all 100 Marvel Villains.

The thedailycontributor.com is a website where you can find reviews on movies, movie personalities, music, sitcom characters, marvel villains, and good places to visit. Also, we identify popular blogs as well as best blog on various topics for your convenience.

Antique dealers in general are in the unique field of art speculation. The job of a dealer is to find and identify an item that can be acquired at a reasonable price, kept for a period of time, and then resold at a significantly higher price. In doing so the dealer looks for pieces that may be undervalued by analyzing buying trends, his or her particular clientele, availability of similar pieces on the market, the overall trading activity at any given time, the historical importance of the item, and finally, perhaps most importantly, makes an aesthetic judgment.

Like many business, the rare and antique map trade has a fashion all its own. Certain maps and regions come into vogue and out of vogue frequently. In the 70s and 80s maps of Texas became extremely desirable pushing prices for this material well beyond similar maps of similar areas. Today Texas maps are still extremely desirable, but the bubble has burst and the rampant price increases of the 80s are no more. In fact, some Texas maps may have slightly decreased in value since the height of their desirability.

Today maps of Chinese and Indian cities are experiencing a similar price bubble as affluent collectors in Beijing, Shanghai, Bombay and Delhi enter the global marketplace. The price tenacity of maps of these areas remains very much in question. Though highly desirable now, one can only speculate on how global economic factors and general interest trends will affect this market. Like a savvy stock market investor, an antique map investor would have been wise observe the rapidly growing Asian economies and recognize an opportunity. Such an investor would have been able to snatch up these maps ten years ago when they were both common and easy to acquire and sell them today at a high profit. One might see a similar opportunity today with regard to maps of Russia, which are just beginning to see dramatic rise in interest.

Many antique map dealers who specialize in particular parts of the world command much higher than average prices for their target maps. Dealers based in places like Hawaii or New York City, must work constantly to keep their important local stock fresh for both ardent resident collectors and the tourist market. Such dealers, faced with limited availability, will often have no choice but to acquire their material at premium prices and resell at even higher prices. Despite their higher price point, such dealers are often the only active purveyors of their special maps and may well be the only resource for the desirous collector. From an investment perspective, there is still plenty of room for high profits, especially with regard to the rarest of these maps. In some cases, a collector may even sell their maps back to the dealer who originally sold it to them at a big profit! However, to be fair, this probably entails holding a map for several years.

There are also price spikes in the rare and antique map market. A few years ago I was bidding on an Ortelius map of Iceland at a New York City auction house. This wonderful map is a classic example of 16th century map making and features numerous bizarre sea monsters. Nonetheless, though interesting to look at, this map had not historically sold for exceptionally high prices because Iceland was simply not a hot area for collectors. The auction estimate was 2000-2500 USD, I was prepared to go to 2500 USD. The map ultimately sold for 10000 USD. Within a few days dealers, knowing that this map would be difficult to replace at former prices, updated their pricing on this map from 4,000-6,000 USD to 11,000 to 13,000 USD. Today prices have diminished from this high point and this map is now acquirable at 5000 to 9000 USD in some galleries.

Generally speaking, maps that are less common are better investments. Many maps are very popular because of their historic or aesthetic value and maintain consistent high prices despite being commonly (obviously this is a relative term) available. Such maps do increase in value over time, but the number of such pieces on the market keeps the price increase slow and steady. Such maps are unlikely to spike in value or increase dramatically over the short term. Unique or one of a kind maps, however, can command a premium and will almost inevitably increase in value dramatically over relatively short period of time. Many dealers, on acquiring such maps are at a loss with regard to how to price them. Without a sale history, the dealer must rely on his or her own experience, personal aesthetic and a historic evaluation of the map to determine its value. Even so, a investment collector can often safely acquire such a piece with the expectation a substantial increase in value over time.

And then, of course, there is the economy. More and more, investors disillusioned by wall street, are turning to the art market as a stable shelter to the disorientingly erratic stock circus. While economic issues may reduce the overall quantity of maps sold and dramatically affect auction values, most dealers and collectors purchase their inventory with the understanding that they may have to hold their stock for several years before selling. What this means for the buyer, is that the economy does not significantly affect rare and antique map values at the gallery level. However, it does significantly impact auction values. The current recession has been hard on many auction houses whose profits come from a fast turnaround of a quantity of items rather than timely appreciation. This also creates an opportunity for the savvy investor to snatch up rare finds at excellent prices.

Even so, it tends to be only the most ardent and dedicated collector who can win in an auction room. Many collectors are drawn to auction rooms by the possibility of acquiring valuable maps at a fraction of the retail price. This is, alas, also where many collectors make their biggest purchase mistakes. Succeeding in an auction room takes either luck or incredible knowledge of all aspects of the antique business. Many antique dealers, ourselves included, act as auction advisers and often bid for their clients – in this way map collectors are saved from making dramatic mistakes and overpaying on items that are misrepresented, overpriced, or unlike to accrue in value. Even with the fees assessed for this service by various dealers, it tends to be a very good value in the long term.

In conclusion, the answer to the question, “Will my map increase in value?” is “Yes, it will.” Generally speaking, map investors should plan on holding their purchases for about ten years to guarantee a significant increase in value. Those interested in maps as investments should also seriously consider developing a relationship with a good dealer who can help them direct their collecting interests and avoid the many pitfalls to successful investment in rare antique maps.

http://www.geographicus.com

Geographicus Antique Maps was founded by Kevin James Brown in 1999. We are generalist antiquarians dealing in antique maps from all over the world and in all price ranges. Our enthusiasm, passion and devotion to scholarship is expressed in our meticulously researched descriptions, among the most detailed and comprehensive available anywhere, for each and every map that passes over our desk.

http://www.geographicus.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/antiques-articles/antique-maps-and-rare-maps-as-investments-1041522.html

Grotesque art from the past ranges from varying degrees of mood and theme, but always seem to draw from those factors that are widely considered by most to be taboo or dark in nature, adhering to some of the most brutal and thought-provoking events in history.  All these things have come together to create a body of works that jump between particular eras, but seem interrelated in the subject matter that they portray, creating works that define the morbid attentions that we seem to take from our history as a whole.

Through the works of such famed artists as Picasso and Goya, the light within the darkness of our own human condition can be revealed to us, and these reflections of our culture are seeds to the future as the culture has evolved.  Many differing movements each seem to donate their own unique spin when considering these peculiar models of work, and the theme of horror and terror can be interpreted by my different people many differing ways, no matter whether today or some era further behind us.  For some cultures, it is a way to evacuate fear, and express it without harm to one’s emotional health.

Though morals may seem to be too constrictive today, there are still points where society converges on points that break past the emotional barriers that many people construct, and this art is very much a mirror for evoking an honest reaction at the reflection that stares back, a response that cannot be replicated any other way.  These images more than affect the rest of the present day world, as can be heard in many recent dimensions in music, and related themes can even be found in today’s popular attraction towards the horror films and novels which sell more than ever now.

It is when you consider the works of artists possessed by a certain vision, one that evokes pain as well as passion along with the other contradictions in life, and it is then that historic works like those of Hieronymus Bosch and even modern designs of H. R. Giger can be learned in equal measure of value.  Their predilections towards breaking the taboos enforced by their surroundings, has helped to guide us steps into the future of our own acceptance and appreciation for our world, and the layers of depth can be revealed when one takes the time to find those elements that appeal to the sense of artistic worth.

To take control of your knowledge of this kind of artwork can better equip you for finding the particular works that you would be most enthusiastic to own, and though most of the more famous works can only be bought as prints, there are still many artists today who practice a style that intrudes upon that thin layer on the surface that reveals the most visceral layers underneath that.  When looking for the right work to suit your tastes, a good deal respect must be given to those that attempt to translate their thoughts onto canvas, and you can come to better understand this category of art when approached with an open mind.

Today, some works by the artist Joe Coleman have more recently pushed the boundaries further back, and smashed a lot of preconceptions of artistic will.  His approach includes the use a single horse hair brush, and detailing so fine that many layers can be found after viewing the paintings and prints dozens of times over, creating a new perspective on it with each consecutive viewing of the work.  It is these layered degrees that artists strive for time and again to reveal insights into the nature of what it is to be human, and allow us to get in touch with sides of ourselves previously unknown or held back.

Matthew Jenkins, is one of the treasure hunters at the Treasure Hunters Roadshow. If you would like the Treasure Hunters Roadshow to come to your city contact at 217-636-7900 or visit TreasureHunters Roadshow

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/antiques-articles/art-auctions-grotesque-artwork-988995.html

The Wars of the Roses – 1455

One of Britain’s worst civil wars was that known as the Wars of the Roses, begin-fling in 1455 and lasting until 1485. It was so called because the two rival parties each chose a rose as a symbol: York (white) and Lancaster (red). It began when Henry VI (1421—71) became insane and Richard, Duke of York claimed the throne.

A number of battles followed (begin­ning with that of St Albans in 1455) with periods of truce between them. At the battle of Northampton (1460) Henry was captured and at Wakefield (1461) York was killed. The Lancastrians were de­feated at Towton in the same year and their position seemed hopeless until the powerful Earl of Warwick, the ‘King­maker’, and hitherto a Yorkist supporter, changed sides.

Henry was released from prison and again made king, but the Lancastrians were defeated at Barnet (1471) where Warwick was killed and the Battle of Tewkesbury placed York’s son Edward IV (1442—83) firmly on the throne. He was succeeded by Richard III (his own son Edward V dying mysteriously in the Tower) who reigned for two years until he died on Bosworth Field fighting the Tudor prince who was to become Henry VII  (1457—1509).

The struggle between the Yorkists and Lancastrians came to an end with the Battle of Bosworth Field. fought on August 22. 1485. Richard lll was killed and Henry Tudor came to the throne.

Historical Armouries are manufacturers of authentic arms and armour handmade reproductions of any Century. www.historicalarmouries.com

Historical Arms and Armour Institute have also introduced a New Adult course on production of authentic Arms and armour, the first of its kind in Europe. This course is spanned over 3 years and we are on the 3rd year now. Our students have learned how to make maille armour, and shields, have also learned a lot about Arms and Armour in general and of course a comprehensive study of historical battles, war tactics, and function of siege weapons.

Historical Armouries also cater for the movie industry, should any movie company require our services with regards to arms armour or man power, we can accommodate them locally, which makes things much easer and economic for the movie makers in question.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/antiques-articles/the-wars-of-the-roses-1455-994428.html

Philip of Macedon invades Greece – 338 BC

Lying between Thrace and Thessaly was the small kingdom of Macedon. It was peopled by tough mountaineers who were very independent but, as a nation, Macedonia was little regarded by its neighbours, the more powerful Greek states.

Philip II, King of Macedon (382—336 BC), however, was to make them change their minds. He was a brilliant diplomat and strategist and managed to weld his independent warriors into a disciplined army. In a style new to warfare, he armed them with four metre-long pikes and drilled them in an equally new tactic of warfare — the phalanx. His foot soldiers held the enemy at bay with their long pikes, leaving the Macedonian cavalry free to charge at the enemy’s weakest point.

The Greek states of Athens and Thebes joined together to fight him, meeting at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC where Philip scored a great vic­tory, which opened the frontiers of Greece to his army.

At the Historical Arms and Armour Institute, we educate and teach all that one needs to know about period arms and armour, how it was made, how it works, what was its function, when it was used, who used such armour and weapons, etc.

A New Adult course on the production of authentic Arms and armour, have been launched since the year 2007 by the Historical Arms & Armour institute the first of its kind in Europe. This course is spanned over 3 years and we are on the 3rd year now. Our students have learned how to make maille armour, shields, padded armour and other interesting pieces.

Have also learned a lot about Arms and Armour in general and of course a comprehensive study of historical battles, war tactics, and function of siege weapons.

Historical Armouries manufacturers of authentic handmade arms and armour of any Century. For any kind of armour and restortaion visit our site on

www.historicalarmouries.com

Historical Arms and Armour Institute was established a few years ago by a group of dedicated men, who hold to their heart and have great concern towards our rich European culture, especially that of Malta, The Island of the Great Siege of 1565, the island where the era of the Knight was eased out., Amongst others Historical Arms and Armour Institute have Master craftsmen and Master armourers who have been producing functional authentic replicas of Arms and Armour for the past twenty-five years of experience in professional consultancy in all the stages required for manufacturing of Arms and Armour.

Historical Arms and Armour Institute have produced pieces of armour, for local museums such as The Palace Armoury, Palazzo Falzone and also for the Malta International Airport, of which a showcase with our armour is on display at the Arrivals section (look it up on your next trip to Malta). Historical Arms and Armour Institute have also been commissioned by Heritage Malta to recreate missing pieces for original armour presently on display at the Palace armoury and in European Union.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/antiques-articles/philip-of-macedon-invades-greece-338-bc-996035.html

Accession of Alexander the Great - 336 BC

After the battle of Chaeronea (see 338 BC Philip of Macedon invades Greece) Philip II was preparing to lead a Greek and Macedonian army into Persia and put an end to their empire. Before he could do so he was murdered by one of his nobles, and his son, Alexander (356— 323 BC) took over the command.

He was only twenty-two when he set out with his army, and was never to see his homeland again. Indeed, he was des­tined to make himself master of the world during the next eleven years and to earn himself the title of ‘the Great’.

He marched into Syria and defeated King Darius III of Persia (reigned 336— 330BC) at the battle of Issus (333BC) then swept on to capture Tyre after a siege of seven months, before invading and con­quering Egypt. He next led his army into Mesopotamia to defeat Darius III yet again at the battle of Arbela (331 BC) then pushed on, despite grumblings from his weary army, until he reached northern India. He finally made his way down to the Indus and then, satisfied at last, he agreed to lead his world-conquering war­riors home again. He reached Mesopo­tamia once more but became stricken with fever and died in Babylon at the early age of thirty-three.

At Historical Armouries, we not only produce Authentic Arms and Armour for the serious collector or SCA re-enactors, but we also buy and sell original period arms and armour from any private collector from around the world. We can also help private collectors sell original pieces. Any armour or weapon considered to be original however has to have certified proof to it’s originality. No requests for this service will be accepted unless such a certificate is presented. We do not accept fakes or fraudulent certificates and we reserve the right to cross check any certificate procured.

We also lease for short term or long term to film industries, or private functions at reasonable fees, depending on the time period which shall be discussed with the person or company requesting such services. We only rent or lease to local clients, but special arrangements can be made for overseas clients, depending on the credibility of the person or company requesting such services and this is solely to our discretion.

www.historicalarmouries.com

Historical Arms and Armour Institute was established a few years ago by a group of dedicated men, who hold to their heart and have great concern towards our rich European culture, especially that of Malta, The Island of the Great Siege of 1565, the island where the era of the Knight was eased out., Amongst others Historical Arms and Armour Institute have Master craftsmen and Master armourers who have been producing functional authentic replicas of Arms and Armour for the past twenty-five years of experience in professional consultancy in all the stages required for manufacturing of Arms and Armour.

Historical Arms and Armour Institute have produced pieces of armour, for local museums such as The Palace Armoury, Palazzo Falzone and also for the Malta International Airport, of which a showcase with our armour is on display at the Arrivals section (look it up on your next trip to Malta). Historical Arms and Armour Institute have also been commissioned by Heritage Malta to recreate missing pieces for original armour presently on display at the Palace armoury and in European Union.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/antiques-articles/accession-of-alexander-the-great-336-bc-998453.html

History is ripe with instances of elginism and few nations are innocent of the practice, though it’s clear that the richer the nation, the more common the practice. Museums in Britain, the United States and Germany display a vast tapestry of ancient history with ties that are born of colonization and war. At least these artifacts that were illicitly gained are on display to be appreciated by the masses, even if those masses seldom have any direction lineage to the history they represent. Oftentimes, elginism is even more villainous and criminal. Much of the natural history that’s been stolen from poorer nations resides in private collections, appreciated by individual owners and no one else.

Much has been done in the last 60 years to preserve the natural history of vulnerable nations. The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has put international law in place to discourage the artifact trafficking and protect monuments, statues and sculptures in their native land. The primary protocol established in 1954 defined specific regulations around the protection of cultural property in the event of war. A second protocol was added in 1999, extending the intention of the law to not only prevent the treatment of cultural artifacts as “spoils of war,” but also to prevent their destruction during armed conflict. An international fund was also established to facilitate the return of cultural property to its rightful nation.

Despite these international laws, recovery of stolen artifacts is often a lengthy process even when nations demonstrate some level of cooperation. In 1990, antiques restorer Jonathan Tokeley-Parry, a shady fixture of the British art collector scene, smuggled a bust of Amenhotep III by coating it in liquid plastic and painting it black and gold. The makeover gave the artifact the look of a tacky souvenir that fooled they eyes of customs officials. Tokeley-Parry was charged four years later in Britain for attempting to sell another ill-gotten archaeological find. Police recovered the Amenhotep III bust five years later, but it would take almost twenty years of legal wrangling by Egypt before the Pharaoh’s bust was returned to its rightful home.

The fate of the Parthenon Marbles remains undecided. The Greek government and populace cry out for their return and state with pride that the Acropolis Museum has been constructed as a worthy and rightful home. Some voices in the British government sing the same chorus, introducing legislation before the Parliament to return the “Elgin Marbles” to Greece. Others worry that the return of the marbles will set an unsettling precedent that will begin a wave of demand for the return of cultural artifacts. They argue that if this flood gate is opened, some of the world’s most beloved museums will soon be barren.

The questions surrounding cultural ownership are complex. There is truth that the stewardship of cultural property by other nations has actually preserved many cultural artifacts that would have fallen into disrepair or been destroyed had they remained in their cultural context. Some argue that when artifacts are gained in conquest or conflict their ownership becomes part of the conquering nation’s history. Ultimately the solution is not likely an all-or-nothing proposition, but lies somewhere in the middle ground of shared ownership.

One wonders what viewpoint Indiana Jones has on this topic. Does this fictitious collector of rare antiquities have an opinion about where the Ark of the Covenant truly belongs? Certainly not with the Nazis. The US government, unlikely. If Dr. Jones had it all to do again, he might just leave it in Tanis satisfied knowing that the Nazis were digging in the wrong place.

Rob Mabry is a former Army journalist, screenwriter and technologist. Rob owns Your Museum Store where you can find great deals on museum quality replicas of statues, sculptures, artifacts and fossils based on exhibits from museums around the world. More of Rob’s articles can be found at The Curator’s Corner.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/antiques-articles/parthenon-marbles-or-elgin-marbles-new-museum-sparks-debate-997904.html

The murder of Caesar – 44Bc

The Battle of Pharsalia made Caesar lord of Rome. He then had to deal with Africa which was in revolt. A short campaign ended in the victory being announced in the Senate as Veni, vidi, vici (I came, I saw, I conquered). He returned to Rome and took supreme command; the Repub­lic was at an end. Now the head of the army controlled the empire.

Unlike Marius and Sulla, Caesar pro­claimed a general pardon for all his former opponents, not one was put to death. He; then instituted a number of popular reforms, but some jealous men who wished to restore the Republic waited for him in the Forum and stabbed him to death.

A Second Triumvirate was formed consisting of Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony), Lepidus and Octavius, Caesar’s heir.

His conquest of Gaul extended the Roman world to the North Sea, and he also conducted the first Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC. The collapse of the triumvirate, however, led to a stand-off with Pompey and the Senate. Leading his legions across the Rubicon, Caesar began a civil war in 49 BC from which he became the master of the Roman world.

After assuming control of government, he began extensive reforms of Roman society and government. He heavily centralised the bureaucracy of the Republic and was eventually proclaimed “dictator in perpetuity” (dictator perpetuo). A group of senators, led by Marcus Junius Brutus, assassinated the dictator on the Ides of March (March 15) in 44 BC, hoping to restore the normal running of the Republic. However, the result was another Roman civil war, which ultimately led to the establishment of a permanent autocracy by Caesar’s adopted heir, Gaius Octavianus. In 42 BC, two years after his assassination, the Senate officially sanctified Caesar as one of the Roman deities.

Much of Caesar’s life is known from his own Commentaries (Commentarii) on his military campaigns, and other contemporary sources such as the letters and speeches of his political rival Cicero, the historical writings of Sallust, and the poetry of Catullus. Many more details of his life are recorded by later historians, such as Appian, Suetonius, Plutarch, Cassius Dio and Strabo.

Historical Armouries manufacturers of authentic historical arms an armour of any Century.

www.historicalarmouries.com

Historical Arms and Armour Institute was established a few years ago by a group of dedicated men, who hold to their heart and have great concern towards our rich European culture, especially that of Malta, The Island of the Great Siege of 1565, the island where the era of the Knight was eased out., Amongst others Historical Arms and Armour Institute have Master craftsmen and Master armourers who have been producing functional authentic replicas of Arms and Armour for the past twenty-five years of experience in professional consultancy in all the stages required for manufacturing of Arms and Armour.

Historical Arms and Armour Institute have produced pieces of armour, for local museums such as The Palace Armoury, Palazzo Falzone and also for the Malta International Airport, of which a showcase with our armour is on display at the Arrivals section (look it up on your next trip to Malta). Historical Arms and Armour Institute have also been commissioned by Heritage Malta to recreate missing pieces for original armour presently on display at the Palace armoury and in European Union.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/antiques-articles/the-murder-of-caesar-44bc-1000333.html

The elegant and ethereal medium known as “glass” is simply and basically made of sand, and or, silica and a flux; sodium or potassium.  These elements fuse together when melted at a very high temperature, resulting in the product readily recognised as glass.

Glass is an ancient invention, having been produced for the past 5000 years and particularly since the development of techniques in the 18th century.  The first glass makers were found in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, 5000 years ago with examples of this early glass surviving today.  At the time, it was seen as a very exotic product and study has shown that the simple techniques used were held as secret by those ancient artisans.

The first glass products were rather crude bottles and flasks, produced by moulding the basic shape from mud.  The modelled shape was held by inserting a short metal rod into one end with the shape then dipped into molten glass thus forming the “core” of the flask shape.  Long molten threads of glass, known as “canes”, were then wound around this basic shape until the flask or bottle was complete.

 

Before its fall, Egypt held the monopoly on glass making throughout the known world.  When the Romans invaded Egypt, they quickly adopted the glass making secrets discovered.  It was, in fact, the Romans who continued the development of glass making with the introduction of glass blowing, around the 1st century BC.  It was from this Roman development of glass making that led to the production of glass through out the Western world.

In the meantime, the Chinese had discovered glass which, in ancient China, was attributed with special properties such as the ability to keep evil spirits away.  It was also considered to have healing properties being associated with gemstones and crystals, however, prior to the 17th century, the Chinese found little use for this product.  It should be remembered that, up until the 19th century, architecture worldwide used very little glass in windows, with the Chinese favouring sheets of translucent paper.  Nor was glass required for storage purposes due to China’s highly developed and refined production of porcelain.

While China had been producing glass since about 700 BC with various small glass workshops operating throughout the country, most of these workshops with their small random outputs, were short lived.  It is also apparent that glass did not rate Imperial patronage until the late 17th century with the Kang Xi Emperor (1662-1722) establishing the first state glass factory as an Imperial workshop in 1696.  The workshop was located within the palace walls of the Forbidden City and was staffed with the best craftsmen to be found in China.  

The beautiful Chinese glass, so well known in the West as “Peking glass”, was in fact, introduced to the Chinese by a 17th century German Jesuit missionary priest.  The missionary supervised the establishment of the Imperial workshop and brought many Western techniques of glass and enamel work to the Chinese court.  As a result, Peking glass has been correctly described as a “stepchild” in the great family of Chinese decorative arts.

Interestingly, it was the introduction of snuff, or, finely powdered tobacco, that led to the establishment of the Imperial workshop.  When Europeans first arrived in China, not only did they discover new and exciting things, but the Chinese, equally unaware of the Western world, discovered ideas new to China and snuff taking was one of them!

Due to the fast developing habit of using snuff at the Imperial court and it quickly gaining popularity in high society, glass snuff bottles were produced.  The Imperial workshop commenced production of tiny bottles specifically, for the purpose of containing snuff or powdered tobacco being for use by the Imperial family, or, given as gifts to civil and military ministers of the Imperial court and foreign diplomats.

                                               

                                  

 

A Chinese “Peking Glass” table lamp, the lamp of typical thick walled, heavy construction, weighing just over 4 lb / 1.8kg.  The mustard yellow lamp standing on a custom made, gilt wood base and seated in a gold plated bronze ring, the lamp fitted with a gold plated bronze cap.  Circa 1900.  Overall height (including shade) 22″/56cm

 

                                     

A Chinese “Peking Glass” table lamp.The glass of a rich cobalt blue and of typical Peking glass type, thick walled and a heavy base with a weight of 4.2 lb / 2 kg.

The down light of the lamp producing an effective illumination of the cobalt blue glass, (more widely known in the West as Bristol blue). The lamp fitted with a turned, gold plated bronze cap and standing on a turned Maple wood base burnished with Dutch gilding. Circa 1900       Overall height (including shade) 20”/50cm

 

These early productions were monochromes or, single colours in Imperial egg yolk yellow, ruby red and opaline green.  They were of simple shape, or, ”scholar’s taste”, ranging from plain to highly decorative pieces with multicolored glass overlays, the glass being either carved or faceted.  

Overlay glass was later developed.  This involved dipping a glass item into a vat of molten glass of contrasting colour.  The shape was then cooled, requiring a 3 day period after which it was decoratively carved revealing the original coloured layer of glass.  Glass carving is a lengthy and tedious process, both time consuming and labour intensive.  The final shaping and polishing is done by hand in the traditional jade-cutting process of methodical grinding and polishing. 

The Peking glass lamp illustrated is a single color example and was produced by repeatedly dipping the glass shape into a vat of molten glass until the required shape was produced and finally finished and polished.

Today, Peking glass is found in many forms both functional and purely decorative.   

The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co specialise in antique lamps with an on-line range of over 100 unique, antique lamps.  Lamps are shipped ready wired for the US the UK and Australia.

 For more information you are invited to visit their web site at:-

 www.antiquelampshop.com

 © The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co 2009

 

Maurice Robertson, principal of The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co , has had a lifetime’s association with antique porcelain and pottery,with his commercial experience spaning a period of 40 years,including as a valuer to the Australian Government’s Incentive to the Arts Scheme. His long experience with antique ceramics and glass also includes dealing with leading museums and numerous international private collections. He has extended his ceramics expertise into the quality table lamps seen on the company’s site, he is well known to local and international interior designers who have included many of his table lamps in their projects and has also supplied items of national interest to the official Sydney residence of the Australian Prime Minister.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/antiques-articles/antique-lamps-peking-glass-1001857.html

But on Wednesday she was trying to sell several valued items at the Treasure Hunters Roadshow at the Super 8 in Cape Girardeau.

While she didn’t sell her silver coins or toothpick holders like she had hoped, the Cape Girardeau resident received $35 for a chain purse.

“I got more out of it than I thought I would,” said Schweer, who had never sold items at a similar show before. “I’ve had it for several years, and when I saw the ad in the paper for the roadshow, I thought this would be a could time to see how much I could get for it.”

Since 1996, the Treasure Hunters Roadshow has visited more than 600 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. At each show local residents bring their antiques and collectibles to learn an associate’s estimate of its worth. If the seller agrees to sell the item to the associate, the item is then shipped to private collectors or its corporate office in Athens, Ill.

“Our goal is for people to leave with a check,” said show manager Doug Feese. “With it being so close to Christmas, we hope to see a lot of people and put a lot of money back into the local economy.”

During the show’s opening day Tuesday, Feese and his team of four from Athens saw about 60 customers. The potential sellers brought gold, jewelry, silver coins dated before 1965, military swords and a 1957 Gibson guitar. The guitar sold for $17,000.

Feese said his company is looking for old collectibles to purchase. Those include various types of coins, paper money printed before 1934, gold coins, investment gold, scrap gold, jewelry, platinum, silver, war items, guns, trains, toys, advertisements and other older items.

“If it’s older items like those, then there’s a good chance they’ll get an offer and leave with some money,” Feese said.

Since Feese joined the company, he has traveled to cities throughout the Midwest. Among the communities he has visited are Sikeston, Mo., Owensboro, Ky., Indianapolis, Madison, Wis., and Rockford, Ill. His team is off until January, when its next road show begins in Mason, Mo.

“There’s nothing more fun than to go to a new town and meet new people,” Feese said. “I always enjoying hearing their stories.”

Some of his favorite stories include an elderly gentlemen at an Indiana show who sold a jewelry box for $4,200 so he could pay bills from his wife’s funeral and a single mom at a Michigan show who used money from gold coins she sold to pay for her child’s braces.

“Those are the kind of stories that I get to hear from folks who sell their items,” Feese said. “At every show it seems like we hear an inspiring story.”

The Treasure Hunters Roadshow continues through Saturday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Matthew represents thousands of collectors around the world looking for all types of antiques and collectibles. Treasure Hunters Roadshow represents these private collectors who are actively seeking items for their collection.

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