Alexander Westerhoff Antiques

Alexander Westerhoff to Celebrate Meissen’s 300 Year Anniversary in Germany

Posted on 18. Aug, 2010 by Alexander Westerhoff in Blog

Alexander Westerhoff is off to Dresden, Meissen and Berlin, Germany  to celebrate the 300 Year Anniversary of Meissen Porcelain. Meissen which was the first European Hard Paste Porcelain is still considered by many to be the finest procelain manufacture in the world.  Originally begun under the reign of King August the Strong, Meissen porcelain was essentially an accident produced in the process of an imprisoned alchemist’s dream to fire and create gold.  This “accident” awarded Johann Friedrich Bottger the very first hard paste porcelain production in Europe on January 15, 1708 and the first “white-based” porcelain going into full production at the Albrechtsburg Castle in Meissen (near Dresden) in 1710.

Alexander Westerhoff has been collecting Meissen Porcelain since he was a child, focusing on rare and period pieces.  His first major acquisition was that of a pair of 18th Century White Meissen Swan pitchers from the original Schwanenservice “Swan Service” made for Count Bruhl in the 1740’s.  But this excursion to German will not only benefit Westerhoff as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see many of the Meissen treasures being exhibited in museum as well as private collections but Alexander will be researching his pride and joy, the Early 19th Century Neoclassical Centerpiece pictured above.  This incredible piece in hardpaste porcelain, bisquit, gilded and painted was created in 1811, most likely for a Royal Collection.  As of yet, the drawings and provenance have not been researched at the Meissen factory.  Alexander hopes to be able to accomplish this necessary academic cataloging this week.  What adds to this piece’s importance is that the bisquit figures are unglazed though they have a very natural shine which makes them appear glazed.  Meissen discovered a rare clay soil right around the time of the manufacture of this piece which exudes a natural glazing in the firing process.  An extreme rarity.

Good luck Alex on your trip to the land of your birth.  And bring us back some knowledge!

Tags: alexander Westerhoff, Alexander Westerhoff Antiques, Alexander Westerhoff Antiques Essex, Count Bruhl, Dresden, Dresden Porcelain, Essex Antique Dealer, Essex Massachusetts, Meissen Porcelain, Meissen Porcelain Centerpiece, Neoclassical centerpiece, Porcelain centerpiece, schwanenservice, swan service

Hollywood Features Alexander Westerhoff Antiques

Posted on 16. Dec, 2009 by Alexander Westerhoff in Blog

When Hollywood films in Massachusetts (and they have been doing ALOT of it), the first place the set designers come to for antiques and accessaries is Alexander Westerhoff Antiques in Essex Massachusetts.  The latest movies that Westerhoff pieces have had starring roles in include,  Golden Globe nominated “The Proposal” with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds,  “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” with Matthew McConaughey,  and “The Company Men” with Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones and Kevin Costner.

But Alexander Westerhoff pieces were not just used as background props,  but were part of the actual story line and were selected as such.  Working with Alex, the set designers wrote the pieces history and importance into the scripts.  One of our customers who now is the proud owner of  a Regency Egyptian Revival Secretary (or Breakfront as it was described in “The Proposal”) quips that his piece actually had “a speaking role” as it played the focal point of a scene in which Sandra Bullock orders it to be removed from her rival’s office and brought to hers after she managed to get him fired.

In “The Company Men” when directors needed an “important table” for an actor playing a decorator to carry into Tommy Lee Jones’ house, they came to Alexander Westerhoff and chose a Period English Satinwood Games Table with original neoclassical painting, circa 1795.  The laugh here in the gallery was that this table’s requirement was that is could reasonably be priced (according to the script) at $ 14,000.  Of course it “could be” priced at $ 14,000 and probably would be in many shops but at Westerhoff’s this beautiful piece, now with Hollywood stardust is available for $ 8900.

 

And finally, not that the directors of “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” needed to actually hire anyone to stare at Matthew McConaughey in his private quarters, but they selected this little group of voyeurs from Alexander Westerhoff to do just that.  We had great fun seeing our kennel of Antique Victorian Boston Terrier Doorstops (which were purchased from an 85 year old Beacon Hill Brahmin’s life long collection) peering at Matthew from his bedside tables and even from  a very inappropriate place in the star’s bathroom which was filmed at the Crane Estate in Ipswich.  But why these dogs?  Rent the movie and you will see that they were the metaphor used for McConaughey and his lovelife.

You may be asking youself…“So, do these Hollywood celebrities (and others) visit Alexander Westerhoff Antiques and do they buy anything?”  I have been known to “kiss and tell” but you’ll have to wait for my next post to get all the juicy details…

until then…Alexander Westerhoff

The Holiday Season Kick-Off in Essex, MA

Posted on 23. Nov, 2009 by atoleos in Blog

On Saturday, December 5th, 11 AM to 8 PM, everyone is invited to join in the Annual Essex Celebration. Enjoy discounts, savings, silent auction and more! There will be caroling troupes, a town-wide raffle for fun and interesting items and services (tickets available at $ 1 each at antique shops and restaurants).

Alexander Westerhoff Antiques at the Old Methodist Church, 18 Eastern Avenue welcomes you all with Seasonal Music, Wine, Nibblies and as a Special Treat our gallery will turn to candlelit from 5PM to 8PM to get you in the Holiday Spirit.

While you are here be sure to bid on our contribution to the Essex Town-Wide Raffle… A Victorian Cast Iron Boston Terrier Door Stop that was used in Matthew McConnaghey’s Bedroom in the locally filmed movie, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.”

This piece can be seen in the movie trailer for the movie — look on the table to the left of the bed.