Using the language of the law courts for the rituals of courtly love, a High Court of Love was established in Paris on Valentine's Day in 1400. The court dealt with love contracts, betrayals, and violence against women. Judges were selected by women on the basis of a poetry reading. The origins of St. Valentine's Day as a celebration of love is, at best, confusing.  But to eternal lovers, that does not matter.  According to Wikipedia, the first known written Valentine was a fifteenth-century rondeau written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife.   Je suis Desja d'amour tanne   Ma tres doulce Valentinee...   (I love tanned Desja   My very sweet Valentine...) Valentine's Day is mentioned ruefully by Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet (1600-1601):   Tomorrow is Valentine's day,   All in the morning betime,   And I a maid at your window,   To be your Valentine.   Then up he rose, and donn'...

One thing we have found about antiquing when traveling, is that we find different treasures than we find near home.  On our recent trip to the East Coast we spent some time at an antique show and several antique shops, looking as much for vintage crafting doodads as for antiques -- found some pretty neat stuff of the former and not much of the latter. Here's an array of flowers, ribbons and such that we found at our various stops.  The cute little buttons with faces are my favorites. These 19th century mortgage documents have great handwriting, colorful stamps and interesting paper. And here's a cache of watch parts that we found.  Think of the endless possibilities of working with these lenses, watch cases and frames, dials and springs and gears! With Valentines Day approaching -- February 14th -- we gathered up some nice love tokens.  Here's a silk and celluloid greeting. These silver miniature picture frames are presented on one of a few Italian tray...

We just got back from Atlanta where we spent several days at the Gift Show.  As usual, the array of products is overwhelming and it takes time to separate the great stuff from the ordinary.  We focused on bringing back to Vintages unique products, looking for value and quality in handmade and Made in America items where possible. While we specialize in vintage and estate jewelry, we do offer artisan crafted jewelry from local artists, such as Norma Dice and Christine Charter Moorhead , as well as handmade solder pendants by Susan.  Soon we will be carrying a unique and beautiful line of customizable beaded jewelry from Lela Belle .  This jewelry is exclusive to Vintages in the Bay Area.  We will blog more about these fabulous necklaces and bracelets in the near future when the product arrives in our shop. We also restocked our Limoges porcelain box selection.  Below is a selection of what's new. These handmade inspirational and whimsical signs, block...