14 days of treasure hunting fun.

Yes, I'm still on the hunt for a primitive cupboard and the old axiom still stands...when you are looking for something, it hides itself away.  Still, I can't really complain because I have been visiting new and old shops these past two weeks in search of that illusive cupboard and have found marvelous pieces along the way.  

Made a trip to one of my favorite "Primitive" dealers who moved to her new digs in Buford, Georgia..."Further Down the Rabbit Hole."  

This shop is filled with beautiful American primitives, old and new, and a mix of really nifty items of interest. 

Had to purchase two of these 1776 flags with a liberty banner and then the muslin flag tribute endless scarf.  (I kinda bleed red, white and blue, so I love finding new flag items)

Purchased this fine, punch needle work that was a natural progression from the heavy scatter rugs made by women for centuries. Made with a  smaller punch needle and  fine threads, this pretty little dresser scarf has long faded to softer tones, but if you flip it over, you will see the true colors of the piece.  Circa 1920s 

Another find from a favorite spot but still no cupboard.  1925 print by the artist, R. Atkinson Fox (1860-1935) and known as "Love's Paradise”, it  shows a mother holding her baby in a fantasy setting.   At the lower left is "© 1925 Borin Chicago” and at the lower right is "Fox - Urgelles.”  In the original, two tone wood frame, this marvelous print is in great condition and a nice addition to a R.A. Fox collection. 

Nested among vintage tablecloths, this 1950s, Black Americana Towel kitchen towel, also known as the “mammy towel”, was popular in the 1950s. The children have taken some of Momma's pie and she is not happy about it! The colors are primary red, yellow and blue, no holes or wear and in excellent condition and can be found in my main space at the Buford Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors.  If I may share my commentary on the Black Americana collecting field: What we choose to collect is a very personal choice. Just as we can’t make assumptions about people based on the of their race, creed, gender, etc., we must not make assumptions about what people choose to collect either. A few may fear that the preservation of Black Americana serves to prolong racist prejudices but others collect these items to ensure that America’s troubled past isn’t forgotten by future generations. In the words of David Pilgrim, founder of the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University in Michigan, “Use items of intolerance to teach tolerance.”

Be still my heart, how I adore textiles.  Gorgeous Japanese coat is heavily embroidered stump work.  Original silk lining has shredded away and it is covered in age stains, but I think it is extraordinary.

Photo of the back, it is filled with the beloved flower, the Chrysanthemum, or Kiku in Japanese, a symbol that represents longevity and rejuvenation.  The color white, and especially a white Chrysanthemum, is worn for funerals, so this lovely coat may be a funeral piece worn to honor the deceased.

Close up of embroidery. Gorgeous.

A Goodwill find, this was a single stack of little plates tapped together for a single price.  Three vintage transferware pieces, a wedgwood ashtray, a nippon piece and 6 gold and white butter pats.  

One of the coolest items I have found in the last few years, a marvelous (RARE) Victorian, left handed “Pap” boat, baby/invalid feeder, medicine spoon.

Pure silver, no marks, pat. pend., with black, wooden handle. Heavily repoussed, this is a unique medical tool that is rarely seen anymore. Circa 1860-90s.

Big, vintage W&SB Blackinton, silverplate punch serving ladle.  A thrift store find, this fancy bowl lets you easily pour right or left handed. Great condition. Circa 1930-50s 

Bring the romantic light of a Tiffany lamp to your deck, patio, porch or favorite outside living space with this lovely stained glass lamp that is brought to life with candlelight.  Love it when I find these at my local thrift stores.

What marvelous pies, cakes and cookies were mixed in these bowls? Heavy, McCoy mixing bowls (often nested) were found in nearly every home in America in the 1930s. Yellow ware, stoneware blue and pink banded mixing bowls each have a long crack from age but still good enough to mix up batter. I found these at a great price so I am passing them on at a screaming price in my main space at the Buford Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors. 

I've found some of the best antique carnival glass this year.  The streak continues with this lovely pair of antique Dugan & Diamond White Carnival Glass Rose Bowls in the Grape Delight Pattern. The iridescence gives the pieces the look of a blown bubble. 1907-1931

And finally, another antique kitchen mantle clock jumped into my arms.  I just can't resist time pieces and when the price is right I dance all the way to the check out counter. No, really, I do!!!

So, another two weeks of cupboard hunting and haven't bagged it yet. This coming Saturday is a local auction so I'm hoping it may be waiting for me there. We shall see.  Blessings to you and those you love.  Sea Witch

Busy, Busy, Busy.

Greetings, dear readers.  It has been a busy, busy, did I say, busy last few weeks.  Forget that my job has been blowing up all over the place (end of fiscal year stuff...sadly this is normal)  got rear ended in a local shopping center and now have a bashed in bumper, needed new tires and my favorite auction house has been sold to new owners.   In between all of this I was fortunate to find some great treasure and I'm gonna need it to pay for the tires and the new bumper I ordered.

The last auction was bittersweet.  I will miss my friends but wish them so much happiness as they retire and move to Naples, Florida.  I already miss them.  Now on to items that I have won at the past two auctions and a few local shops.

Gorgeous pair of cast iron mirrors.  One is huge and the smaller has heavy architectural mirror glass.  I've kept the smaller one but have the large in my space at the Buford Queen of Hearts.

Amazing, Antique French Apprentice Made Miniature Doll Bombe Chest with Marble Top and Ormolus accents.  Made by an  apprentice to the French Master ebaniste or cabinet maker as a test of the skills they have learned so far. These small 'made at fractional scale' furniture items are one of a kind. While they were created to test the skill of the apprentice, they remain today highly sought after by collectors and by doll enthusiasts, as well. The student would have shown here their skill in veneer, design, cast bronze hardware and trim - all designed within the strictures of period furniture styles. Circa 1900s

These crystal knife rests were found in the bottom of a box that contained vintage character mugs.  

Three sets of cut crystal, vintage salt and peps.  Wouldn't it be fun to use these as chess pieces?  What a magnificent set it would be.

Love these antique straw boaters that men wore during the turn of the century through the 1930s.

Lovely late Victorian jewelry caskets.  Wouldn’t it be lovely if  today’s jewelry came in one of these pretty caskets. Circa 1900s

Pair of gorgeous, early Carnival glass pitchers.  These beauties are rich with lustre.

Another lovely piece of vintage carnival--Marigold Orange Blossom.  I was fortunate to win some fantastic pieces, all are finding their way into my spaces at the Buford Queen of Hearts.

And now the crown jewel in what I won.  Stunning Imperial Glass, carnival glass punch bowl set.  Pattern:  Fashion.  This is a sought after early, punch bowl and stand.  Brilliant lustre, color: Marigold.

Pair of spectrum, rainbow throwing American Brilliant, cut crystal bowls.  Large and beautiful.

 Lovely antique expansion bracelet with engraved MAW initials.  Rolled gold with tiny rhinestones around center locket.  Will hold two images.  Stretches to fit an average wrist size comfortably,  In excellent condition with minor issues from age. Circa 1880s.  

 Lovely Edwardian sash buckle in stylized Art Nouveau form.  A versatile piece that can be worn as a buckle or thread a silk scarf through it, add to a hat or purse or hang from ribbon for a necklace.  Circa 1900s. 

Victorian ladies of means spent leisure time hand painting china and throat brooches. Lighter in theme than the more formal cameo, these became a favorite of the time period.  Lovely, hand painted roses and a water lily, both framed gold lustre on porcelain china.  C-clasp base.  Circa 1890s

 Sweet  little micro mosaic heart pin with pretty little blue, forget me nots in the center.  Safety chain with 10K gold pin.  Popular souvenir item purchased by travelers to Italy at the turn of the century.  Circa 1900s.  

 A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but diamonds are a girl’s best friend…Fabulous vintage rhinestone bracelet.  You will be channeling Marilyn Monroe when you wear this sparkler.  All rhinestones are set not glued and base metal is finished in bright rhodium finish with a safety chain. No hallmark.  Circa:  1950s.

 The “Cadillac” of antique piano scarves.  This tone on tone cream color, hand embroidered silk thread on silk fabric is a stunner.  But the crown in this jewel is the hand knotting of the long silk fringe.  It just doesn’t get any better than this.  Circa:  Flapper era – bootlegs, bathtub gin and speakeasies – 1920s. 

Pair of early 20th century composition dolls. The lady in red is a 1937 Princess Elizabeth doll and the smaller is an Effenbee.

Get red, white and bombed with this fantastic and very well made Restoration Hardware, Art Deco Zeppelin blimp cocktail shaker.  Restoration Hardware is known for its quality and historically accurate reproductions. Silver plated this looks like it has never been used, but does have a dimple in the nose from being dropped but previous owner.  

 Pair of vintage 1970's Vietata Italian Sea Captain and Pirate, Capodimonte Character Mugs.   Hand Painted Stein with original tag. 

And finally, this lovely Venis Martin, Louis XV display cabinet with  curved glass and ormolu accents.  This belonged to my friend, who sold the auction house.  She housed several of her incredible Dresden figurines in it but decided not to take it with her to Florida.  This and other of their personal pieces were on the auction block and I was delighted to win this lovely cabinet.  

It  now holds my antique hair combs and hat pins along with fragile corals and sea shells, but more importantly, it brings me joy to see my friend in this piece and is a gentle reminder of our friendship.  

I hope everyones summer is safe and fun and full of good times.  Blessings to you and those you love. Sea Witch