Michael's Spanish Heritage

Are you thinking of travelling to Barcelona? Yes, it’s a good choice! Barcelona is fast becoming one of Europe’s top destinations, perfectly situated between the mountains and the sea, its diverse neighbourhoods offer visitors a unique cultural experience. With a perfect balance of high end design, independent boutiques, showrooms, concept stores and ateliers, Barcelona remains a creative city with a strong craft heritage that is still being nurtured. It's mix of modern architecture and gothic charm make it both sophisticated and bohemian, a magical city.

You might ask why, are we talking about Barcelona? It’s not only our travel recommendation, or the fact that we purchased some interesting pieces. It’s that our very own Michael Greene travelled there only a couple of weeks ago. You might not know, but Michael is half Spanish, with his mother being born near Girona Spain. Although Michael was born in England he has always travelled to his mother’s home town of Girona for holidays since he was a little boy.

Girona is a city on a human scale with all the charm of a larger city. Girona is no longer overshadowed by its big brother Barcelona. Take a leisurely stroll through the old town, visit the museums and the historic buildings, wander through the streets and squares, and discover the tourist attractions, festivals, restaurants and cultural events. Enjoy it at any time of year and, if you can, come back again and again! Girona also play host to the number one restaurant in the world in El Cellar de Can Roca (bighospitality.co.uk, 2015) and it has now been officially confirmed that the Game of Thrones production team will be filming scenes in the city.

The main purpose of Michael’s trip was to visit family although always focused on work, he kept his eyes open for some new pieces to bring home. Barcelona is famous for having great shopping streets like Passeig de Gràcia and Portal de l’Àngel, probably the best-known. It also has some of the best vintage shopping, including some fascinating flea markets.

After Michael’s trip ended, he returned home with him some rather intriguing pieces. Including an abundance of cufflinks, one pair depicting Columbus column and made for the World Expo in 1929, and another fabulous pair with shades of green enamel made around 1920. A marvelous pair of South Sea pearl and diamond earrings set in platinum and 18ct c1930; and a hand engraved diamond set ring in 18ct gold and platinum c1920. These are just to mention a few.

We bring Barcelona back to Queen Street. Come visit us at Greene & Greene Antiques, Woollahra.

Some new pieces from Spain

Just a few charming cufflinks Michael picked up in Barcelona