We are entering the 5th month of living with the COVID over our heads and the days all seem to roll into one very long month. We are slowly reopening in North Florida with social distancing protocols in place and mask wearing. With many of the outside activities limited we have found that at the Lyon's Head Antique Mall a resurgence of customers both new and those who visit often. We have become the new entertainment and with that increased sales. People long for conversation and dealers love talking about the history of the items that we sell. This makes me happy for our dealers and others in the business. Our neighbor, Junk Co. echoes the same experience that sales are doing well. In fact, when the stimulus checks were received, many were used in our shops. This is what I had done with my stimulus check. I really wanted to put it back into the economy and use it at small, local businesses so on a June visit to "The Junk Co.," I saw a magnificent Irish cupboard without the doors on it and stopped dead in my tracks. This was everything I needed for my kitchen and would free up the limited counter space that I had. But what would this beauty cost me and I'm afraid I thought it would be way out of my budget range. When I saw the price tag my heart went pitter patter and it would also allow me to use most of my stimulus check on a purchase from a small business.
So what I came home with is a stunning, wormy pine, Irish cupboard circa 1840s. The original owner was from Ireland and she had it shipped from Ireland to the US in the 1970s. It was hers until she passed earlier this year. Sadly, no one in the immediate family wanted it so it was sold to a dealer who brought it into the antique store I purchased it at.
This cupboard is a rich golden color and I adore all of the wormy trails in the wood. Now I'm going through my many antique keys to see if any will lock the drawers and the doors.
My usual haunts (those that are still open) wrought treasure these last few weeks.
A charming, late 1800s schoolhouse teachers desk bell. Oh, it has the most delightful sound to it.
A really festive, vintage Christmas apron.
A terrific, mid century, "modernistic" gold filled wire with blue, plastic emerald cut plackets is post WW2.
Love it when I come across musical instruments and this Bundy coronet even had the mouth piece with it.
A lovely assortment of vintage floral hankies.
Who doesn't love these vintage wedding cake toppers?
The biggest master knife rest I have ever come across. It is a massive piece and would look marvelous on a holiday table.
A terrific find, EAPG commemorative for the Shriners 1905. This also has images of Niagara falls on two sides along the cup as this is where the convention was held. The struggle here is do I keep it or do I sell it.
It's been years since I've come across at a1920s long cigarette holder like this. Vegetable ivory with a scrimshaw geisha at the top.
Separates for cleaning. This is a great piece and something that Velma Kelley or Roxie Hart would use.
Mad love for this Arts and Crafts influence, hand hammered copper candelabra. Circa 1910-20s. This was almost a keeper but I brought it into the shop as quick as I could. I had found one of these years ago and a colleague grabbed it up for their home. So glad to find another one.
I have a sweet spot for linens and this crocheted piece and battenburg piece are great finds.
I've been lucky with finding nice, early carnival glass this year and this bowl is rich with iridescent lustre.
Pair of hand painted miniatures on wooden boards. Very 1960.
Sterling silver handles on these cake/pie servers. One is marked Kiwanis Club.
A set of six, antique, Clarice Cliff, mulberry transferware bowls. Staffordshire, England, Pattern: Charlotte. Circa 1900-1910.
A gorgeous, late Victorian book chain necklace with garnets and a seed pearl. These are called book chains as each link looks like a small book.
I've brought in most of these items into my spaces at the Lyon's Head Antique Mall and am always thankful for everyone's patronage.
I hope everyone continues to live safely and we all get though this so we can return to lives that are free from the limitations we now live with. Blessings to you and those you love. SeaWitch
