Household antiques & heirlooms

ABOUT THE BOOK "Did you know that our generic term for the oil lamp with a glass chimney, kinke, comes from its original supplier to the Islands, the Quinquet Factory of France? That uzon was named after lusong, the rice mortar (now a collectible) that early Spanish soldiers found under a nipa hut? That Spanish-time money, all being in coin was so heavy that bills had to be collected in iron chests loaded on wheelbarrows? (Some of the chests the still exist.) Or that our so-called Vienna chairs were the first knockdown furniture? You might be amused to note thtate the macho of the 18090s was daintily shod in hightly embroidered cloth slippers. These are only some of the pithy tidbits in the book by Felice Sta. Maria which inventories the contents of a late 19th century and early 20th century house. The possessions of the rich were dazzling indeed! The writer places the furniture, lamps, glassware, china and silver, art and decorations, toys and clothes and kitchenware in the context of our ancestor's gracious and festive lifestyle. How disconcerting to find out that we imported everything from bathtubs to thimbles--and that the imports were hardly Europe's or America's best! Not a whit of it, however subtracts from the value and charm that time, grime and nostalgia have bestowed on Philippine antiques. HOUSEHOLD ANTIQUES AND HEIRLOOMS also traces the history of the antique trade--from Escolta, the prime pmercantile district of the 30's where most of the goods iriginated, to Ermita, antique-and-flea market area where most of the goods end up. Treated only in passing are collectibles like religious carvings, excavated articrafts and ethnic art which deserve separate books of their own. This is a book for beginnerrs, hopefully a stone experts and critics can build on."