#awesome antiques

Meet the Characters: The Odd, the Unique, and the Mysterious

At Past & Present Home Gallery, we are not strangers to the odd item, the unique treasure, or the completely mysterious thing-a-ma-bob that comes into our store. But it’s not too often that the above are hosted by us all at once. We would like to introduce you to three such pieces:

Antique Chopsticks and Knife Set

This recent discovery sent us hunting through jungles and learning all about the history of different geographical areas such as the Indo-China region (south-east Asia). At first, this beautifully adorned chopstick and knife set looks like it came from Japan and was most likely made during the World War II era. But good research never stops at the first assumption. Upon further study, we learned that these sets are found all throughout Asia and were used by travelers, soldiers, and even given as gifts to visitors. The exact story behind the set hosted by our store is currently not know. However, we did find an almost exact match to a set made in Indonesia.

Antique Ice Cream Slicer

IMG_8418 WEB.jpg

We are all familiar with the shape and function of the ice cream scoop. The half-sphere basin with the lever to push the ice cream out into our bowl or cone is almost as American as apple pie. But did you know that in the early 1900’s, ice cream came in slices and not just scoops? Around 1899, the ice cream sandwich was introduced. By 1910, a specialized ice cream scoop was invented that created square slices of ice cream to be put on the sandwiches. In the 1920’s the ice cream slice was just as popular as the scoop and was plated without its sandwich wafers and eaten with a spoon. The ice cream slicer currently hosted at Past & Present was manufactured in the 1920’s by the Automatic Cone Company.

Vintage Ceramic Coffee Filter

Source: http://www.nia.org/notins/nons2.htm. Retreived June 9, 2017

Source: http://www.nia.org/notins/nons2.htm. Retreived June 9, 2017

This mysterious little contraption is not an electric insulator, nor the world’s heaviest baby rattle, but a ceramic coffee filter. Ceramic coffee filters were used as part of the vacuum brewing method originally invented in France in the early 1700’s. As the popularity of coffee grew, the process of filtering the coffee grounds also grew. The vacuum brewing process made a come-back in America in the early nineteenth century which is when our piece was patented. In 1945, Kent Productions Company, patented their version of the vacuum brewing machine along with a ceramic filter.

Find these treasures and so much more at Past & Present Home Gallery, the antique store with character!

 

Early Birds Convene on Broadway

Past and Present Home Gallery had a fantastic turn-out at the Chamber “Wake-Up” Alexandria event this morning!


We would like to say a big “Thank You” to all of the Alexandria Chamber members who came out for the event this morning. Our store was full of the men and women who help make our community great. We loved sharing our store with you and introducing you to all of our unique items from antiques to collectibles, one-of-a-kind art pieces, and the vintage treasures in our Man Cave and brand new Diva Den. We look forward to having you back as you search for those perfect furniture pieces or retro décor items for your home and business.


Thank you again,
Past and Present Home Gallery, the Antique Store with Character!
 

GIANT ANTIQUE ROOSTER sited on Broadway

GIANT ANTIQUE ROOSTER sited on Broadway!

Okay, maybe it's not an antique, but it's definitely collectible.  And it's here to announce that Past & Present Home Gallery is hosting "WAKE UP" with the Alexandria Chamber members Friday morning May 6, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

The official antique Wake Up Rooster.JPG

We look forward to welcoming everyone -- whether a Chamber member or not -- to stop in and enjoy the nostalgia of by-gone eras to the present.

Explore our store and discover things from the past as it brings sweet memories to mind and a smile to your face.  Find antique pieces of the past to bring into your home to make conversation pieces. Repurpose barn doors, barn wood, galvanized tin, windows, doors, furniture, lights and decor -- there's plenty here to inspire your creativity.

We also feature collectible items from the present (and not-so-distant past).  You'll find unique one-of-a-kind items such as handmade Garden Art, Cast Aluminum figures, KT Design bags, furniture and decor items.

Just in time for Mother's Day we have the " DIVA DEN" making it's debut. Enter the stress-free zone and have some fun. Just as our Man Cave is for the Boys, this special collection of unique items is for the Girls, and the room is filled with Giggles, Smiles, and Laughs. Bring Mom and the girls to have some fun reminiscing, relaxing and relating to so many things. Shop vintage hats, flirty shoes, handbags, and retro furniture along with all sorts of surprises--you never know what you might find in the "DIVA DEN".

Visit Past & Present Home Gallery, and browse 3 levels with 13,000+ sq. ft. of retail displays. Our inventory changes daily, and the displays are guaranteed to be different the next time you shop here.  So stop in often!

Remember: most of our items are one of a kind, so if you find that special item get it while you can at Past & Present Home Gallery, the Antique Store with Character!