What Do I Mean By RARE?
I never use the word “RARE” lightly. The item really has to be hard, or even impossible to find elsewhere.
Before I give the adjective RARE to an item, I first look throughout the Internet, staring with a Google search, then I look on eBay for both current and closed listings, other auction sites, and on Ruby Lane. If I don’t find another item referencing the one I am researching, I frequently will wait several weeks, months, and in some cases years before I place it up for sale. I do a huge amount of research, because that is in my very basic Nature.
I may find a similar, but not exactly the same, item, or none at all. That’s when it gets the coveted “RARE” identification.
Here’s a terrific example. I acquired six sets of absolutely unique cups and saucers and listed each set as: EXCEPTIONALLY RARE ANTIQUE SANG DE BOEUF GOLD GROS POINTE DE VENICE QUATREFOIL CUP SAUCER SET.
(White spots are reflections from the strong lights I use to take my photographs.)
They came from the estate of a very famous person who had been called a Robber Baron, also a Captain of Industry, in the late 1800’s. They were made in Venice, Italy, expressly for his use, had been handed down over the years through the family, and finally came up for auction at a limited location.
The moment I saw them I knew how unusual they were. The color is a deep Oxblood red, also known by the French term “Sang De Boeuf”. It requires great skill and artistry to get this color to come through, and real gold is used to achieve the depth of red.
Then there are the gold lace pieces on both the cups and saucers. It is what is known as “Pointe De Venice”, made by the nuns, with great care and difficulty. Although you won’t see them here, one of the hallmarks of this lace is the tiny drops of blood from the needles used to make the pieces by hand. This lace was carefully cut into pieces, covered in real gold, positioned on the sets, encased in a clear glaze, and then fired. WOW! Elegance beyond description.
Red and gold make a statement any time of the year, but particularly at holiday times and when entertaining. You won’t see these anywhere else, and that’s why I labeled them as being Exceptionally Rare!
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