While he found the ornaments back in 2007, Andreas K. did not report it to the memorials office until after rediscovering the dirt-encrusted objects in a basement box while packing up after selling his house two years ago. Soil had dried on some of the items, falling off to reveal precious metal and jewels underneath. A local magazine reported Andreas initially posted photos on the Internet, where collectors alerted him to the potential value of the pieces. This revelation lead him to pack them in a plastic bag and lug them to the memorials office.

Perusing a local flee market back in 1987, my mom and I stumbled upon a very ornate buckle of a heavily adorned woman in profile. At closer inspection, I spotted the signature Mucha in the lower left corner of the piece. Could it be an actual bronze buckle from the Art Nouveau era by the famous artist? Excitedly I purchased the item for a mere $15, and we were on our way. Back then, convenient internet searches were not readily available, so for many years I pondered the buckle's origins. It was certainly a very heavy piece and did not respond to a magnet - a quick test to eliminate a metal reproduction, thus heightening the possibility of a bronze construction.

I had forgotten about it... until recently. This arousing story about Andreas' backyard discovery prompted me to do some online sleuthing. Turns out, while this buckle is actually bronze and signed, it may still be one of many reproductions and needs the expert eyes of an appraiser. Maybe if the Antiques Road Show visits our area, I could obtain clear answers to my query of the Mucha buckle's origins...

Wouldn't it be cool to have a personal modern fairy tale to tell?... xoxo-Sonya