The artist who created these beautiful bottles in the late 1800's was Andrew Clemens (1857-1894) of McGregor, Iowa, who was a deaf-mute.
The Victorian-era craft is called MARMOTINTO, and Clemens was the undisputed master. The sand is tightly packed, but not glued. It could take the artist 3 weeks, or 3 months, or sometimes up to a year to complete one bottle.
These antique glass bottles are filled with tiny grains of colored sand, all placed by hand, with what was basically a long-handled hook (see pic of tools at left). Absolutely amazing, right?!
The really rare matched pair of sweetheart sand bottles Clemens made for Henry Reinken and his future wife Helen Wimmler, have an estimated value $25,000-35,000, according to Cowan's Auctions.
Find out more about Andrew Clemens, and see many more pix of his beautiful bottles in these informative sites:
A. Clemens Bio -- Read his story, and about how he made his art.
Photo Gallery of Clemens Sand Bottles -- Super page with pix of Clemens, and about 20 of his amazing sand art bottles.
Wes Cowan's Article -- Referenced above. Well worth reading.
And be sure to read this informative article about THE SAND MAN & HIS SPECTACULAR BOTTLES from Antique Trader's article archive.
See some of Clemens' Sand Bottles on exhibit at the State Historical Society of Iowa Museum.
There is one of Clemen's sand art bottles up for auction next month at Skinners - only estimated at $8000 - $10,000 -- yikes!
Lot 206 -- Signed Sand Picture in a Glass Bottle Showing a Paddlewheeler, Andrew Clemens, McGregor, Iowa, c. 1888
There was one of these beautiful pieces on the Roadshow back in 2002 -- here's the link to the PBS archive of that rare Clemens Sand Art Bottle -- it has a mortar and pestle/pharmacy theme - fabulous!
Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com
My name is Marianne, and I am a collecting addict! And I don't want to be cured. I love everything about antiquing, collecting, and selling. I'm a born-and-raised California Girl, which changed when, after visiting hubby's family back here in Ohio, we got hooked on antiques.
4 comments:
UNBELIEVABLE! I have seen sand bottle art before, but absolutely nothing like this.
How'd you like to find one of these at a garage sale?
I wish! But it's not likely. However, there is one of Clemen's sand art bottles up for auction next month at Skinners - only estimated at $8000 - $10,000 -- yikes!
Lot 206 -- Signed Sand Picture in a Glass Bottle Showing a Paddlewheeler, Andrew Clemens, McGregor, Iowa, c. 1888
See a pic here
Marianne,
I read your post earlier today and tonight there was a spot about one of these on Antiques Road Show. It was estimated to be worth between 6 and 8,000. The man who owned it was from Hot Springs, Arkansas. Very interesting.
Hi Kitty -- yes, I remember that Roadshow -- from 2002 -- here's the link to the PBS archive of that rare Clemens Sand Art Bottle -- it has a mortar and pestle/pharmacy theme - fabulous! Thanks for sharing - and reading my blog! --Marianne
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