Finishing our tour of the museum in midafternoon with aching feet and a need to sit, we went back to the inhospitable hotel, deposited dolls and stuff there, patronized Amped Coffeehouse to have a snack, and then drove to Black Dragon Antiques in Ballston Spa. This one-woman operation specializes in midcentury modern furniture and Persian rugs. Lyra, who has some experience with antiques including dolls and rugs, wanted to purchase a rug for the ground floor of her condo. I agreed to accompany her because I thought that, if rug shopping bored me, I could look at interesting antiques.

First we stood around for a half an hour, watching the owner and her assistant unearth area rugs from a pile about twenty deep, show them to a couple, and discuss their merits. I was fascinated because the owner knew what she was talking about. Eventually they chose a rug, had it tied up, and took it home. 

Then the owner did the same with Lyra, peeling possible choices out of a pile, reeling off their measurements [which she could apparently eyeball—very impressive], and debating the attractions of the design and color scheme. Lyra found a long runner rug and a smaller one.

I didn’t take any pictures of the rugs, but I did photograph these wonderfully fetishy Erte prints. I like the one on the left best. It reminds me of bondage with beads or something. Orientalism meets Art Nouveau meets beaded shibari or something.

The owner of the antique shop gave me a golden metal pillbox with a blue enamel lid showing a golden  serpentine Eastern dragon on it for, she said, putting up with the owner and Lyra as they discussed rug choices. I assume it was not worth too much if she gave it to me, but I was pleased because it latches securely and feels substantial in my hand. Also, at 1.5” long, it’s the perfect size for a 1:6 scale jewelry or treasure box!

Here’s a shot of my 1:6 scale acquisitions, followed by a shot of dorklets using them. From left to right, Little Theo’s hat and tank top are from the Glam Squad Orange Blossom clothing set that I got at Five Below. Ethancitx’s moon and stars patch, Silencitx’s books patch, and Little Allison’s bee patch are also from Five Below. Everyone’s fancy pens were made by Rose, and they came in the mail at the end of last week. The mini Boggle game is from Barnes and Noble, so this is a showcase of some recently acquired items.