Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper

Quill Boxes

Quill boxes originate from the tropical island of Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka) and most date to the second half of the 19th century. The range and quality of these porcupine quill boxes varies from crude to extravagant. Timeless in their appeal, these wonderfully decorative boxes fit into traditional as well as contemporary decorating schemes. Their graphic nature and geometric shape makes them strong as an individual piece, or as a collection. Here are some of our favorites from current stock:

$1,800 - 16''w x 14''d x 6''h
 

$695 - 11''w x 7.75''d x 4''h



$425 - 8.25''w x 6.25''d x 3.5''h



$425 - 7.75''w x 5.75'' x 3.25''h



$425 - 7.75"w x 5.75"d x 3"h



$425 - 8"w x 6.5"d x 3"h



A very special box from Phoebe's private collection

Also, Phoebe recently found this reproduction quill box as well as a set of turned wood vase that hold real quills. Check them out:

$130 - 8"w x 6"d x 3"h



Wood vase ($40) holding porcupine quills - $27
Medium lackwood vessel - $45
Small lackwood vessel - $30

Mercury Retro-Chic

Mercury glass is a favorite of Phoebe's. It can take on so many forms - boxes, vases, lamps, bowls, picture frames, lighting - truly endless. Not to be confused with mirrored glass, originally mercury glass was blown double walled, silvered between the layers with a special solution, and finally sealed. It tends to have a more imperfect finish than true mirrored glass.

We recently received many new mercury glass pieces in our stores. Below is a sampling of what we have. As always, please contact me with any questions!

(1)
$125 - 6''dia x 5''H

(2)
$310 (plus shade) - 12''w x 27''h

(3)
$325 (plus shade) - 8.5''dia x 22''h

(4)
$350 (plus shade) - 8''dia x 30''h

(5)
$1,840 - 21''dia x 30''h

(6)
Prices range $125-184, Sizes 12"-20"h

(7)
Set of 6 Antique Etched Mercury Tazzas - $2,900
(5) small 8"dia x 5.5", (1) large 10.5"dia x 8.5"h

(8)
$300 (plus shade) - 14"h

(9)
$330 each - 20.5"h x 10.5"w

(10)
$45 - 10"h

(11)
$495 (plus shade) - 28"h

(12)
$425 (plus shade) - 26"h

(13)
Votive: $29 - 4.5"h
Large vase: $176 - 12.5"h
Round finial: $110 - 11.5"h

(14)
$74 - 12"dia

(15)
$72 - 10.5"dia

Treen

“Treen” is an all-purpose name for small, handmade household items that are made from wood. Treen’s size and purpose is what distinguishes it from furniture (tables, chairs, etc). It is a functional item that once served a true purpose in the home. Now, treen is almost purely decorative. Examples of treen are wooden plates and bowls, boxes, spoons, cups and wooden tools.

Wood used to play a much greater role in the creation of household items. Turning and carving were the primary manufacturing techniques of the time, and wood-turners took great care in their selection of wood (close-grained native hardwoods such as box, beech and sycamore were favored compared with more exotic woods). Since then, metal and plastic have become more available and cheaper to produce.

As the story goes, this evolution in manufacturing makes treen rare and special. It is popular with decorators and collectors alike for its beautiful patina, rich history and uncommon use. Even in the smallest of sizes, each piece adds presence and importance to a room. It is simple, beautiful and can stand alone or within a vignette of objects.

(1)
$125



(2)
Glove Powderer - $400



(3)
Tobacco Jar - $450



(4)
Tobacco Jar - $595



(5)
$675



(6)
$700



(7)
$700



(8)
Footed Bowl - $325



(9)
$700



(10)
Vases - $990 for pair



Phoebe purchased this collection of modern wood turnings - what great shapes and colors. The grouping makes quite an impact.

Glass Dumps

Glass dumps are wonderful, decorative objects that can add unique sparkle in many settings. Phoebe and Jim often purchase these on their buying trips in Europe, especially in England. It is believed glass dumps were first made in the 19th century, when glass was a very valuable commodity and no bit of it was wasted. The term “dump” possibly arose from the fact that there was excess glass when factory workers finished their shifts. These leftovers were then shaped into smaller objects, often with imperfections creating an interesting pattern inside. Sometimes additional adornment was added to give the item even more interest and value. Green glass was a common material, which is what you will often find if scouting them in the antique market.

These accessories are perfect both gathered in groups and solo on coffee tables, bookcase or end tables. While the antiques are certainly beautiful, there are many reproductions on the market today that create the same effect without the higher price tag. We have both antique glass dumps and reproduction glass spheres, and below we have photographed our current collection in the stores.

(1)
$135 - 3.5"dia
SOLD

(2)
$155 - 2.25"h
SOLD


(3)
$155 - 2"h
SOLD


(4)
$215 - 2.5"h
SOLD


(5)
$365 - 3"h
SOLD


(6)
$795 - 4.5"dia x 4.5"h
SOLD


(7)
$795 - 5"dia x 4.5"h
SOLD


(8)
$950 - 6.5"dia x 3.5"h
SOLD

Reproduction Glass Spheres:


(9)
small: $40 - 4"dia
med: $75 - 4.75"dia
large: $99 - 5.5"dia



(10)
small: $65 - 4"dia
medium: $125 - 4.75"dia
large: $155 - 5.5"dia



(11)
small: $32- 5"dia x 4.5"h
medium: $42- 5"dia x 5.5"h
large: $60 - 6"dia x 6"h



(12)
small: $42 - 4"dia x 3.5h
large: $65 - 5.5"dia x 5"h

Pillows: New Additions!

We frequently receive requests to post the pillows we have at Mrs. Howard and Max & Company. Because they change so often, we cannot commit it to a permanent category, but we wanted to give you a peak at we have now.

Phoebe custom-designs the majority of the pillows we carry. She selects the most beautiful fabrics and then adds the prettiest dressmaker details. Phoebe also designs pillows for clients' homes, so do not hesitate to ask if you interested. She has even created really beautiful monogrammed pillows - definitely an indulgence but worth every penny (see the very last pillow below)! Price depends entirely on fabric and detail choice.

If you are interested to see our past posts about pillows, click here, here and here!

(1)
$125 - 15" x 18"



(2)
$225 - 16" x 20"



(3)
$225 - 20"sq



(4)
$225 - 20"sq



(5)
$225 - 20"sq



(6)
$225 - 21"sq



(7)
$225 - 21"sq



(8)
$225 - 21"sq



(9)
$225 - 21"sq



(10)
$245 - 20"sq



(11)
$245 - 20"sq



(12)
$245 - 21"sq



(13)
$125 - 20"sq



(14)
$139 - 20"sq



(15)
$189 - 24"sq



(16)
$199 - 22"sq



(17)
$199 - 22"sq



(18)
$210 - 20"sq



(19)
$225 - 20"sq
SOLD



(20)
$225 - 22"sq



(21)
$270 - 22"sq



(22)
$290 - 11" x 18"

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are a perennial favorite at Mrs. Howard, and they are the perfect accessory for outdoor summer entertaining. We just got in some beautiful ones and thought you would love to see them. While we cannot make hurricanes a permanent category (the inventory moves far too quickly), if you are in the market definitely take a peak below to see what we have!

And click here to see what we wrote before about hurricanes.

(1)
$199 - 9.5"dia x 16.75"h



(2)
$36 - 6.5"dia x 9"h
SOLD



(3)
$225 - 9.25"dia x 17"h



(4)
$229 - 9.5"dia x 17.5"h
SOLD
(more available)



(5)
$289 - 8.5"dia x 16"h



(6)
$325 for pair - 5.5"dia x 15.75"h



(7)
$52 - 8.5"dia x 15.75"h



(8)
$54 - 6.5"dia x 9"h



(9)
$79 - 6.25"dia x 12.5"h



(10)
$289 - 9.25"dia x 14"h



(11)
$305 - 7"dia x 16.5"h



(12)
$500 - 20.5"h



(13)
$350 - 14.5"h



(14)
$140 - 8.25"h



(15)
$646 - 12"h



(16)
$1,210 - 18"h



(17)
$310 - 18.5"h



(18)
$190 - 10"dia x 15.5"h



(19)
$225 - 8"dia x 12.25"h



(20)
$225 - 6.25"dia x 17"h



(21)
$325 Pair - 6"dia x 14.75"h



(22)
$325 Pair - 8"dia x 16.5"h






(23)
Tall - $830 - 5.5"dia x 15h
Short - $646 - 4.75"dia x 12h

Drift Away

Sometimes the humblest of materials can make the biggest decorating impact.  Phoebe is known for her love of natural, organic materials as well as the finest of antiques and fabrics.  This is what keeps her style fresh and lively - using interesting combinations, guided by the hand of experience and an innate eye for knowing what works and what doesn't. 

Simple, inexpensive driftwood, with its very form shaped by nature, makes fabulous decorative accessories.  Lamps, chandeliers, and mirrors - the possibilities abound.  These pieces look especially good in beach houses or mountain retreats, but really they can be used anywhere if the setting is right.

Here are some of our current favorites: