Dragons & Pagodas: A Celebration of Chinoiserie by Aldous Bertram Interior Design with Chinese Style 

Welcome! I’m so glad you found it too!

What a great story. Do you remember your thoughts (as a ten year old) about the jar? Why you liked it or how you paid for it. I always find the thought process behind a purchase to be interesting.

@@thetartantopiary Actually I remember it well. As a ten year old I used to organise 'jumble sales' for charity and would go from door to door with a trolley asking for 'old stuff' and a lot of it in the 60's was good as we were in the 'out with the old in with the plastic era'. I loved antiques and spent a lot of time in my grandmothers house as it hadn't changed in over 60 years then. We lived as a family in a council house with lino floors and formica table, we were poor and had nothing nice. At that one particular sale I realised that there was a solid silver tea set and tray and allerted the head. It had been given along with the ginger jar and a few other things by one of our old retired teachers. The silver went up for auction and at the end of the sale I got the jar for pennies along with two victorian prints that I also still have. I was considerd weird for liking old rubbish ! I would go and explore abandoned houses and manor houses that sadly no longer exist. This was the highlands of Scotland. I used to hitchhike into the Inverness, the big town' and one day I spent my money on a pair of carved chinese book ends much to the horror of my cousin who saw it a waste of money. My first auction purchase was a German porcelaine Fennec, very old, for a few cents and I also still have him. When in college I regulalry spent my cash on antiques. One day I bought a pair of early blue and white Wedgwood soup tureens ( still have ) and a large biscuit porcelain jug in the shape of a bunch of corn 1884 ! Today my house is groaning under the weight of pictures and antiques. I even have a large room on the top floor shelved for antiques ! I buy for little money and am an excellent finder of good 'stuff' ! I often give things away, I have some friends who own chateaux so they get quite a bit !

Wow- this is fascinating stuff! Thank you for sharing. I may have been considered unusual as a child also. I asked for a Herend figurine for my 12th birthday and remember an adult telling me “that isn’t a toy”… well, yes, I knew that!

@@thetartantopiary Yes I know Herend, I've seen quite a bit of it but never bought any. More for you ! I have just spent three days framing some pages from a book on Victorian interior watercolours. The quality of the images are great. I've collected nice gold frames from charity shops over the years. I am preparing another guest room with a 'John Fowler' theme ! Will not be everyone's taste but don't care, having fun. The wallpaper is old Zoffany stock bought for very little money. The drapes are gorgeous dirty turquoise linen printed with bouquets of flowers found on a charity website with no detailed photos, took a chance, two long pairs new, never hung; 40 euros ! Also found some old stock of fancy edge trim in all the colours of the drapes, again ebay at night ! As the floor is damaged parquet I am going to put down an enormous rug, Pakistan wool and silk in muted colours, gorgeous. I found it at the local charity shop for 20 euros, no one could carry it but at that price I could ! I invested in a semi pro carpet shampoo machine. My nicest rugs came from the street at night, three were newly cleaned and well wrapped, lucky find. Sadly one enormous silk one was too heavy to take. Thank you for you replies and your great videos ! You like all the same books as I. I tend to buy one a month, I justify them by saying to myself that I don't smoke or drink ! xo

@@TheFiown ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!!! Fabulous memories in the making, and those you have hung your heart on!!!

Thank you for this kind comment.

The story is a bit sad, but the lovers get to fly away and be together forever! My grandmother could tell it with a gleam in her eyes and it always fascinated me.

Thank you for your kind comments!

It sounds beautiful! Your guests will feel special.

What a great story! We had to postpone a trip to China, but we hope to go in the next year.

What a kind thing to say! I appreciate your “likes” as well as your comments!

This book is one of my faves!

That would have been a fantasy for me. Do you remember if the prices were good?

@@thetartantopiary It was years ago, but yes the prices were incredible.

This is great!

Thank you! I love that you watch them...seriously.

Thank you, I’m so glad you found the channel. I appreciate your comment!

Thank you for watching, three times! 😀

Thank you!

@@thetartantopiary Hi Mary just thought I would let you know that I indulged myself and purchased the book Dragons & Pagodas . It is even more magnificent in my hands ❤️. I will be spending many joy filled hours dreaming with my new friend/book. Thank you for sharing these books with us xx.

This book really is gorgeous and thank you!

You are welcome- thanks for the comment. You'll love this book.

Thank you for letting me know! I really appreciate it. I love porcelain too. When I heard the love story behind the scenic Willow Blue, I was sad but my grandmother focused on the two doves at the top and that made me happy!

Exactly 🤓

Thank you for the kind comment!

@@thetartantopiary I’ve purchased the book. I simply love Indochine style. Thanks for introducing us to this and looking forward to many more recommendations.

I almost didn’t share the story- but my grandmother always ended it with a smile and highlighted that the lovers would always be together…forever. And yes, the father must have been heartless!

@@thetartantopiary I’m glad that you shared the story. Not every story has a happy ending,actually many don’t end all that well.Thank you for sharing it.

Thank you, my pieces really aren't that valuable, but I love to look at them and slowly add.

Thank you, I appreciate that.

It is very much like Romeo and Juliet. “But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!” I just like an opportunity to use the word “yonder”!

Finding happiness is the key. I love your solution to the pricey alternative!

Let me know when and I'm the girl. Champagne for all!

@@thetartantopiary I was hoping you are connected enough to arrange it . 😉🤭📚🤣🤗 The two of you hosting would be a treat .

I think you’re correct. The information presented in the review was from the book. I think the color application may be the question. As in who produced the first blue and white china vs. pottery or porcelain vs. china, etc… this is just my supposition.

They may have been purchased from Amazon. Go to your Amazon account and check your purchase history. I do not sell merchandise or books, but I have suggested Amazon books in the past.

Great- Amazon has used copies. I’ve ordered a few that were listed as “good” and they were totally acceptable for what I needed.