With some luck I could bring home the most valuable deal ever and the energy of the lost and found object to be part of large collections of similar items sources in another part of the world.

Portobello  and Camden In London, England,  Chatuchak Market in Bangkok,  Thailand,  Marche aux Puces is Paris,  France  the Flea Market in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico  Mapusa Market in Goa , India, Sant Elmo Buenis Aires Argentina, I have been in all of them from 6 AM to noon every time I could. Each and every fleas market has something to offer that is typical of the region, mostly the neighborhood, against all odds of globalizations flea Markets apart from the usual folk  handicrafts from India , stand firm and unaltered against time.

In Shanghai , the  most modern city in China where food chains are moving up with flash buildings and stunning skylines, the concept is quite the same.  If you turn the corner  you can still find pockets that seem cut from distant centuries.

It’s in a single street named Dongtai Lu , around Dongtai Road, just south of Hua Hai Zhonglu, near Hua Hai Park that  outdoor vendors line several streets on the outskirts of the Old Town

Serious antiques are few  between and replicas and  fakes, but you will find plenty of vintage items, traditional crafts, curios and assorted knick-knacks. Among the stalls with embroidered slippers for bound feet, chopsticks, lanterns and furniture you will also come across Communist-era posters, calligraphy brushes and copies of The Little Red Book in several languages. Experienced antique collectors will be able to pick up some excellent buys.

1960 colorful  memorabilia  of the cultural revolutions depicting Mao zedung and his entourage are among the most interesting objects  I have ever seen in any market elsewhere so far.  Possibly because China has been isolated  from the world for so long.

My camera clicked on Ivory opium pipes, bachelite, jade and amber large calligraphy brushes, colorful hand painted perfume bottles, old imperial style knives, vintage posters and photos, beads of all kinds, emperors ceramic statues, military hats, minute paper red lanterns, crickets wooden boxes, 1800 chess games  and so on until the battery went down.

A true pleasure!

Joelle’s tips

The Street Markert: official name is Liuhe Road Old Handicraft Market.

Open Hours: 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sat & Sun

How to Bargain

Cut the price in half, then half again. Expect to bargain ruthlessly; haggling can take hours. Antique buyers should be extremely cautious; copies are far more plentiful than authentic items across China.

How to get there
The metro stop closest to the market is South Huangpi Road. Taxis are abundant and inexpensive in Shanghai and while most cab drivers know the market they do not speak English. Ask the reception at your hotel to write down the name of the market in Chinese so you can hand it to the driver. Most hotels have business cards with their address in English and Chinese and a space on the back where the Chinese name of a destination can be filled in.We introduce shanghai subway station map for you.

The source: Foreigner.com

Starting from 57^th Street, each of the five main Fifth Avenue windows examines the theme from a different perspective:

Built around a vintage collection of mixed-metal birds and jungle animals, “The Brass Menagerie” is set in a stylized tropical forest of metal and mirror and glimmers with leafy foliage of brass and steel.  Within this forest is a fantasy recording studio, with vintage microphones and a brass “primate” jazz combo.  A giant brass birdcage houses a surprise tenant, and the floor is covered several inches deep with a secret quantity of copper pennies.  For this window, a special dress was created by Naeem Khan.

“Breaking the Ice” invites viewers to a mid-afternoon arctic garden party whose guests include “couture plush” animals such as polar bears, a moose, an arctic mountain goat, a seal, and a of pair wolves.  All the animals have been upholstered in luxe white textiles and appliquéd with icy crystals, beads, and sequins.  A Baccarat chandelier adds luster.  The party hostess is the focus of attention in her specially designed dress and one-of-a-kind cape, all by J. Mendel.

Completely encrusted with hand-cut Italian mosaic tile, this intensely blue window is truly an undersea fantasy.  A single mannequin, in a seashell dress from the Alexander McQueen Spring 2012 collection, appears to be floating amid a massive collection of mosaic sea creatures. Everything is highly patterned, with swirling textures and oceanic colors.  “Testing the Waters” is quite the aquatic triumph as its production was 10 months in the making and is the most labor-intensive single window display in Bergdorf Goodman history.

“Teacher’s Pets” takes viewers inside a 3-dimensional paper classroom filled with black and white paper animals, including a life-sized paper zebra, ostrich, panda bear, aardvark, white peacock, and more.  As the “students” pose within a cascade of zoological textbooks, the teacher – dressed in a black and white lace Marchesa gown – presides over the paper bestiary.  Noted New York calligrapher, Bernard Maisner, provided hand-lettered labels, in Latin, for all the animals.

In the final window, “Artists and Models,” a diverse collection of wood and leather folk-art animals from all continents gathers together.  The setting is a sculptor’s studio out of a folk tale, with an enormous assemblage of wooden creatures.  A mannequin, dressed in a mélange of designers, assumes the role of sculptor, assisted by several antique wooden artists’ models and by a quartet of antic leather monkeys.

 Joelle’s Tips:

The Store:

Bergdoff Goodman

The Source:

The reason for that exhausting experience was due to a simple miscalculation, where arriving at the customs in New Dehli to shop for my store Joelle , I was  refused entrance and advised to go to Nepal for a supposedly 24 hours trip to get a new visa. The 24 hours deadline never happened!

On the night I arrived in Katmandu, the news were all about a plane  that was hijacked in Afghanistan and for security reasons no visas in general were issued until further notice.  Rather than  flying back to London and then Sao Paulo, I decided to stay and to explore the local textiles and unpaired crafts which I new were knowouts.

After a week the collection was set in place, furred pillows, China silked bed covers, coral and turquoise damask placemats , you name it but really  there was nothing else to do. At that time I was traveling with my assistant Marcelo , his first time in Asia where he’d need to follow-up with logistics and to put  physically in place the largest collection the Sao Paulo 1000 sq mt  flagship  would ever offer.

Very quiet and observant, Marcelo rarely spoke. Nourishing himself with Coke and chocolate, he was always able to perceive among hundred  suppliers which was reliable Ali Baba or the thieves. In numerous occasions, later in our professional lives , while  enthusiastically selecting  merchandise , I would hear Marcelo say in the middle of exhaustive negotiations   ”   Chefinha ( Little Boss ), are you working for us or for them? Go for a walk until I am done with this deal ”

The Anapurna escalation was purely my own idea. Bored, and determined to enter India soon,  I needed to explore something new . As a result of the most  physically exhausting and spiritually  overwhelming  life changing experience  I  finally got my visa to fall dead sick in a Delhi Hospital a few days later on Christmas day and Marcelo’s birthday.

Convulsive  fever, stomach and intestine discharge for days ,Marcelo saved me from convolutions choosing not to leave my sight until I got better. His name from that day until today changed from Marcelo to Anjinho ( Little Angel )

After my recovery , for the 10 years, we traveled  all over creating the very popular  Santa Fe Collection among the hundreds of  monthly  designed and developed products from  all over the world. Many years of experience in design, product development, visual merchandizing and import-export logistics little angel became almost my boss.  It was time to follow his own road of expression and a fly with his now very strong wings.

A dozen of tattoos later  and a few entrepreneurial experiences as a  Brazilian beach style Sushi Bars restaurateur , Little Angel  finally opens his mostly mature and compact business called Tam Tum where he designs, produces and distributes locally and internationally in his store and soon on line,  eclectic and colorful home accessories  .

Fresh Pillows, puffs  and futons, fabric lanterns coconut fiber table sets, bamboo furniture and ceramics carry his signature and are synonymous of his great talent and true South American sensibility created for TamTum and on special orders.

The geometric patterns of the  collections are called by the name and places we visited, and the vivid and translucent colors remind me of the unforgettable imagery that crossed our creative minds and spirits.

On his arm I notice the last tatoo…. A large Thank You that he proudly exhibits for the picture although he is very shy.

” On the occasion of your birthday little Angel , the one who thanks you once more , it’ s me!

Merry Christmas

Little Boss “ 

Joelle’s Tips:

The Company:

Tam Tum

The catalogue:
Photo Credits:  Stupla

Due to  my  religion, I have never had a Christmas tree at home much less a crèche. The house where I am a guest is going to follow this tradition, therefore I am invited to come along by my hosts to explore a new world for me that in Naples starts at the famous road San Gregorio Armeno in the center of the Centro Storico (Historic Center).

As I walk along the very crowded road, I notice several small shops and colorful stalls by the dozens with artisans and craftsmen working on and displaying small delicate sculptures representing humans, shepherds, peasants, laundresses, vendors, pastures, cattle, sheep, the three kings and angels. Those figures, called Pastori, give rise to a theatrical scene, the Presepe, or nativity scene or crèche, with lights and music as main religious symbol of the Neapolitan Christmas.

My friends tell me that the construction of Neapolitan crèche traditionally begins the eighth of December from storage pulling out the “basics” of the previous year (a skeleton cork and cardboard resting on a wooden table, without pastors and various decorations) and the possible enlargement like adding the wood oven or ruscelletto (small river) with water and a few more sheep in the flock is discussed in the family and with children.

The story focuses on the birth of Christ, recalling the events of some evangelical and pastoral-bucolic images. With its origins back in the Middle Ages as a handicrafts and a folk tradition it was only in the Baroque age that it acquired a form of high artistic expression developing an interest in addition to the religious symbols (Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, Sacred Child Jesus) the small and middle class, everyday life and the agricultural or Pastoral world.

A remarkable example is the Presepe Cuciniello (Cuciniello’s crèche), which consists of 162 people, 80 animals, 28 angels, and about 450 miniature items. It is considered among the finest nativity scenes in the world and is exhibited in the San Martino Museum in Naples.

I am now watching the magnificent presepi exhibited on the first floor of number 55 San Gregorio Armenio, at the famous 1836 leading master craftsman Giuseppe Ferrigno’s shop, that the Neapolitan crèche becomes the representation of the place where both in the 1800′s and today, the sacred and profane, spirituality and daily life, prayer and irony live together in a city of contradictions.

Marco Ferrigno, Giuseppe ‘s son, explains while offering the best brown foamed expresso ever that the faces of the Pastori are made in polychrome terracotta, the eyes in crystal and their hands hand crafted in wood. The costume fabrics — sourced in antique shops and auctions throughout the year — are made from old silk factory San Leucio and embroidered in the Italian city of Modena in the manner of renaissance Turkish sultans. The family starts working on February to produce them.

The facial expressions, like the one of Carmela (one of Marco’s favorites – he likes her hair) are taken after pictures of a lady neighbor that lives next door with that name. Every year — apart from those who are the traditional characters like Quasimodo, Procida and Caprese — the personification of a new personaggio (character) of a real person is introduced to the superb family collection of presepi as a way to keep the tradition alive.

The  shops offer such a vast variety of products that it is impossible to keep track of them with my camera. Whatever the subject, the statue of an animal, basket of fruit, a port fish, a mill will enrich the choreographed set of presepe-palcoscenico (crèche-set) and clearly my sharp and attentive lens.

I can easily sense an atmosphere of agitated rush around me while I walk, haunted by those terracotta figures, having the impression that they are all staring intensely at me and dramatically wondering why I haven’t picked them up yet to placed them in my crèche…. Even being a Jewish girl I am aware that everything must be ready by tomorrow evening.

Joelle’s Piks:

The stores:

Giuseppe e Marco Ferrigno: Via San Gregorio Armeno,n 8/10/55, Napoli, to order in adavance their products, please call the following number: +39081 / 552 31 48. Delivery could be as early as two weeks, and depending on the Character, a year. Average price 700 Euros per 56 cms figure. www.atreferrigno.it

Arte del Pastore e del Presepe: Via San Gregorio Armeno , 6/7 – Napoli. Tel/Fax 39 081 55 16 221. Here you can find more affordable naitivity figures and order directly on line on categories and finishes, Concetta de store owner will ship directly worldwide upon availability. www.artedelpastore.com

The permanent exhibitions:

Complesso Museale di Santa Chiara: Santa Chiara Eighteen Hundred Nativity Scene at their Chiostro, absolutely magnificent!
via Santa Chiara, 49c
80134 – Napoli
tel +39 081.195.759.15
fax +39 081.195.758.59

Museo Nazionale di San Martino

Cucciniello ‘s crib.

Museo di San Martino Largo San Martino, 5
80129 – Napoli
Tel.e Fax: 0039.081.5781769; 081.2294498

Arte Presepiale Naploetana Natale 2007 (seasonal)

Piazza della Chiesa del Gesu Nuovo (see photo gallery in last post) tel 39 33 93 61 98 02

Readings : The Metropolitan Annual Neapolitan Christmas Crib

The chore of his mission, man’s elegance, is to understand his client’s personality fulfill his wishes and translate them into his aspirational lifestyle.

When I met him at his magnificent 1930′building overlooking private courtyard in the high end neighborhood of Ixelles ,Pierre Degand confided me that his service and advice have no limitations and like the expert team that assist James Bond (who only wears Brioni) before a mission, creativity professionalism and passion constantly reign supreme in this universe of elegance up to the tiniest details.

As I walked around attentively escorted by Mr Degand most trusted right hand  I am introduced to the Maison several brands offered to its prestigious clientele :

Degand Tailleur ‘ The real craftsmanship is the rigeur”

The strength and the difference of  this brand lies of a choice taken to the extreme that only  a few International houses can offer as you can tell by my  pictures in this post. Most of it is genuinely exclusive and especially ordered for his European  clients who step in requesting for unrivaled tailoring. For the last 30 years an in-house  Mater  Taylor  will still create  with devoted enthusiasm old style suits Su misura.

Hafl measure will also be offered in case of specific cuts, morphology of fabric and brands like Brioni and Kiton in 4 to 5 weeks and an replenished inventory of 250 jackets and 600  ready -to -wear  suits some of them in the softed cashmere , 15.000 us dollars vicuna and , finest woven fabrics and the rarest silks and cottons.

Interesting to visit a whole  reserved smoking room and gifts, a jewelry department, sleepwear  and  elegant raincoats and the workshop where 40 hours can be spent by craftsman just for a custom tailored jacket..

 Sport and Business

The vision os for the contemporary man who are active and always attentive to their image. The sport section include relaxation, diversity originality  and elegance as key words.sports, casual wear,trousers, swimear, pullovers, ties, polo shirts, cologne, belts, Jacob Cohen jeans, Fedeli, Orian, Aqua de Parma,Vilebrequein, Brunello Cuccinelli,reflecting youg executives, and elegant fathers at reasonable price.

 Degand Shoes

Timeless Edward Green, John Loeb, Alden Santoni, Converse, Hogan and Ortigni.Experts will be assisting you in the choice of the shoes that will be used for the next 15 years.

if you are in London, Paris or Berlin, just stop by in Brussels to shop here,  it’s  truly a worth experience.

Joelle’s Tips:

La Maison Degand 

At the narrow pedestrian street that begins from Gialos and ends to Kaisaris ” triangle” are gathered many bars, Art galleries high class boutiques, jewelry shops, and brand name stores with are always packed with high demanding shoppers.Also here is the meeting point for the first, second and so on drink.

If you are addicted to shopping as I am , guard like the apple of your eye the list I have prepared  for you with the top addresses for smart buy on Mantogianni and around.

Joelle’s Tips:

Shops:

Jewelry

Ilias Lalaounis , a trusted and respected name in classic Greek jewelry, associated with the famous LALAoUNIS museum and shops in Athens. It has superb reproductions of ancient and Byzantine jewelry as well as original designs. Having outlets throughout the isles, in Athens, as well as in many cities around the world. Today, the shop is run by Maria, a fifth generation jeweler whose father, Lalaounis , was an ace jeweler who had mastered the ancient techniques for working with 18 and 22 karat gold. His original collection based upon ancient Greek artifacts, soon became world-famous for its quality and distinct style, and in 1993, he opened the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum in Athens, Greece, which hosts a magnificent collection of over 3000 pieces of jewelry designed by him.14 Polykandrioti (tel. 22890/22-444),

Accessories

Kombologadiko:  The owner began  1999, when his love for the komboloy, led him to create the Kombologadiko shop, combining the past with the present.  In his shop, you can see  a great variety and rare examples from of komboloys exquisitely assembled in his workshops all over Greece.  His vast collection of  beads  from all over the world will satisfy your taste .Fom traditional solid amber ones, to rare faturan or brand new great colored ones. These ancient beads resemble prayer beads, but actually bear no religious significance at all. They are merely an instrument of relaxation and stress management. Sometimes komboloi are also used by people who want to limit smoking. This last one seems kinda doubtful to me because it seems everyone here wants to die of lung cancer, this country is filled with chain smokers: a cigarette in one hand and a set of beads in the other!  19,M.Andronikou street Matogianni 84600 Tel 30 22 890 27725 / www.kombologadiko.com

Bag : This interesting shop belongs to a lady who has an incredible taste. She  manufactures bags and purses with material from all over the world. Mostly Bali, indonesia, italy and Greec.e. Along with some hats you can end very pretty beach pareos in batik and colored block prints from India.  her sister has a similar boutique in Soho new York. Mitropeleos 8 Mykonos Greece, 84600 Tel +30 22 890 27 669.

Precise Optics: Ultra modern environment where the 140 years store and  futuristic corian surfaces embrace the most fashionable optical of the town. Outstanding brands like Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Valentino, Paul Smith, Roberto Cavalli, Armani, Tom Ford, D Squared that adress to customer of fine taste.

Mykonos at Estie Of Myknos she has only the name and the flair of the island craftsmanship. Hong Kong based designer creates exquisite romantic bridal  accessories that you can shop on line:etsy « MYKONOS SHOP

Linen

 The White  Shop Mykonos : Everything in this shop is white  since 1963. The old lady in the picture,  is the owner and personally hand makes most of it. All the rest is handmade in Greece. Sweaters, knits, dresses, lines, croche tableclothes, hats, napkins, placemats. Anna Keaoy the 26825

Food

If you are interested for something more local and traditional in Zouganeli Street you can buy local sweets and cakes made of almonds, the famous “Amygdalota“, from Efthymiou sweet shop. Another unique shop of beauty products all made from Greek olive oil, The Olive Oil Shop, located also in the same street further towards to the town. Some of the local products of Mykonos like the delicious cheese “kopanisti” you can find at the traditional grocers shop “Lykos” (the wolf) in Matogianni Street. In the Grill Tavern Spilia next to the primary school at Enoplon Dynameon Street you can buy local cheese and sausages from the tavern owner’s production.

Fashion

Soho-Soho, 81 Matoyanni (tel. 22890/26-760), is by far the most well known clothing store on the island; pictures of its famous clientele (Tom Hanks, Sarah Jessica Parker, and so forth) carrying the store’s bags have been in gossip publications around the world. Maria will help the female clientele find the perfect outfit while just across the street, at the men’s store, Bill will recommend the latest men’s arrivals.

Luxury fashion boutique Scoop NYC (tel. 22890/25-122; www.scoopnyc.com) opened its first European location in the Belvedere Hotel. Its exquisite jewelry line by native Mykonian designer Ileana Makri sets this store apart from its New York counterpart .

Yiannis Galantis (tel. 22890/22-255), which sells clothing designed by the owner.

If you can’t afford LALAoUNIS, you might check out one of the island’s oldest jewelry shops, the Gold Store, right on the waterfront (tel. 22890/22-397).

Delos Dolphins, Matoyanni at Enoplon Dimameon (tel. 22890/22-765), specializes in copies of museum pieces;

Vildiridis, 12 Matoyianni (tel. 22890/23-245), also has jewelry based on ancient designs.

Also be sure to check out Karkalis, 17 Matoyanni (tel. 22890/24-022; www.gold.gr), the newest arrival to hit the town with striking original and contemporary designs.

Mykonos is also well known for its house-designed sandals in many colors and styles; perhaps no better selection can be found in the entire island than at Eccentric by Design, 11 Fiorou Zouganelis St. (tel. 22890/28-499), where you can even find sandals encrusted with Swarvoski crystals. For more traditional sandals, check out Kostas Rabias on Matoyianni Street, (tel. 22890/22-010).

Art

Mykonos has lots of art galleries, including some based in Athens that move here for the summer season. Scala Gallery, 48 Matoyianni (tel. 22890/23-407; fax 22890/26-993; www.scalagallery.gr), is one of the best galleries in town. All the artists represented are from Greece, many of them quite well known. There is a selection of jewelry, plus an interesting collection of recent works by Yorgos Kypris, an Athenian sculptor and ceramic artist. Nearby on Panahrandou is Scala II Gallery (tel. 22890/26-993), where the overflow from the Scala Gallery is sold at reduced prices. In addition, manager Dimitris Roussounelos (tel./fax 22890/26-993; scala@otenet.gr) of Scala Gallery manages a number of studios and apartments in Hora, so you might find lodgings as well as art at Scala!

There was a time when Mykonos was world famous for its vegetable-dyed hand-loomed weavings, especially those of the legendary Kuria Vienoula. Today, Nikoletta (tel. 22890/27-503) is one of the few shops where you can still see the island’s traditional loomed goods. Eleni Kontiza’s tiny shop Hand Made (tel. 22890/27-512), on a lane between Plateia Tria Pigadia and Plateia Laka, has a good selection of hand-woven scarves, rugs, and tablecloths from around Greece.

The best bookstore on Mykonos is To Vivlio (tel. 22890/27-737), on Zouganeli, one street over from Matoyianni. It carries a good selection of books in English, including many works of Greek writers in translation, plus some art and architecture books and a few travel guides.

Parthensis:  This Greek brand’s loose jersey garments that  allow the body to move freely,and accommodate a wide variety of sizes, therefore a one-size concept.  Each item will include sizing instructions to help the you select accordingto your measurements by giving you not only the measurements of the garment,but also the range of sizes it can accommodate.  You may wear these pieces in the way that best suits you;however, we recommend that you allow for a loose look, in tune with the brand’s philosophy.  Interesting  architectural space.Alefkandra

Bars:

Most of the bars and clubs are in Mykonos Chora. They are quite stylish and the prices can sometimes be outrageous. There are also beach parties going on all through the summer so keep a lookout for advertising posters. For the Greek Music fans (Ellinadika) among the most popular is the Thalami next to the town hall and the Mykonos Bar. The Giuzel 9 Muses at the east side of Akti Kambani and the Argo bar at the square of Manto. At the Three Wells you will find the famous Aegli one of the hot spots of Mykonos nightlife and on the other side of the road the Asteria bar and the Coo restaurant bar. . The well- known gay bar of Pierro’s start its wild parties after midnight, behind the square of Agia Kyriaki, while Remezzo with its new name El Pecado Remezzo still has its top spot in Mykonos nightlife, just under Remezzo, the bar restaurant Kavos stays open 24 hours, so there is no problem if you want to eat something after the night clubbing. The night party can go on until the morning and be continued in the famous beach bars of Mykonos like Cavo Paradiso and Tropicana in Paradise beach, Super Paradise bar, in Super Paradise beach, Sol Y Mar in Kalo livadi,and Elia bar in Elia beach.

Credits: Frommer’s guides

Photo of Bougainvilaae Flickr: Zopidis Lefteris’ Photostream

Los Cabos

Through my pictures, and some helpful addresses, I have chosen to take you around Cabo San Lucas’ smaller but charming sister city, my favorite in the region of the Corridor.

The city has a refined air, with many shops in old colonial buildings just a short walk from the town’s Zocalo (central plaza). Every door has an imaginary horizon to explore and at times, staying in Luxury hotels in the UK, I have had the same sensation. Here time has stopped like in Cuba.

Before I go into the serious shopping information I insist in bringing to your eyes the pacific and decadent nonchalance of this place. Some of the most interesting shops are clustered within  patios, secret gardens and delicious restaurants.

Most of these shops you will find within a few blocks around Plaza Mijares, where Boulevard Mijares and  Avenida  Zaragoza both end at the remodeled Zocalo at the center of San Jose.

Cabo’s Hats: One of my favorites is Cabo’s Hats on Boulevard Marina and Madero.

The shop carries the exiting Scala collection in materials including raffia, sea grass, panama, crocheted cotton.  Such a great choice.

Jose, the shop manager, tells me proudly that genuine Raffia is made from the natural leaf fibers of the African Palm, Raphia Pedunculata, and is grown on the island of Madagascar.

The renewable raffia straw is hand woven in the Orient after which it is made into attractive and durable headwear, providing beneficial sun protection.

After several essays, with the help of a few clients and Jose, I pick my own – a thick Cowboy-style straw hat, packable and crushable – a perfect fit for my globetrotter lifestyle.

Now I am enjoying the color and creativity flowing from the old adobe buildings of the ever-growing ART DISTRICT in San Jose del Cabo.

Behind the main square and away from the busy main streets are many unique galleries featuring works of Mexican and international artists and artisans. Thursday nights from November through April are designated Art Nights, where galleries stay open until 9 serving drinks and snacks, with various performances, demonstrations, and dancing. Trust me, it’s magic!

Amber Gallery: An art gallery featuring the finest Chiapas amber collection, handcrafted by the owner (with the blue Hawaian shirt in the picture). It includes perfume bottles, jewelry and sculptures as well as Chiapas textiles and original local fine art.

The owner – from Texas and passionate about amber – was drawn to the El Dorado more than 20 years ago. Since then he’s lived in the city center with an old black dog, a large collection of jewelry made with amber and perfumed amber essential oils he created himself. A photographic exhibition about the region was created by his friend, the photographer Bruce Herman.

Jewelry and art are great buys here and it’s where you’ll find the best shopping for high quality Mexican folk art. Located right by Plaza Mijares is NECRI, a sure bet for quality pottery and ceramics.

The family-owned store is known for a wide array of Mexican pewter, which does not tarnish and can be used to hold any type of food. Items to look out for, besides dinnerware, are chandeliers and candlesticks.

Necri also carries Talavera pottery from Puebla that is hand-painted, signed and certified. One can find serving platters, coffee sets, bathroom sinks, vases and more made from this type of pottery.

Necri also carries different designs of Majólica ceramic, which, like Talavera, has European origins and has been admired for centuries. The most popular pieces are vases and plates. Necri has wonderful items, and couples can even register for their wedding gifts there — a great alternative to the usual ho-hum stores.

ARTE JULIAN GARCIA Julian Garcia’s paintings and metal sculptures are a must see when you’re in Los Cabos. Also featuring national and international art exhibitions.

Internationally-acclaimed abstract artist, FRANK ARNOLD GALLERY blends a virtuosic sense of color with an emotionally evocative impasto painting technique. Stop by his gallery to browse his latest works and special exhibits.

GALERIA DE IDA VICTORIA Fine art by local and international artists featuring paintings, sculpture, photography and limited edition prints. Exhibitions change often. Ongoing cultural events from November to May.

BARRIO LATINO is  the perfect combination of fantastic Latin art and fine jewelry.

The afternoon is great, the sky is blue and every little shop is a discovery of its own! One of the nicest surprises to catch my attention is the colorful entrance door of LA PINATA BOUTIQUE.

The owner, Lorena de Basterrra – a beautiful woman a little suspicious at first with my camera activity, is a very polished and creative mind.

In this lovely, small but colorful charming boutique you can source everything from handmade children’s clothing to Mexican vanilla liquor. It packs in a variety of unusual and unique gift items. I suggest browsing the interesting beaded jewelry. It’s a must!

The ceiling is adorned with an enormous decoration made mostly of colorful papier mache: It’s named “7 picos”. It  represents the 7 carnal pecados (The Seven Deadly Sins), also known as the Capital Vices or Cardinal Sins.

It’s a classification of objectionable vices that has been used since early Christian times to educate and instruct followers concerning fallen humanity’s tendency to sin. The final version of the list consists of wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.

After an amusing visit, happy with my hands full of interesting gifts, a little drunk with the vanilla liquor and a small Tequila shot complements of Lorena, I walk in diagonals further down towards the local Mercado Municipal.

A fitting locale, as the restaurant’s ambiance evokes memories of an old Cabo San Lucas with its interior walls covered with faux faded and crumbling murals depicting old village street scenes.

The place is eclectic, with crude spindled wood chairs painted in vibrant colors of turquoise, parrot red and grass green.

There are painted concrete and tile floors, four palapa-covered patio dining levels among fruit orchards and Mexican bric-a-brac decor everywhere.

At night and for lunch, Mi Casa’s menu is a tour-de-force of Mexican cuisine with many delectable regional meat and seafood entrées for the visitor to savor. The patio is charming, strolling around gives you a very good  feeling of what went on the night before.

At Mi Casa Restaurant, Mariachi stroll and play favorite songs around the terraced dining patios.

The Day of the Dead is celebrated annually in Mexico on November 1st, coinciding with the Catholic observation of All Saint’s Day.

The Day of the Dead is a uniquely Mexican celebration, a cultural festival resembling Halloween in many ways, but with more cultural and spiritual meaning.

The holiday combines elements of Catholicism with ancient Aztec symbolism, and honors the spirits of departed ancestors and loved ones who are believed to return to earth to join in the celebrations.
Outlined below are some of the more common emblems of this important cultural holiday:

CALAVEIRAS Mischievous Dead. Calaveras (skulls) are probably the most recognizable emblems of the Day of the Dead. Calaveras are whimsical caricatures – most commonly drawings – of skulls or skeletons. In most cases, calaveras are depicted in humorous settings, often in scenes depicting traditional activities.

Common images include churches, weddings, musicians, dancers, politicians, policemen, and revolutionary soldiers. “Catrinas,” (wealthy women) mock anyone who takes materialistic pleasures too seriously.

CALACAS : Like Calaveras, Calacas are mischievous renditions of skeletal figures. Calacas include paper mache skull masks and figurines of popular calaveras, such as Catrina. They are popular items for tourists to purchase as souvenirs. Calacas are sometimes adorned with the names of deceased.

OFFRENDAS: Perhaps the most serious emblem of the holiday is the Offrenda, an altar honoring the dead. Offrendas are most often created in honor of one’s ancestors or loved ones, and contain a number of traditional elements, many drawn from indigenous Mexican traditions:

Crosses and other religious emblems, including statuettes of saints; Water, sacred to indigenous pre-Columbian cultures, and a symbol of baptism and new life in the Catholic Church;

Salt, a preservative and purifying agent; Copal, a native incense used by the Aztecs; Candles, whose light guides the dead; Flowers, particularly the Cempazúchitl, or flower of the dead – the marigold, sacred to Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of the dead;

Offerings of toys and sweets for children, alcohol and cigarettes for adults, common food offerings include fruits and pan de Muertos, a sweet egg bread shaped to resemble skulls and bones.

PAPEL PICADO: Papel picado literally means “perforated paper,” and refers to the lacy, elaborately pierced tissue decorations popular during the holiday.

Papel picado are created from layers of colorful tissue (or sometimes even plastic), and feature many of the same themes as other Day of the Dead decorations.

HUICHOL: The beaded art is a relatively new innovation and is constructed using glass, plastic or metal beads pressed onto a wooden form covered in beeswax.

Common bead art forms include masks, bowls and figurines. Like all Huichol art, the bead work depicts the prominent patterns and symbols featured in the Huichol religion.

The old buildings of the historic center, the overwhelming presence of the Parroquia San José church along with the inviting atmosphere of the main plaza, sombreros, Tequila and cigars, all share in the responsibility for this very appropriate description of the city.

San Jose del Cabo instills a sense of old Mexican charm into the harsh desert landscape and beautiful coastline that surround the city. Old customs and traditions prevail here and time seems to be nothing more than a symbol of the modern world…a symbol that is very easily ignored by many of the locals and visitors alike.

The boutiques:

Necri Boutique Boulevard Mijares, No. 16, Plaza Mijares
San Jose del Cabo BCS CP 23400 Mexico Phone: (624) 130-7500; Fax: (624) 130-7501;

La Pinata: Plaza Mijares, Art District – San Jose del Cabo 624-146-9728

The Restaurant: Mi Casa Cabo San Lucas Avenue, corner Lazaro Cardenas.
Phone (from the US) 001-52-624-14-31933, Email: salesmicasa@gmail.com

The Source: Frommer’s Guides/Los Cabos Guide

The galleries: The Art District San Jose Del Cabo

One of the best things to do in Europe during the Summer, besides tanning under the sun, is to make sure you do not miss what’s going on in the upcoming Fall/Winter fashion trends. While you are chilling out, many magazine editors, photographers, models, stage setters and style experts have been working extremely hard to give you the right feel of what should be the next new look.

My advice is that you start by buying some heavy magazines to enjoy along with your morning espresso. Those of you traveling by jet can shed the extra weight (and not get into trouble with your baggage allowance) by tearing out the pages you are most attracted to for later. Your next shopping trip is about how you want to be renewed in your life, family, and home.

This is the reason why in Porto Cervo, Capri, Montecarlo, and Ibiza, you’ll find the latest in fashion, luxury and home design before it appears in the large cities like New York, Paris or London. Don’t be lazy. “Oh, I do not feel like working now. I am on vacation and no way in the world I am going to try on heavy clothes and boots, especially as I will only use them in November and December in the snow. I have all the time on the world!”

Wrong! If you want that powerful feeling of being a trendsetter, style dictator, a glamour enchanter, a global Bohemian example of nonchalant understatements such as: “Oh, I just got those boots on my way to the beach before my flight. The kids ski outfits? I bought those in Capri, I am too busy to shop,” then these are the places and time of the year you should shop.

And while your friends in New York or London are trying to find last month’s sold out edition of Vogue Italia where the fashion trend is ‘black mourning‘, you’ll be peacefully having breakfast at Tiffany with your LTB (little black dress), bought last month in Anacapri. “Gosh, it was such a long time ago, I feel like I’ve had it for years!”

One of most luxurious boutiques in Italy believe it or not, is in Anacapri. Founded right after the war by Tonino Cacace‘s mother, a daughter of second generation hoteliers. Although the only shop at that time in Anacapri, it was very much visited due to its privileged location near the magnificent Greek Villa San Michele, a place of great magnetic attraction belonging to well-known Swedish physician, author, humanist and lover of the queen of Sweden) Axel Munthe (1857-1949).

In 1950 the boutique was moved to a different location and to today’s size of 1,200 square meters by a visionary man named Mario Cacce, whose passionate encounter with Rita resulted in a marriage and a lifelong partnership. After ten years, one of the offspring of their union was the Europa Palace Hotel adjacent to the boutique. The hotel was later transformed by their son, entrepreneur Tonino Cacace, into a five star luxury hotel – the Capri Palace Hotel & Spa.

As I enter the Mariorita boutique after a long day at sea on the hotel’s Capricorn boat, I notice the existence of different departments: men’s, women’s, sea and luxury. I am told that the amazing selection of products is personally chosen by the owner himself, well- known to be an elegant man with a touch of personal Italian classic-casual style. At his right arm is a smart, quick young lady named Valentina Prezioso. Her surname already states it: ‘precious’ and preciosity is what Valentina is able to bring after her precious sourcing for the boutique.

Most of the fashion, luxury and home accessory items are exclusive to the Mariorita boutique. More important, certain brands launch their products in anteprima (beforehand) at the Anacapri boutique before any other in Italy, and sometimes due to the staff’s excellent relationships with the brands and the boutique’s exclusive elite clientele, worldwide.

This is why I decided capture a few of the items around the various departments including the kids’ boutique, Aquamarina and the Pop Gallery through my camera’s macro lens, so that you can enjoy the ride and visit with me.

The men’s department holds Versace Collection, Hugo Boss, Armani Collezioni, Armani Jeans, EA7, Ice Iceberg, Tru-Trussardi, Trussardi Jeans, Maserati and Paul & Shark. My favorite are the Maserati leather jackets–sexy, very sexy. (Photo below left)

The women’s department also carrirs mostly Made-in-Italy exclusives with brands such as Armani Collezioni, M Missoni (my favorite black and white–see photo below far left), Armani Jeans, EA7, Ice Iceberg with funny Walt Disney striped icons, and wonderful ski outfits in fluorescent lilac. Swarovski crystal engravings and fur, very dans-le-vent this winter, Tru-Trussardi, Trussardi-Jeans, Valentino Roma by the “The Sheik of Chic’s” new creative director Alessandra Facchinetti, the collection though, with a lot of white lace and black velvet remains still very Valentino.

In the Sea department we have the Milanese brand Miss Bikini, the Israeli Gottex, Chloé, Atlantique, Vilebrequin for both fathers and sons.

The luxury department, founded in 2007, includes stunning hand picked pieces, most of which are limited editions.

The Bentley pens are one example. The prestigious house offers the possibility of engraving the number of one’s Bentley engine in the roller or ink pen. Tibaldi Da Vinci Code Limited edition, is an opulent and precious work of art engraved with high precision on yellow gold and a touch of intrigue reproducing Leonardo Da Vinci‘s Man Vetruvio, a series of the movie ‘s sites, several codes and symbols.

Deciphering the code formed by letters and symbols decorating the pens cap will result in the combination of the two words that historically permit the opening of the Cryptex. It’s price is 17,798 euros in case you decide to keep yourself busy. The boutique is the first global retail representative for Tibaldi Giorgio Armani’s pen collection as well.

Another very special item is the woman’s wrist watch from Chopard in white gold and 1.58 karats of diamonds with a mother-of-pearl background belonging to the ‘Happy Spirit’ Collection. The bracelet is available in satin or leather in your choice of colors. Its price is 19,000,00 euros. In addition to the jewelery Chopard introduced this year, for the first time on the market they’ve released a line of leather handbags, which has already met high success in just a few months. Mariorita is among the few worldwide stores to carry the 2009 collection in avant-premiere.

Among many types of jewelry, my favorite is the local Gioielli Di Luca, hand crafted and encrusted with cameos, corals, and precious woods. The owner, Gino Di Luca, is the president of Oro Mare association of jewelers and coral and cameos handicrafts.

Cartujano, a company from the Italian region of Puglia, specializes in leather accessories dedicated to smokers including cigar pocket humidors made out of Cedar wood, portable pens, ties and individual watch cases luxurious for your elegantissmo man.

Memento is an Italian company specializing in home accessories, mainly vases and ashtrays. They are produced out of glass and covered with a hand crafted embroidery of resin, contemporary and decorative at the same time.

Carlo Moretti is the excellent maestro of craftsmanship of hand-blown Glass from Murano. Exclusively for the L’Olivo restaurant at the Capri Palace Hotel and designed by Tonino Cacace himself, they have dedicated a special collection of tableware and glasses. At the boutique, the client has a choice of having his or her name engraved or selecting an exclusive custom designed color also signed by Cacace.

Jewels Sandals by Enrico Lugani can be ordered and produced in nothing less than two weeks after expressly picking the semi precious stones, model, size, color with personalized name or a phrase such as: “You can step on me dear whenever you want my dear… always yours.” The box comes in black velvet and the lock in Swarovski crystals as if it were a jewelry case. (Picture above)

The Pop gallery, the most recent inaugurated this season and the latest grand passion of Tonino Cacace. It involves a sponsored space with works of pop art mainly from artists and craftsmen of the Italian region of Campania. All the exhibits are the result of a thorough search for talented and gifted individuals with personal and original inventive creativity.

Aquamarina is the children’s boutique, the most successful of all. It features blue wood floors and a cloudy light blue ceiling that makes you feel like Alice in Wonderland — what a trip!

Even with the current world economic and financial crisis, it looks like parents still need to spend time with their children–especially in Italy and worldwide.

The Made-in-Italy brands including Armani, Dolce & Gabbana Junior, Dolce & Gabbana shoes, Dior, Ferrari, Iceberg, Miss Bikini, and Vilebrequin are to die for. Cashmere sweaters with flowers and striped cotton Doppio Petto (double breasted) for small and Junior boys nurture you a fantasy of acquiring immediate parenthood.

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy: D&G baby sneakers, Baby Dior wool small pink dress for little princesses, and at last…

The motto on an Armani baby girl penguin sweatshirt: “I want to become an Eagle” …

I have nothing else to add..

Enjoy the rest through the view through my camera lens!

If you wish to take me seriously fine, and if you can’t, just accept my invitation and ‘travel’ with me in the realms of this life entering the doors of this ‘ magical ‘ old  pharmacy . Entering the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is like walking into a foreigner’s vision of Italy: fresco ceilings, bronzed angels, stirrings of a violin concerto and rows of soaps and elixirs stacked neatly in glass cases.

This artisanal perfumery, which has produced fragrances since 1400 and opened to the public in 1612, sells a seductive mix of handmade fragrance, cosmetics and herbal remedies, old perfume bottles and old scents  whose  intact secret formulae have been kept secret through centuries.

In 1200 located next to Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world. Founded by Dominican friars shortly after 1221. the year of their arrival in Florence, the pharmacy used medicinal herbs grown in the monastic gardens to take medications, balms and pomades fro the monk’s infirmary.

In 1600 when the news of the quality of the products produced by the pharmacy reached the outside world, it was decided to open to the public. Thus in 1612, Father Angiolo Marchissi was appointed head of the title of His Royal Highness’ Foundry (Fonderia di sua Altezza Reale). In 1700 thanks to the excellence of the formulae developed by the apothecary fathers, during the 18th century the fame of the pharmacy spread across national borders to reach such distant lands as Russia, the Indies and even China.

In 1800 following the confiscation of the church’s assets by the Italian government, in 1866 the company became a state owned enterprise. Later however it was ceded to Cesare Augusto Stefani, the nephew of the last monastic director, whose family acquired the name, the goodwill and the assets of the company and has since run the business for over four generations. With Eugenio Alphandery at the helm, Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella both perpetuates and renews the ancient traditions of herbal care.

Using only natural raw materials of the highest quality and continuing to follow the ancient procedures originated by the Founding Fathers, Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella focuses exclusively on the herbalist’s art, basing all its preparation on traditional herbs and oils of natural origin. The vast majority of the medical herbs used in its products are grown locally on the hills around Florence. Furthermore, none of it products are tested on animals.

Each  product tells a story. For example the precious Aqua della Regina perfume was originally created for Caterina de’ Medici, the queen of France,who made it popular throughout France,while the perfume produced by Giovanni Paolo Feminis, who moved Cologne in Germany in 1725, was named Eau De Cologne in honor of the city in which its producer lived.

What is even more interesting, while I stroll with my camera exploring ceilings with renaissance painted figures that have seen many important people passing by and Neogothic style cabinets  carrying displaying bottles of Liquore Mediceo,  Alkermes, Elisisr di China, Aceto dei Sette Ladri (smelling salts) and Aqua di Santa Maria  Novella (for controlling hysterics). This latter product was produced using a local herb recognized for its calming properties. in the sales room are filled with

The perfumes include a whole series of Eau de Colognes, essences and triple extracts ranging from the sweetest Iris, Rose and Gardenia scents to the more astringent Verbena and Vetiver oils or the delightful Aqua di Sicilia. The essences are also used in the production of  soaps which are left to mature in specially ventilated storage facilities as well as a range of  face and body creams which include an Almond paste , great for parched hands Polvere per bianchire le carni (an exfoliating powder), a cleansing milk and a tonic. The Officina produces also reconstructing shampoos and conditioners.

On my way to last room the Old Apothecary, now a herbalist shop I ask the sails person an old woman with a very bored look in her face what was exactly I was smelling around those walls, she answers me adding irony  in her face ” 500 years of aromas” I then realize without her kind help that they are Santa Maria Novella’s Pot Pourri- one of the company’s distinguishing products-is a mix of herbs and flowers from the Florentine hills, left to macerate in Impruneta terracotta Jars (orci). Once the real and proper heart of the company’s production facilities.

Next to it the Green Roomused until 1700 for serving the pharmacy ‘s specialty: a mixture of Alkermes, China Impruneta and chocolate syrup an extremely fashionably drink at the time. The museum is stored in the Old Laboratories and Storerooms of Officina Profumo di Santa Maria Novella‘s. Created with the aim of giving a new lease of life to the machinery as well as the precious glassware,antique ceramics and historic copper and bronze utensils which the company has gelously guarded throughout the troubled events of the centuries.

I decide to sit down, my hands full of  different overlapped creams, Eau de Colognes and  perfumes I stop a minute to reflect…All traditions have a history and few are the ones who have been able to keep them secretly intact and  religiously confirmed by the written word like the Officina . The original texts are luckily offered to us the visitors who have the chance of examine at our easy the details of what was kept once in the Sacristy together with a treasure chest and new specialist volumes.

Finally the aromatic garden is a perfect place for a peaceful reflection, an oasis which seems to have remained untouched for centuries. The aim of the museum is not only to inform those who normally use Officina di Santa Maria Novella products of the way in which they are prepared, but also to anyone wishing to view the magnificent history and superb craft of this pharmacy. Projected towards the future, but nevertheless conscious of the past.

Joelle’s Tips:

The pharmacy:

SANTA MARIA NOVELLA FLORENCE
Via della Scala, 16
011.39.055/216276

The products:

My favourite unissex : Aqua di Cologna Melograno Room essence :Carnation

Now luckily all exclusive Oficina Profumo di Santa Maria Novella products and other traditional European brands are imported and available for purchase on line and at their elegant showrooms in United States thanks to American company Lafco.

SANTA MARIA NOVELLA NEW YORK
285 Lafayette Street
+1 212.925.0001

SANTA MARIA NOVELLA LOS ANGELES
8411 Melrose Place
+ 1 323.651.3754

Judaism is a comprehensive way of life, filled with rules and practices that affect every aspect of life: What you do when you wake up in the morning, what you can and cannot eat, what you can and cannot wear, how to groom yourself, how to conduct business,

who you can marry, how to observe the holidays and Shabbat, and perhaps most important, how to treat G-d, other people, and animals.

This set of rules and practices is known as Halakhah.

The word “Halakhah” is usually translated as “Jewish Law,” although a more literal (and more appropriate) translation might be “the path that one walks.” The word is derived from the Hebrew root Hei-Lamed-Kaf, meaning to go, to walk or to travel.

Halakhah comes from three sources: from the Torah, from laws instituted by the rabbis and from long-standing customs.

Halakhah from any of these sources can be referred to as a Mitzvah (commandment; plural: Mitzvot). The word “Mitzvah” is also commonly used in a casual way to refer to any good deed.

Because of this imprecise usage, sophisticated Halakhic discussions are careful to identify Mitzvot as being Mitzvot d’Oraita (an Aramaic word meaning “from the Torah“) or Mitzvot d’Rabbanan (Aramaic for “from the rabbis”).

A Mitzvah that arises from custom is referred to as a Minhag. Mitzvot from all three of these sources are binding, though there are differences in the way they are applied. The term Mitzvah has also come to express an act of human kindness and Tzedaka. (Charity)

According to the teachings of Judaism, all moral laws are, or are derived from, divine commandments. The opinions of the Talmudic rabbis are divided between those who seek the purpose of the Mitzvot and those who do not question them.

The latter argue that if the reason for each Mitzvah could be determined, people might try to achieve what they see as the purpose of the Mitzvah, without actually performing the Mitzvah itself.

The Rabbis came to assume that the Law comprised 618 commandments. According to Rabbi Simlai, as quoted in the Talmud, this enumeration of 618 commandments was representative of the following.

“  365 negative commandments like the number of days in the solar year, and 248 positive commandments corresponding to a person’s limbs”

Inspired by the the Rabbinical Mitzvots,  Moshe Mizrahi and Eitan Nissanian of MDM Judaica created exclusive one of a kind art pieces allowing every Jew in the world to remember and practice freely in their own homes the rituals present in the Talmudic teachings.

Among the 630 Mitzvots, I have chosen to enumerate a few basic ones to give you a good idea of what it takes today, to understand the basic principles of Jewish Faith the how the inherited knowledge from past generations is manifested through simple and sometimes more complex rituals.

And the greatest privilege for me is to illustrate in this case, the needed basic tools through beautiful uniquely precious works of art described below each Miztvah each one of a kind and all created with love and devoted care. And the Mitzvoths are:

And the  Mitvots are: Put a Mezuzah at the door frame of your home,

Below a collector’s case in Silver and wood inlay  a small key for Parnassa is hidden inside

To recite a blessing for each enjoyment ,

This hand painted illustration on parchment is from the beautiful Book of Perek Shira ( The song of creation) by Rabbi Eliezer.

To ritually wash the hands before eating ,

I am holding a gorgeous embossed and engraved silver Mayyim Acharonim in my hand.

Very good to put in my suitcase on my travels throughout the world.

To prepare lights in advance of Shabbat

A portable gold prayer book, scribed with Kosher Ink and hand sown with 24 k gold thread

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7tLqMOXSPm8/Rf_wuENDL4I/AAAAAAAAAYo/6iTDDR1gFxA/s400/dubrov.jpeg

To recite the Hallel psalms on holy days,

To light the Hanukkah lights,

I have displayed on a table in front of an 18th century Venetian mirror in my bedroom two beautiful examples of Menoras.

The first is a collectible,  25 years old in pure Silver.

It carries a small doors with a silver tray for an incorporated driedel game, a small drawer for the extra candles , and containers for the oil.

The second is a replica of an old Moroccan tradition of inlay .

To read the Scroll of Esther on Purim

This 9 meters (27′ length and 2′ wide) Kosher Meguilhat Esther is entirely hand painted and scribed by expert artisans in Israel. It took more than three years to be crafted. At the left hand-side a scroll of Esther case in silver inlay and the shape of a Castle.  The silver inlay representation of the brave chevalier Mordechai  riding a horse lays on the left at the bottom of the castle’s door.

Observe Jewish Holidays: Rosh Hashana

A very rare serving plate made in silver and gold with  hand painted in porcelain plates  for the Simanim (symbolic foods) .

Blessings are engraved all around the pedestal

and two drawers on the side contain the instruments to work on the dishes

Keep  Shabbat ( Kiddush)

Sheva Brachot/Brit/ Bar-Mitzva /  7 Blessing Cup. First of it’s kind. It is all engraved by hand with a magnifying glass.

Pure Silver inlay with 24 karat Gold. Includes the engraving of all Seven blessings.

A flower ruby encrusted in gold wine leaves on a Spice container for Havdalah. Another silver Spice Box. Wood inlay. Both Collector’s items

Keep Shabbat ( Havdalah)

One of the richest works of MDM. a pyramid Havdalah set. Made of white and red Afghan onyx and or-moulu silver and enamel

A kiddush cup and a spice box are part of this magnificent set

Another spectacular, Havdalah Set.  It is completely hand made.

3-D engraving in silver gold plate. Unique enamel color. All stones are pure-quality rubies.

The or-moulu tray has  a beautiful representation of the Shabbat ceremony in a Jewish household, blessings engraved on the borders.

These seven rabbinical commandments are treated like Biblical commandments insofar as, prior to the performance of each, a benediction is recited.

“Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the universe, Who has commanded us …”

Joelle’s Tips:

Several pieces like the ” Flower of Mitzvots ” and the Piano of Mitzvots” have  all year round  Mitzvots incorporated. Some are pieces like  inspired in the Spanish Marranos where they are hidden like the telephone Havdallah set

All hand painted illustrations as well as the Judaica works of art are from the Jerusalem private collection of MDM.

They can be made to order if not available in stock, price is on demand and can be delivered personally to your home.

MDM : Original Judaica on Parchment and Silver

Contact Info in the US :  Eitan Nissanian eitan126@yahoo.com  / Tel +1( 718) 544-0180 / cell +1 ( 917) 582 57 51 /(646) 270-0680

Rabbis photo Copyrights : common  writes / Wikipedia

Photo wedding copyrights :