Reyne Haines & Destination Antiques
Topic: Glass made in Argentina
The one and only,Reyne Haines.........
Reyne Haines & Destination Antiques
Reyne Haines was one of our first world wide friends. Our shared devotion for the magnificent glass items of yore was the stepping stone for a wonderful and inspiring friendship. Her story is that of passion, dedication and intelligence, her brightness and deep knowledge led her to discover a wonderful world that was not yet as thoroughly explored as it should.
Her story with glass begins back in 1990 when she was living in New York, she –herself says it was then when- discovered the endless world of shops, shows and galleries. Her personal passion triggered her interest, and powered by a bright mind and an amazing whit, our friend not only discovered great items, but began to research on unknown or poorly known matters till then. While her specialty is Tiffany Studios glass, she has extensive knowledge in Steuben, Durand, Quezal, Galle, Daum, Schneider and Loetz glass.
It is rare to meet people who share such deep convictions, but when you do, is a true and great finding. The item and its history make not only a marvelous antique but also recover a wonderful item from the darkness of times and the unsatisfactory oblivion history sometimes shades upon our past.
Reyne Haines has become a referential name within the world of antiques and more specifically within the world of antique glass and glass history. She has given numerous lectures for collectors clubs, auction houses and antique shows, and her hard work in the research on such wonderful field has translated into a great number of books, articles and papers, published online, on hard cover and specialized journals. In 1995, she gave birth to a superb online forum an art-glass discussion group, which offers daily discussions pertaining to glass from the Victorian era through today's contemporary studio makers.
Glass made in Argentina.
Carnival Glass Argentina
Only three years latter, in 1998, Rayne Haines started Just Glass, an online auction, information portal and monthly magazine for glass enthusiasts. It has been rated among the Top 10 auction sites on the Internet by USA Today.
Today Rayne is the reference par excellence within the world of antiques, such is this that she has been frequent appraisal for PBS twice Emmy nominated program “Antiques Road show”.
Rayne, no doubt about it, has become a reference name within the world of antiques all around the globe, and as such, her words and points of view are treasured by collectors of all distant places.
This is her insight on Buenos Aires, Argentina, its world of antiques and collectibles…
Destination Antiques
For years we have spent our International antiquing adventures in Europe. The outdoor flea markets in Paris, London, Berlin etc have produced additions to collections and inventory for galleries unlike much of what we see available in the United States.
Prices for antiquing tours range from $1500-5000, depending on how long you stayed and where you went. The fees are rather pricey but knowing the merchandise will be readily available drives us to go year after year.
Recently, a new place to antique has surfaced, Argentina. It is no surprise Argentina is a source for fine goods. At the turn of the century Argentina was one of "the" destinations for the rich. Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina was home to some of the finest retailers. Tiffany & Company along with the German firm WMF - both had storefronts in Buenos Aires.
During the 1880s - 1930s, immigration to Argentina was at its highest point. With them came the wealth and influence of Europe.
Today, Buenos Aires still offers a view of the past in its turn of the century French marbled buildings and other turn of the century architecture. Several towns in Argentina offer original cobblestone roads filled with antique stores and cafe’d plazas.
The US Depression affected some of Argentinas tourism, then the war in Europe took its toll. After the war, Argentina fell into years of political abuse, and finally dictatorship. With the fall of the iron curtain, and eventually Argentinas dictatorship, the country was able to stabilize and begin embracing democracy. Slowly the economy picked up again. At one point, Argentina was rated one of the most expensive placed in the world to live. Now it is rated one of the cheapest places to live. The poverty rate exceeds 50% and unemployment sits at 25%.
Currently the Argentine peso has plummeted. Seventy percent in value compared to the US dollar. The city of 13 million, full of wonderful antiques is offering things for sale for a fraction of the cost you’d expect to pay in other countries, including the US.
Even the cost of a meal is reasonable. Dinner for two at any four star restaurant is American with wine can cost in the range of $80-100.00. In Argentina, the same meal will cost around $20.00.
There are several tourist group that have setup shop anxious to meet you and take you to see their beautiful city. These firms will greet you at the airport, take you to your hotel (some will arrange your hotel or bed and breakfast for you in advance), and from there will take you on private tours of the city, and its historical and cultural hot spots.
The directors for these services are fluent in English, and will also take you to the outdoor antique markets, and antique shops (which note there are endless places to shop in Buenos Aires) and stay with you until you are ready to call it a day.
If you are concerned with having enough to see and buy while you are there, fret none. Argentina has over 600 antique shops, malls and dealers. There are also a vast array of auctions and flea markets to attend while you are there. The guides can help translate for you and negotiate prices with the dealers offering the merchandise. Knowing the native language is not necessary!
A few things to note…a passport is required to enter the country. Also, most of the stores do not take credit cards. You can use them at restaurants and the hotel, but you will need cash for your antiquing adventures.
The city of Argentina is quite active morning, noon and night, much like New York City. Its beauty however, should not be missed.
What will you find in Argentina?
While Argentina is best known for its architecture, and love of Art Nouveau, the visiting collector can find things from the 1850s to modernism.
The capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, was founded by Pedro de Mendoza in 1536. It was originally named Santa Maria del Buen Ayre, in honor of the virgin of the seafarers. It was destroyed in 1541 and reestablished in 1580 by Juan de Garay who named it Puerto de Nuestra de los Buenos Ayres.
Buenos Aires is characterized by its historical buildings. The Colon Theater was inaugurated in 1908. This theater has seen many famous plays during its time. There is also the Municipal Palace that is near the Plaza de Mayo.
On Saturdays, antique enthusiasts should visit the Plaza Dorrego fair in San Telmo (a neighborhood in Buenos Aires). Over 8,000 people display antiques and collectibles for sale.
Buenos Aires is also home to more than 100 museums. Some of the more recognized museums are the National Historic Museum. This museum offers pre-Columbian, colonial and antique military works on display.
A favorite of many tourists, the National Museum of Decorative Art. It opened in 1918 in a French-styled villa. Among its treasures are European painting, sculpture, tapestries, furniture, 19th/20th century goldsmith's art; decorative Chinese art from the 17th/18th century; and miniatures from the Russian empire.
the Museum of Fine Art, the National Showroom of Culture, and the Borges Cultural Center for you to visit.
The younger generation can even find something of interest. The Museum of Modern Art, housed in a reconstructed tobacco storage building in the traditional San Telmo quarter. Contemporary Argentine art and works by outstanding international artists of the 20th century.
There is also the Buenos Aires toy museum. Perhaps you will recognize something from your childhood there!
Argentina is not limited to all things antiques. Should you have energy left after your many shopping adventures, put on your walking shoes and visit the Botanical Gardens. There are over 5,000 varieties of plants from all over the world. They also offer one of the largest Japanese Gardens in the world. The park covers more then 198 acres of land.
Starting Points
You’ve decided you’re interested and want to know more. Here are a few links to places to visit, dealers, and antiquing tour guides for your viewing pleasure:
The Buenos Aires Art Dealer: A guide to Art, Antiques and Collectibles found in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
www.artdealer.com.ar
Phone: 0054-11-47924787
Buenos Aires Toy Museum: Museum for vintage toy enthusiasts
www.ba-toymuseum.com.ar
This artcile,Destination Antiques, printed with kind permission and written by Reyne Haines.
Reyne Haines and REYNE GALLERY | 17 East 8th Street | 3rd Floor | Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
REYNE GALLERY Press here to see. And Just Glass
Press here to see JUST GLASS MALLFriends we have made on the web........
As it happened with Rayne, we have met amazing and fabulous people throughout these many years of hard work and development. Mike from the UK, has enlightened us with his wonderful and amazing theatre plays and fire engines. With Pascale from Canada, we discovered the unknown glacier Antarctic territories and the Glacialis Productions.
Together with Jenny from Niceville,
Jenny Fortune
a whole new fabulous world of crazy adventures has popped just in front of our eyes.
While Paully,
Christmas 2004
, Anderies,Jennifer, Erin and JoAnne,
Mad Dog and antiques
, have shared with us wonderful times hunting antiques, discovering Buenos Aires and its hidden treasures.
Hundreds of college students from Buenos Aires and from all over the world have researched and learnt about the world of antique toys and antiques in general thru our websites and research projects, The Buenos Aires Toy Museum..
We’ve traveled thru the many Argentine lighthouses with Klaus and Jim, in spite of the fact that we weren’t together on the boat…Together with Leon from Helmets of the Deep,
Helmets of the Deep for Sale
we dived into the deepness of the ocean, and surfaced together with Jim, spotting unknown treasures...
We have been the eyes thru which many, many wonderful people has got o know Buenos Aires, Argentina and its art, antiques, collectibles and design…
Colonia
And our new and wonderful friends from all over the world have open our eyes into a wonderful world of wisdom and friendship that we treasure and value deeply.
Giuseppe Pirone
,
Jenny Fortune
,
Pascal Debusschere
,
Sandra Bao
and the list goes on, to many to mention......
And if I was to die tonight, I would "Thank you all", my best wishes from a not so far away Argentina, Bob Frassinetti.
Interested in buying antiques and collectibles from Buenos Aires or for that matter any other item that I have mentioned in any article you have found on this my web site, you can buy Toys from my museum and threw eBay, threw the Toy Museum on eBay press here;
Toy Museum on eBay and threw The Buenos Aires ArtDealer, press here;
Art Dealer on eBay From Art to Antiques. Or contact me direct. For more information :
Email Bob Frassinetti. Press here to go to The Buenos Aires Art Dealer is a webzine magazine on Art, Antiques & Collectibles made or found in Argentina.
The Buenos Aires ArtDealer, Argentina. 
Bob Frassinetti
Bob Frassinetti. Copyright 2005. Roberto Dario Frassinetti. Argentina.
Posted by bob frassinetti
at 12:50 PM
Updated: Wednesday, 26 October 2005 1:14 PM
