Agates

As mentioned in my previous blog post, agates were extremely popular at Buckhead Market's North Shore Preview Party held on Friday. I sold out of the red ones, but I still have a few black/brown agates available. Some beautiful blue and teal framed agates are en route to Chicago at this very moment!

 The second most popular question behind, "what is an intaglio" was "what is an agate"?

1. ag·ate  

   /ˈagit/
   

   Noun An ornamental stone consisting of a hard variety of chalcedony, typically banded in appearance. A colored toy marble resembling a banded gemstone.

And yes, it is pronounced /agit/....I promise!


Below are some of the framed agates that were available at the preview party...

And a close up of the exquisite gold bamboo frames...

More agates are on the way and will be available at Buckhead Market's booth at the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques & Garden Fair April 19th - April 21st. We are located in the Esplanade Tent in booth 117.

Take a look at these beautiful examples of framed agate collections displayed in various settings...

Also, agates are really making a huge appearance in other aspects of home decor such as in this collage on a great blog http://luxeandlillies.blogspot.com

Take a look at this custom agate chandelier...

And agate composed as a countertop...

A beautiful collection of agate with sea life on a coffee table...

 I love these agates displayed on the etagere flanking the fireplace...

Come see Buckhead Market's beautiful collections of framed agates in Booth 117 in the Esplanade Tent at the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques & Garden Fair April 19th - April 21st.

Intaglios

Buckhead Market recently hosted the first home show as a preview to our Booth at the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques & Garden Fair to be held Friday, April 19th through Sunday, April 21st. The preview was a huge success with lots of interest in our intaglio groupings. In fact, the intaglios were the number one seller. Agates, original watercolor paintings and rustic antler prints also did quite well!

A lot of people were unfamiliar with intaglios prior to the home show, but people were drawn to them, especially the ones framed in beautiful white hand carved frames with gold accents. I sold out of my initial collections pictured below!

A little history...

Intaglio medallions were an international phenomenon during "The Grand Tours" between the 18th and 19th centuries before photography. The Grand Tour was a voyage from England or America to Continental Europe principally to France and Italy especially Rome, Venice, Naples, Florence, Pompeii, and Herlaneum. Wealthy tourists were thus exposed to classical architecture and continental art, history, and music to refine and enhance their education. The trip often took as long as four years. Writers from Charles Dickens (Little Darrit) to Margaret Mitchell (Gone with the Wind) speak of "The Grand Tour" in their writing. Collections of plaster cameos/intaglios illustrating the architectural monuments and ruins visited by the tourists were popular keepsakes and proof that one had received the benefit of this valuable and expensive trip. Intaglios were then used to seal documents with wax or merely displayed as a show of wealth and heritage.
 

These very meaningful and beautifully framed works of art make a striking addition to any space...

Buckhead market will have more of the exquisite intaglio collections in the white frames, as well as subtle silver with gold washed frames at the Chicago Botanic Garden Antique & Garden Fair. These are  en route to Chicago as I type! Additionally, these beautiful and classic intaglio collections in hand carved gold leaf frames are available.....

Buckhead Market is thrilled to share these special and historic works of art with The North Shore!