Antique beaded wedding bag

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Here’s the perfect “something old” for that important day in her life: a truly exquisite, heirloom quality, antique beaded wedding bag in the old-fashioned “butterfly bag” style. I’ve never seen anything like it and I’m betting that this stunning bag was completely handcrafted for a special long-ago bride, probably by her doting mother or grandmother. Constructed of white pillow silk with an overlay of champagne chiffon on which four large intricate designs of tiny seed pearls have been painstakingly stitched. Additional seed pearl beading connects the four designs where they wrap around the bottom of the bag. The top envelope flap is extensively beaded in seed pearls and features rosette designs at the two front corners. Three snap closures securely fasten the bag. Size is approximately 9" x 4-1/2" when closed. Notice that one of the butterfly wings extends farther out than the underlying silk bag. This appears to be deliberate in the original construction (further evidence of handcrafting), not a flaw, and certainly not after-the-fact damage. Excellent condition with no loss of beads, no loose beads, and no discoloration to the beading. There is some discoloration to the white silk on the underside edge of the envelope flap. (That shows that it really is “something old”.)

Several weeks after I had written the above description for this wedding bag, Ol’ Swaphos finally read what I’d written and came unglued. He proceeded to tell me that this hand-made bridal bag was in his grandmother’s possession and then his mother’s for as long as he can remember, and he recalls them telling him that it was made either by or for his great-great-grandmother’s wedding. Since Ol’ Swaphos is no spring chicken himself, that would make this bag a “mid-century modern” – mid-19th Century, that is! As far as he knows, it was always intended to be passed down for each succeeding wedding as a family heirloom associated with his great-great-grandmother, a full- blooded Cherokee who married his great-great-grandfather, a wealthy plantation owner in Kentucky. According to the story, his great-grandmother and then his grandmother carried it at their weddings, but unfortunately, his mother eloped and so did Ol’ Swaphos the first time around, forgetting to take it with him when he ran off to get hitched. (Serves him right for doing that in the first place instead of waiting to meet and properly marry ME! Not to mention the fact that I’m just now seeing this bag and hearing its story after nearly three decades of marriage!) At any rate, this is a prime example of why we need to make and keep written notes of our oral family histories. Perhaps you will have better luck with the heirlooms you are acquiring, especially if you write down each beautiful object’s history and put it inside. Ol’ Swaphos says there is good karma associated with this bridal bag because all of the marriages in which it was carried at the wedding lasted until death did them part. (Click on picture for more images.) Tell a friend.

Price: $450.00 + s/h and insurance

  only 1 available

Lacy white wedding hanky

This is a positively gorgeous 10-1/2" x 10-1/2" vintage white wedding hanky. The 5-3/4" x 5-3/4" center square is gauze-like white cotton, surrounded on all four sides by a 2-1/2" lacy border that includes five roses with stem and leaves. Pristine unused condition with no holes, rips, stains, or discoloration. I didn’t have to wash and iron this one because its been carefully folded and stored in a little plastic bag for who knows how long, and that’s how it will come to you! (Click on picture for more images.) Tell a friend.

Price: $55.00 + s/h

  only 1 available

Raphael 56-piece expanded service for 8 - Oneida

This is a 56-piece expanded service for 8 in the Raphael pattern, a beautiful heavy weight deluxe stainless pattern by Oneida that was discontinued some years ago. Raphael was one of Oneida’s Heirloom line of stainless steel flatware, constructed of superior 18/10 stainless steel* (see below). The floral pattern is reasonably ornate without being over-the-top ostentatious. Beginning with three flower blossoms and leaves at the tip of the handle, the pattern proceeds to a beaded-edge plain center portion (suitable for a monogram) flanked on each side by a cut-out around which is a convex swirl that descends to two more flower petals followed by a smaller concave swirl. A center flower petal and leaves is then flanked on each side by two additional flower petals, followed by a graceful concave curve down the handle that flares out at the bottom to contain a final center flower petal and leaves. This expanded service for 8 consists of eight 7-piece (not the traditional 5-piece) place settings, comprised of a 9" table knife with 1-1/2" gently serrated tip, 7-1/4" table fork, 6-7/8" salad fork, 6-7/8" table/soup spoon, 6" teaspoon, 7-1/2" iced tea spoon, and 6" cocktail fork. Backs of all pieces (except the knives) are stamped “Distinction Deluxe Stainless by Oneida HH”. The knives are unmarked and also slightly different in that their handles have indented portions where the other pieces have cut-outs. (Click on picture for more images.) Tell a friend.

*18/10 stainless steel is essentially a low carbon steel which contains chromium at 10% or more by weight. It is this addition of chromium that gives the steel its unique stainless, corrosion resisting properties. The chromium content of the steel allows the formation of a tough, adherent, invisible, corrosion-resisting chromium oxide film on the steel surface. The '18' refers to 18% chromium which is added to the steel mix to give it stainless properties. The '10' refers to nickel which adds to those properties and also gives a silvery sheen. 18/10 gives greater protection against corrosion and has a softer shine. 18/10 is fully dishwasher-safe.

The development of 18/10 stainless steel was the brainchild of Harry Brearley who, in 1913, was working on a project to prevent rifle barrels from corroding so much during use. His analysis of the rifle barrels involved having to dissolve them in acid but, by chance, he noticed that steel which had a high chromium content did not dissolve in the acid. He experimented with varying proportions of chromium and finally produced a stainless steel with 12.8% chromium. He moved to Thos Firth & Sons in 1914 and commercial production of stainless steel cutlery began. Refinements were necessary because early versions of stainless steel knives were harder to produce and polish, and they would not cut as well as the existing knives.

This is a truly gorgeous set of high-quality stainless flatware to be treasured for a lifetime. Complete your service with our matching 7-piece serving set listed below.

Price: $500.00 plus s/h and insurance

Special Offer: Raphael 84-piece expanded service for 12

Combine our service for 8 with our service for 4 at the special price of $720.00, a 10% savings!

Price: $720.00 + s/h and insurance

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