A Few More Little Bits & Bobs From The Oxford Collection...

If you were following KT Miniatures Journal towards the end of 2015 you will have seen the wonderful rare pieces that came from one single collection - I called it "The Oxford Collection" simply because they came from an old Oxford Attic.  The lovely old miniature treasures belonged to several generations of the same family. Most of the rare items that went up for sale before Xmas have now been sold. So I have now begun to list some of the other pieces that came with the collection that may not be quite so valuable in monetary terms or indeed rare but are equally delightful. I will highlight one or two of the items on here...

Starting with this lovely wooden grandfather clock, with black and gold paper clock face and metal rim. I suspect that it is German and early 1900s. There is also a decorative moveable metal pendulum and an additional black textured border at the bottom of the carcass frontage.

Then there is this attractive German wooden sideboard, with a decorative diamond trim. At first I thought this had an air of Art Deco to it, but then the shape of the top curved side pieces led me to think that maybe this is earlier and more Art Nouveau style? 

 

One of my favourite pieces, although quite crude in construction, is this delightful Japanese wooden shelf with a stencilled coloured flower motif on the top. 

In addition, a previous young owner has created strips of mock books on lengths of cardboard which have then been coloured in with pencil crayon. They have then been inserted into each shelf and to help keep them in place, screwed up bits of newspaper have been inserted behind. I could not resist taking a peek at some of the newspaper bits and although I could not find a date on any of the pieces,  I suspect that this all dates from the 1920s/1930s. The above items, along with one or two other new additions that did not belong to the Oxford Collection, can be found on: www.ktminiatures.com/Antique_Vintage_Living_Dining_Room.html

This is a delightful handmade ottoman made from card, covered in pink silk and with a delightful image of irises painted on the lift up lid.

I understand that several members of the family that owned the Oxford Collection were talented artists so am assuming that it was a family member that made this. Although quite worn around the sides, it is exquisite.  

This can be found on:  www.ktminiatures.com/Antique_Vintage_Bedroom.html

And finally...

 there is this Japanese miniature house!!

There is quite a lot of fascinating detail, including a tiny window with lace curtain, a staircase and also ladder.

 

On one side there is a block of crinkled edged wood which I think is meant to represent a mill wheel?

And then when you lift up the rather splendidly detailed roof, you will find two holes inside which reveals that this was originally made to hold two bottles of some kind. I think the previous owners used this in their dolls house nursery as a miniature dolls house, albeit an unusual one. However, I also think that this could make a fantastic chicken house for your old dolls house back yard? This and some other weeny bits can be found on: www.ktminiatures.com/Antique_Vintage_General.html

I will have more odds and ends from the Oxford Collection to list over the coming days.

Celia