LONDON, ENGLAND – Mug

PLACE REPRESENTED: London , England

ITEM: Mug

NOTES: A big brash and shiny mug depicting the famous London open platform double decker bus (known as the Routemaster) which is also big and brash though not always shiny. In the mid 2000s the routemasters were largely replaced (by other closed double decked buses and standard buses) but there are still a few around on heritage lines and as tourist buses.

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s

MADE FROM: ceramic material

MADE IN: China

MANUFACTURER: Wondabox

DIMENSIONS: 8cm diameter opening x 11cm tall. The box is 12cm x 12cm x 12cm.

JAMAICA – Fridge Magnet

PLACE REPRESENTED: Jamaica

ITEM: Fridge Magnet

NOTES: A vivid handmade (the wood is plain masonite) and hand painted fridge magnet from Jamaica depicting a traditional house. Quite wonderful, by fridge magnet standards.

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s

MADE FROM: wood

MADE IN: Jamaica (maybe … it could be Haitian)

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 9cm 7cm

 

MEXICO – Religious Ornament

MEXICO PLACE REPRESENTED: Mexico

ITEM: Religious Ornament

NOTES: Mexican religiosity on display. The Virgin Mary (specifically the Virgen de Guadelupe as Mary is known after apparitions on the Hill of Tepeyac, which later became part of Villa de Guadalupe, in a suburb of Mexico City, in the 16th century) in a Bottle Shrine is common and popular in Mexico (and yes just in case you didn’t know, “Mexico” is written on the bottom of the bottle) but also appears in other places in Latin America. Each one of these shrines is individual. The bottle conveys the admiration of the through color, glitter, candles, flowers and shine and is specifically Mexican! The diorama inside are different on both sides. And prudish they are not the bottle is a recycled Corona beer bottle. Catholics have never had a problem with alcohol.

The diorama in a bottle hobby is hundreds of years old. Sometimes called the “impossible bottle” craft because the bottle contains an object that appears too large to fit through the bottle’s mouth (and the bottle must not be cut) this is something that needs skill and patience and ingenuity.

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s

MADE FROM: glass , paper , plastic

MADE IN: Mexico I suspect

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 19cm tall

 

SOUTH KOREA – Fridge Magnet

PLACE REPRESENTED: South Korea

ITEM: Fridge Magnet

NOTES: “Wonderful Korea”. A youth plays a traditional Korean Janggu drum. I assume it is “South Korea”…is drum playing allowed in the North, or tourist souvenirs, or tourists? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janggu

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s

MADE FROM: ceramic material

MADE IN: unknown

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 6.5cm diameter

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA – Wall Plate

PLACE REPRESENTED: Canberra, ACT , Australia

ITEM: Wall Plate

NOTES: A vivid wall plate with all the sites of Australia’s capital … I didn’t know there was so many.

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s

MADE FROM: ceramic material

MADE IN: unknown

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 31cm diameter

FIJI – Paper Weight

PLACE REPRESENTED: Fiji

ITEM: Paper Weight

NOTES: A paperweight that is also a water globe, a thermometer and a pen holder. There is a decal at the bottom that exclaims “Bula” (which means “hello” amongst other things) and “Fiji”. The wind surfers bopping around inside the hexagon “globe” could be from anywhere of course. When mass production comes to town all identity is lost. Buy something local, it may cost more but it will mean more. Of course if you need a a water globe, thermometer or a pen holder then ….

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s

MADE FROM: plastic

MADE IN: unknown

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 10cm high x 7.5cm across

 

 

CALGARY, CANADA – Wall Ornament

PLACE REPRESENTED: Calgary , Canada

ITEM: Wall Ornament

NOTES: Calgary, Canada with the Canadian Rockies in the background, the skyline, Calgary Tower, Calgary City Hall, C Train, Scotiabank Saddledome Arena and a rodeo participant in the Calgary Stampede in the foreground.

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s

MADE FROM: unknown

MADE IN: unknown

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 15cm diameter