Some of you may recall a blog post here on Rare Victorian regarding Frank N. Otremba, a Hawaiian woodcarver that produced a mantel and chair for Mark Twain around 1908.  Twain purportedly had a choice between the two items and chose the mantel to be...

I’ve put up a pair of Pottier & Stymus Egyptian Revival mounts on Ebay. They’ve been sitting on my desk, staring at me like some 19th century paperweights, so hopefully someone has a better use for them than I.  If you’re interested in adding them to...

I’m a big fan of the incorporation of animal imagery into furniture made in the 19th century. When done well, it can elevate the level of style for a piece above those without these elements.  It also requires a good bit of carving skills and finesse...

NEW ORLEANS – October 10 and 11 found New Orleans Auction Galleries, Inc. in full fall swing offering more than 1,200 important lots including some fabulous Victorian items. Of most interest was an elegant mid-19th century American Rococo Revival...

I was digging through the original furniture manufacturer catalogs that I have and ran across this Jordan & Moriarty parlor set that has a caption of “Library Medallion, Marie Antoinette, Grand Duchess, &c.”  Notice the earlier representation of...