1 of 4
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
2 of 4
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
3 of 4
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
4 of 4
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
If you’re a globe-trotter, displaying mementos from travels abroad is a surefire way of keeping memories alive long after the stamps in your passport pages have dried. We asked some local frequent flyers about their favorite buys.
Parisian porcelain cups and saucers, circa 1815
“I collect French cups and saucers from about 1790–1830. I was at a big antique fair in Le Mans, near the famous racetrack. I happened to look across the room just as the dealer was unpacking them, and I bought them on the spot. They’re unmarked, but years later, while researching other porcelain, I discovered they were made by the famous Nast Factory and were part of a tea service ordered by the king and queen of Spain. I recognized these were exceptional quality, despite the fact they are undecorated.” –Robert Morrissey, Robert Morrissey Antiques
Czech blown-glass vase
“We were staying at the Four Seasons, by the [Vltava River], near the many glass boutiques in the downtown area, so I asked the concierge for more information about them. She said there was a particular artist who made the works by hand and if we were interested we should go to his studio, where we could see the artist’s process. I love the authenticity of this piece. It looks great filled with gladiolas or other long-stem flowers. In all my travels, I’ve never seen a vase that’s similar.” –Cynthia Dressel, homeowner, Ladue
Greek siren sculpture
“I like getting things on vacation that are unique to an area. I was on a Greek cruise in September 2018. The island of Santorini has a bunch of little shops, and I found this in a small gallery. It’s a pottery sculpture of the Sirens, who, according to Greek mythology, were mermaids who sang beautiful songs to lure fishermen into the sea. I love things about women in mythology. Nothing about it is perfect—it’s so unformed.” –Marcia Moore, Marcia Moore Design
Rwandan masks
“While on a mountain gorilla trekking trip in Rwanda, one day my husband and I opted to take a long walk through rural villages outside Volcanoes National Park. We were greeted and escorted along the way by many of the local residents. Somehow we were lured into playing the role of village king and queen for a performance. Following the show, we were encouraged to buy some handicrafts. We treasure them for the fond memories of that experience.” –Emily Elbert, Byrd Designer Consignment Boutique
Helsinkian reindeer hide
“We were biking through an outdoor market and couldn’t resist. In Finland, locals put them on outdoor furniture to stay warm. They’re super soft and plush. We throw them on the floor in front of the fireplaces during the winter, and our kids love to cozy up there with a book.” –Lisa Carnahan, homeowner, CWE
