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M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES & FINE ARTS
 

www.mfordcreech.com

 Once upon a time, Christmas was quiet

There was music around, but some wouldn't try it

 One Bishop so fine in 129 suggested a Hymn for the singing

But not much is said 'bout what 200-ahead years would be bringing

Could be one day a few monks started to hum -

Tried it with Psalms - all hundred-fifty - of 'um!

Like David of old they knew they'd struck gold

And the church decided to 'buy it' - kind of

Twas in Latin for 800 years more - chanting fine lessons and lore

And of course for their much-desired blessin's

Until someone said 'RHYME'!  It was wa-a-ay past 'high time'!

Like turkey to go with the dressin'!

Then St. Francis, bless his heart, said why don't we start

To sing like we talk -- things then turned round on a dime!

But these were for pleasure - not a church measure

They were sung in the streets by Wassailers on 'feets'-

So for years yet to come, secular treasure...

Still 400 years 'nother the Brits thought them 'vulgar'

Dismissed them entirely to the world of the 'other'

But the Lutherans were comin'!  They took to the hummin'

Soon carols continued to beats set to strummin'

Twas nigh 200 years more before songs of 'adore'

Hit the rectories and churches abounding

In eighteen and eighteen, on a Christmas Eve snowy

'Silent Night' was first sung with guitar below it

Penned by the preacher and sung by the teacher

Soon the whole world would love it and know it

And on Christmas Eve, of eighteen and eighty

Sweet carols of love for a Child and Lady

Were sung in church walls way down in Cornwall

BY ALL -  from the 'quite tall' to 'too very small'  ...

With both 'Rhyme' and melodies so resounding! 

So join in the spirit, no one need hear it

Just hum right along....as we 'borrow' this song.....

.... So let's all begin -  with some gusto - and whim -

with just a few of ....  

"BROWN WOODEN BOXES" - from PONIES to KINGS...."

There is a pure delight that continually draws me to these small carved snuff boxes. 

They aren't made of an extremely valuable material - nor do they perform any essential function.

They just make me smile each time I look at them.

As well, they hold the fingering of all their past owners, not cleaned away as they are on silver.

There's sheer magic in that.

Left to right : A silver-mounted mahogany horse; A coquilla nut gentleman with lopsided eyes in a cap and cape;

A fruitwood crowned hunchback, possibly Richard III of England, who was

recently found, being buried under a Salisbury parking lot for 500 years. We call him 'Little Richard'.

....."THESE ARE A FEW of MY FAVORITE THINGS".....

"CREAM-COLORED CUPS" and "LARGE APPLE CADDIES"

Again it's "Bow porcelain" - but this time left in the white -
wherein form alone plays a far more important part than with painted surfaces.
White porcelains, in imitation of imported Chinese porcelains with applied decoration,
comprised an important early period for several British manufactories,
And, of course, the favorite "fruit-form tea caddies" -- what's a rectangular box compared to an apple?
Many copies were made in 19th century Germany.  Even more have been made in the 20th century.

  This softly faded apple caddy is English c1790-1810, and retains traces of the original foil lining.

"PICTURES of GREEN PARKS" with MOMMIES and DADDIES"

This small painting is extraordinary by any standards. 

Besides just delighting the eye and senses, the painting extends into masterful in

 the execution of the figure with deftness and accuracy;  the excellence of brushwork; and vibrancy of color. 

On this panel, executed in 1917, and exhibited at Grand Central Galleries in 1988,

Ms. Bernstein created with sure impasto brushstrokes an entire Scene of Central Park, with ease and energy,

brilliant light and shadow -- and 23 figures - some in the background, others standing, some seated on park benches. 

Included are a mother - baby in arms, and another mother with a child and perambulator at her side. 

No effort is felt.  All is flawless.  It sings. 

"BIRDS on their nests with BLUE colored WINGS...."

To Memphis (TN) history the blue pigeon brings a singular attraction!

Since the 1800's, thousands of pigeons have resided year-round in downtown Memphis at 'Court Square'.

 'Feeding the pigeons' has become a Memphis tradition when visiting the square, with its park and fountain.

Most Memphians recall their youthful pleasure of saving sandwich crusts to share with the rather 'expectant' birds.

On the attached page are 1917 and 1936 photographs of the "Memphis pigeons".....

"GIRLS IN WHITE DRESSES" with BLUE paper FANS"

The white dresses are pretty - but there's something very special in the manganese -

the brownish purple used on Delft in the late 17th and early 18th centuries . 

There is an inviting warmth and richness to the color itself -

then the added beauty when combined with wood and silver or pewter - almost made for one another!

The 9-1/8" pair shown above with a good 14-1/8" Liverpool "Woolsack" charger, c1750 -

also one of my favorite things.

"TEAPOTS" that traveled from "FAR-AWAY LANDS"

London painted Chinese teapots, I am told, have become "the flavor of the month".
Three nationalities were likely involved in making this class of porcelains : 
the ceramic, China, c1690-1750; the painters, likely from The Netherlands; and the locale of decoration London. 
In the 1600s, the Dutch learned to imitate the imported Chinese porcelain painting on their Delftwares -
then took their skills to England c1700.
(Above left), Kangxi, c1715, illustrated in European Decoration on Chinese Porcelain, among others;

 (Above right) Yongzheng, c1740, a fine and highly collectible Limehouse Class example

"WHEN THE 'DOG BITES'!.......WHEN THE 'BEE STINGS'!,

(An Unusually Pierced Brass Fireplace Footman).......(Chinese Export Silver-Mounted Chocolate Pot)

When I'm feeling sad

 I SIMPLY REMEMBER MY FAVORITE THINGS!

 And then I don't f-e-e-l....so bad!"

Many carols actually sprang from the tradition of "wassailing" from house to house.

Wassailers were groups of singers who traveled from house to house -

often after the blessing of the orchard trees for a better harvest. 

They sang carols in exchange for gifts, food, money or a drink from a large bowl of Christmas wassail

 - a bit like 'trick or treat'.

The word "caroling" originally meant dancing - usually for joy and praise  -

this dancing done at the Pagan Winter Solstice Festivals on the shortest day of the year

"My Favorite Things", from the 1959 Broadway musical and 1965 movie "The Sound of Music",

was written by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein. 

It was first sung by Mary Martin in the role of Maria, and later by Julie Andrews along with the "von Trapp children". 

Although the song was originally a positive way to overcome fearful situations,

 it has become an international favorite at Christmas time, having appeared on 36 Christmas specials. 

Please click on the above illustrated images, titles, or underlined text

for fully illustrated pages.

To View This Year's Other Christmas Catalogs, Please Click Below:

What is Christmas Without Carols - Santa Baby

Children, Go Where I Send Thee

God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen!

901-761-1163 (gallery) / 901-827-4668 (cell)

581 S. PERKINS ROAD / LAURELWOOD COLLECTION / MEMPHIS, TN 38117

Gallery Hours : Fri-Sat, 12-6 / Mon- Thurs, By Appointment or Chance

Complimentary Gift Wrapping

mfcreech@bellsouth.net  or  mfordcreech@gmail.com

www.mfordcreech.com

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  What Is Christmas Without Carols / "My Favorite Things" / M. Ford Creech Antiques & Fine Art