Birthday treasures

Hello my friends,

I celebrated my birthday this month. And when I look back at the year that has passed, it has been a year like no other in so many ways. I hope and believe that a lot has changed for the better when I celebrate my next birthday. 

And because of that there has been no party with friends and relatives. Just some cards, mails and phonecalls. I cherish all of them but it is not really the same as getting together. However, it is for a good reason. The sooner we have ended the pandemic together, the sooner life can return to normal. That will be the biggest and best gift for me and all of us! 

For a few years now my wishlist is narrowed down to certain miniatures or a contribution towards buying them. Throwing the 'loot' for Sinterklaas, Christmas and my birthday together has resulted in quite a big haul! It does not compare to spending time together with loved ones, but I am very happy with the gifts I received or could buy with the sum received. 

First I received an octogonal burr wallnut teacaddy made by Malcom Hall. I love his work but up to now I had none of his miniatures. This single compartment teacaddy is one of my favorite models that he makes. 

The amount of detail is stunning. When you open the outer lid you can see an inner lid made of of mahogany. And when you lift that, the container for tea is 'tinned' like the originals were and sometimes stil are. 

I also got a white metal bust Louis XIV by Andrea miniatures. This company makes models for military miniatures. They do not cater to the 1:12 market. 

They do however sell a miniature version of the famous Bernini bust of Louis XIV, the Sun King. And with almost 7cm height it would stand around 84 cm in 1:1. That is large but still realistic for a bust. 

I look forward to painting this one to resemble terracotta like I did with Marie Antoinette a little while ago. 

Boule arch top mantle clock by Keith Bougourd of Small Time miniatures. My first miniature of his hand as well. I love his clocks and I want to save up for some more in the coming years. A house simply needs more than one clock! 

This clock replicates the Boule work with inlay of brass and (faux) red tortoise shell. The style of this model is Louis XVI. This mantle clock will get a place on the mantleshelf in the diningroom. 

Next are the pair of two Gustavian/Louis XV console tables by David Iriarte.

I am so very happy with these. I cannot begin to tell you how I am in awe of his talent. These are metal casts of the master piece he has made and he has painted them in these lovely light colours. I love the marbling of the table tops as well. So finely done, that I will try to replicate this on another miniature. 

He also makes unique pieces. Those are spectacular, but far out of my reach. Oh well, I am over the moon with these two console tables. And to my surprise there was more in the little White box...

As a present, David included these two candelabra as a gift. I completely missed them when I first unpacked the tables, so I only found them a week later when I took out the rest of the packing paper to rewrap the tables. These baroque candlesticks are lovely and I will have no trouble finding a suitable place for them in Huis ter Swinnendael. I have thanked David for this lovely but unexpected gift. 

And if that was not enough, a silver fruit basket by Marie-Louise from Small Scale Miniatures. The picture above is of her website. We agreed that she would keep the item until she has made a little commision that she accepted from me. But I will keep that item secret until she has finished it and has sent it to me. And until then I will have to wait on this basket too. ;-) 

And as if with all those wonderful miniatures I have not been spoiled enough already, I also received this set for gilding miniatures with leaf metal from my loved one. I am very happy with this present. I am wanting to try my hand at gilding for a few years now. But I held back for fear of it being perhaps too difficult to do. So receiving this starterset is a great reason to finally start experimenting. No more excuses! 

Huibrecht