Carved Pair

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Carved Pair
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Although nowadays cross country or nordic skiing is viewed as the little sister of alpine skiing, it

should be the other way around. Alpine skiing wasn't invented until the 1930s, whereas cross country

skiing has been around for 4000 years, originating as a way for hunters to get around in

the Scandinavian mid winter.

Based on a natural walking motion, it's very easy to pick up. Novices that have "defected" from the

alpine slopes are often amazed that they can master the basic techniques on their first day,

compared with the days of painful sidestepping endured on the nursery slopes to learn to ski

downhill.

As you don't need a ski lift to start, it's much easier to get off the beaten track. Skiers often

comment on the wonderful stillness of the forest in winter, where the only noise breaking the

silence is the gentle swoosh of their skis. In Scandinavia, ptarmigan and Arctic foxes are often

spotted on the trail; in Canada, moose sightings are common. It's also much kinder on the

environment, cross country trails are normally hiking or biking tracks in the summer whereas the

mountains are "scarred" with defunct chair lifts once the snow melts on the Alpine slopes.

And unlike downhill skiing, this is a sport that can last you a lifetime without taking a lifetime to learn.

A low impact aerobic exercise, there's no jarring of joints so grandchildren and grandparents can take

to the trails together.

How you do it

Moving forwards

There are two basic techniques - classic and skating. Classic is when you "push and glide" in pre-prepared tramlines carved into the snow. By placing your weight on one leg to push, you then glide forward on the ski that has no weight on it. By alternating this step you move forward easily in the tramlines that keep the tips of your skis straight, so it's ideal for beginners. The skating technique is favoured by more athletic, lycra clad types. It's based on the same push and glide idea, but here

how to do it you ski out of the tramlines and your ski tips are pushed out in opposite directions as you ski, like the opposite of a snow plough.

Going Uphill

Yes, you do ski uphill - but it's not as difficult as it sounds! To do this you can either side step

digging your ski edges in to stop you falling backwards, or make a V with your skis digging

your edges in and walk up this way. Remember there's bound to be a nice glide downwards at

the top.

Heeelp! I can't stop!

It's great when you're swooshing down the tramlines with no pushing needed, but

sometimes you'll want to ease off on the speed. To do this, either bend down and sit on your

skis, reducing your centre of gravity naturally slows you. Or take one ski out of the tramline

and use it as a brake. It's also possible to come out of the tramlines all together and do a full

snowplough as you would in alpine skiing.

What you'll need

Skis

Cross country skis are light and long - normally as tall as the skier using them - helping you move forwards easily. But you also need some friction to stop you sliding backwards. Favoured by beginners, waxless skis have a herringbone mesh to give you some grip. Aficionados prefer skis that need

coating with wax to give you some grip. By using different wax for the temperature, a waxed ski improves your glide as it creates just enough friction without slowing you down like a waxless ski can do in some snow conditions. But they're more fiddly!

Boots and bindings

Cross-country ski boots are like a trainer that allows your foot and ankle the full movement necessary to push you at the toe. Under the toe of the boot there's a clip that slots into a groove on the ski.

Poles

Ski poles come up to your shoulders, giving you the extra "push" needed to keep you gliding along.

Clothes

Unlike downhill skiing, no costly clothes are required. First timers can get by in a pair of jogging trousers with a pair of waterproof trousers over the top, a thermal vest, a fleece and a light waterproof over jacket. You'll also need a warm hat and a pair of sunglasses.

Want to give it a try?

If this has whetted your appetite for a touch of nordic skiing, your next port of call should be a specialist in cross country skiing holidays such as Headwater Holidays. We've years of experience and can help you to choose the best location for your holiday. So wrap up warm, strap on your skis, and give it a go!

Headwater Holidays
The Old School House, Chester Road, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 1LE, United Kingdom

info@headwater.com
http://www.headwater.com
+44 1606 720033

Antique Lamps with a Royal Story

The importance of interior lighting is an undisputed fact with the table lamp making a major contribution.  

The illumination of a room, hall or living space, is only half the story, for a lamp, when viewed as more than "just lighting" can serve, along with pictures and antiques, not only as a work of art, but a functional work of art, offering visual pleasure while fulfilling a most practical role.

We have before us today, a very wide range of shapes and styles from which to choose, from the antique and traditional to space age minimalism. 

When speaking specifically of antique lamps, replacement value is an interesting point and one very often overlooked.  The following pair of lamps with their formal description is a fine example:-

 

A finely carved pair of French, 19th century,
lime washed, portrait, fruit wood busts as lamps.
The subjects are, Louis-Auguste Dauphin of France and
Marie Antoinette, Archduchess of Austria.

Louis is shown as a handsome young man of 15.
He wears a short, side curled, powdered wig,
tied at the back of the neck with a large silk bow.
At his throat is a tied linen cravat, or, stock, a stiffened linen neck cloth.
Across his right shoulder he wears the Sash of the Order of the Holy Spirit.
The Order was worn suspended from a
sky blue, silk moiré ribbon, Le Cordon Bleu.

On his left breast he wears The Order,
a gold Maltese cross with white borders,
each of the eight points ending in a gold ball
with a gold fleur-de-lys between each of its arms.
At the centre of the cross, is set a white dove descending.

Marie Antoinette is shown as a pretty, young bride of 14,
her hair dressed with roses.
Marie Antoinette was an Austrian Hapsburg Archduchess
and roses were the symbol of her Austrian heritage.
Recall her famous 1783 portrait, Marie Antoinette with the Rose,
painted by Vigee Lebrun who painted 30 portraits of the Queen,
most including her signature flower, the rose.

These elegant busts on a short socle and
standing on custom made, faux marble, circular bases.

The busts depict the couple at the time of their marriage
on the 16th of May, 1770,
Louis aged 15 and Marie Antoinette 14.
On the day of her marriage to Louis-Auguste,
Marie Antoinette became Dauphine de France.

At the death of Louis XV, in May 1774, his son, Louis-Auguste,

ascended the French throne as Louis XVI. He was 19.
Marie Antoinette assumed the title of Queen of France and Navarre.

Circa 1880           Overall height (including shades) 30" / 76cm

 

 

Some antique lamps have a story to tell and the couples portrayed here, of course, are the ill-fated Louis XVI of France and his Queen, Marie Antoinette.  

Many and varied are the "causes" of the French revolution, but one thing is no longer in dispute and that is that the monarch was seen to stand for every thing that was wrong with France toward the close of the 18th century.  At the time, the Royal Family was seen as the great symbol for the problems facing French society.

Today, modern French history has revaluated the role of the Bourbon monarchy and the attitude is one of recognizing that the monarch was the scapegoat for the pent up frustration and anger of France. 

During the Reign of Terror, at the height of the French Revolution, Louis XVI was deposed and the royal family imprisoned.  Marie Antoinette was tried, convicted of treason and executed by guillotine on the 16th October, 1793, nine months after the King.

Not only do we need to be aware of the story portrayed by these lamps, but we also need to consider the possibility of repeating this artistic achievement today.  

These busts were carved over one hundred years ago and would have cost what would now be seen as a trifling amount of money. If we were magically able to ask the artist to repeat this work, I believe we would be quite shocked at the cost!  This of course, is assuming that a woodcarver with a level of skill required could be found - another saga all of its own.  This is usually when the "how could I replace these?" penny drops!

 In summary, quality antiques such as these will never be as reasonably priced as they are today!  It has been said that when you consider purchasing a mass produced, newly made item, comparing its quality, price & likely depreciation value, “antiques are cheap”.

   

The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co specialise in antique lamps with an exclusive on-line range of over 100 unique lamps. Lamps are shipped ready wired for the US, the UK and Australia.  Ask to be included on their mailing list for updates.

For further information you are invited to visit their web site at -:

http://www.antiquelampshop.com

© The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co 2010

About the Author

Maurice Robertson, principal of The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co, has had a lifetime’s association with antique porcelain and pottery, with his commercial experience spanning a period of over 45 years,including valuer to the Australian Government’s Incentive to the Arts Scheme. His long experience with antique ceramics and glass also includes dealing with leading museums and numerous international private collections. He has extended his ceramics expertise into the quality table lamps seen on the company’s site and is well known to local and international interior designers who have included many of his table lamps in their projects. He has also supplied items of national interest to the official Sydney residence of the Australian Prime Minister.

French wall plaques by JB Germain 1867.?

These beautiful pair of plaques of women in flowing robes are carved in marble(?) inscribed JB GERMAIN LOUDRY PRE EDITEUR 1876. Any ideas please?!?

Hi! They sound lovely! Please folllow the link to lot no. 247: http://www.wilkinsons-auctioneers.co.uk/htdocs/281104/cat3.htm
Jean-Baptiste Germain (1841-1910). An Oval Relief cast Silvered Plaque of Bacchante festooned in fruiting vines dancing with fauns, signed J. Bt. Germain 1868, Loudry Pr. Editeur, 101/2 ins x 83/4 ins (27 cms x 22 cms).
Hammer Price: £500.00

Jean-Baptiste Germain was a French sculptor and L'Oudry was a French foundry. I answered a question concerning the Oudry foundry for someone not too long ago with links to more information:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Atj51xm2RXg6h04ILAqaL7kjzKIX?qid=20070713092714AAw8FtB

It sounds, without seeing them, that your plaques are of the same ilk. I hope this helps a bit. Good luck!

Ohio, West Virginia meet today in OVAC all-star game
WHEELING — The dinners, pageants and the entire extravaganza, which surrounds the Rudy Mumley Ohio Valley Athletic Conference All-Star football game are great events, which leave lasting memories for all of those involved.

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