_dining & entertainment^

Antiques

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By Arthur H. Schwerdt

Those of you who have been following this column for the past three weeks know that all we have been talking about lately is porcelain. With so many wonderful examples of fine porcelain available in the local shops in Cape May County, potential buyers and sellers alike should have the benefit of some helpful information on the topic. This column will be the last that we will have to say about porcelain for a while. We will have pointers for potential collectors, and tips on how to find out more about this fascinating topic, but first, here are some of our "Design Dictionary" definitions of some terms we couldn't cover fully in earlier articles: BLANC DE CHINE is an all white Chinese porcelain usually used for statuary. The color varies from deep ivory-white to a stark bluewhite. It was widely imitated by European factories.

BOCAGE is used to describe ail those flowers and foliage in the background of figurines that were meant for frontal viewing only. CELADON is a very popular porcelain and stoneware to which has been added some iron oxide giving a color which varies from green to blue-green to blue-gray. GARNITURE or Garniture de Cheminee is the French term for a set of porcelain beakers and vases for display on a mantelpiece. (It's a great idea; try it in full size or in miniature, on the mantel or on a console. ) IMARI is the term used for a Japanese porcelain which was exported from the port of Imari. It became so popular that the

Chinese even imitated it (China Imari). It is a highly decorated porcelain with strong colors, especially a deep blue underglaze. deep red. and gold. MOONS are areas of brightness or particular brilliance and translucency on a piece of porcelain. QUEEN'S WARE is a creamy white porcelain also called Pearl ware. It was first made by Wedgewood for Queen Charlotte, and is very collectible. TOYS is a term used for small objects in porcelain such as scent bottles, toothpick cases, jewelry cases. These were gifts to ladies and were usually decorated with amorous scenes. These are especially collectible items. YOU WOULD have to go far to get better resources and reference works on porcelains than in our own Cape May County libraries. 1 use the Middle Township branch on Mechanic Street. There are many books on the marks found underneath many porcelains that should help you identify pieces that you have picked up in shops or that have been handed down to you. To see and feel fine porcelain. youf best primary resource is the local shop. Be careful. All shops have the "you break it you buy it" policy. BIT DON'T wait to break a piece in order to buy one. Every home should enjoy the warmth and beauty of porcelain to display, to collect, to hand down or to give as gifts. And old porcelains have an . investment-value head start. If you are going to use or display your collection you are going to have to take care of it. Needless to say. porcelain is breakable, and repair is only really worth the expense on pieces that are « extremely rare, valuable, or important for sentimental reasons. DUST YOUR pieces frequently with a soft white f cloth of camel's hair or feather duster so that you ' won't have to wash them too often. When you do wash your pieces, do so only with a very mild detergent to avoid the possibility of yellowing. Use a mat on the bottom of the sink, and keep the piece away from the faucet. Store or display pieces away from extreme temperatures and places where they may be knocked down These are not chores, these are opportunities to j spend relaxing and | satisfying moments with a little bit of history, craftsmanship. and beauty. NEXT TIME: some notes on cleaning and reviving furniture (Arthur Schwerdt, coowner of The August Farmhouse, on Route 9 in Swainton. invites questions c/o this newspaper.) i M

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