December Treasure

Can't believe that we are in mid December and 2013 will soon be over.  It has been a year of highs and lows.  My knee replacement surgery was a marvelous success and I am so grateful for the brilliant surgeon I had, my insurance coverage and the outcome that allows me to move about so easily now.    The passing of my beloved following a quick diagnosis of cancer was devastating for me.   We never saw this ugly disease coming and it took him  so quickly.  I miss Alan daily but he is in my heart and I feel his presence all around me.  

Spent Saturday out and about at favorite haunts and brought home some marvelous pieces.

I adore American basketry and although my collection is a small one, I do have some good pieces.  This large, square split oak market basket is gorgeous and I can't wait to fill it with handspun.  With the cold temps were have been having, I spin fiber for the pure joy of it.

Found this beautiful French, late Victorian stoneware pitcher at the Buford Queen of Hearts that was part of a washbowl set.  Great transferware images.

Closeup of the pair of morning doves that are found all around the pitcher base.  This is another personal keeper.

An auction win, a set of Rudyard Kipling "pocket books". Circa early 1900s.

Another auction win, the works of Washington Irving...one of my favorite American authors.  Right up there with Nathanial Hawthorne and James Fenimore Cooper.  These appear to be first edition and each one has a beautiful engraving at the front.

Engraving of Washington.

Engraving of Buffalo hunt.

Pretty two handled urn is blow art glass in a bronzed metal frame.  Unfortunately, it was dropped by a previous owner and the glass is broken in places. Still, a votive candle inside and it glows beautifully.

A lovely pair of Victorian, Reed and Barton water/wine goblets in marvelous condition.  Heavily silverplated, one chalice is engraved with beaded bands and the other engraved with Eastlake designs.  Circa 1870s.

Most of you know I have a fondness for antique, Currier and Ives prints. This gorgeous print is "Robert Burns and his Highland Mary." Has some age issues but the colors are brilliant and it is in the original frame with bubbled glass.

Found a nice assortment of vintage, Crown Ducal, England transferware plates.  Pattern is Bristol and the transferware color is English Blue.

In the same group was an assortment of plates and bowls in the same pattern but in the color, Bristol blue.

Four antique, mother of pearl handled, sterling ferrule and heavily silverplated Wm. A. Rogers forks. These are in marvelous condition for their age and weighted beautifully.

Six antique, mother of pearl handled knives are in great condition.

Pretty, Reed and Barton fluted server is brilliant silverplate.

Always love to find these antique pitcher and bowl sets in white.  They just speak of another era gone by.  

So I cleaned and I researched and I priced and then I baked pies.  Pumpkin and egg custard, my kitchen smelled heavenly.

 

Hope you holiday preparations are going smoothly and as always, blessings to you and those you love.  Sea Witch

December Treasure

Can you believe it?  It's December already.  Had a lovely Thanksgiving visit with my son and his family in Denver and even got a little treasure hunting in as well.  I hope the holiday was a great one for you as well. Now I'm playing catch up again on adding more inventory, pricing items, sprucing up the booths and preparing for more Christmas sales.  Found some nifty finds this weekend, unusual pieces for this time of the year as well.

 

Found this buried in one of my boxes of Christmas items.  I had thought I sold it all these years. Very 1960s with plastic garland on a birch branch with bells.  The definitive door hanger to announce when guests arrive.

 How lovely is this big, vintage wooden and wire birdcage?  Original brass feeders are still intact and has two doors.  I filled it with vintage Christmas balls and topped it with a pretty ribbon.

Pretty vintage, wrought iron tabletop or mantle candelabra is big and heavy. Holds 7 standard dinner tapers and has lots of layers of old paint.  Really like this piece so if it doesn't sell, I won't mind. 

 

 

 One of my best finds this weekend.  A marvelous, original Currier & Ives hand colored print of "Little Charlie" and is dated 1874.  Original bubble glass and frame with wooden backing.  The colors are brilliant and true.

 

Vintage milkglass footed compote is filled with gold plated silverware.  Everyone needs a happy gator with a Christmas ball in his mouth...especially if you are a "Gator's fan."

Pretty little jasperware creamer and sugarbowl.  Soft sage green color with lovely details.

Vintage Holy Family velvet tapestry. 

Beautiful pair of late Victorian, pot metal, heavy candlesticks have been sprayed antique gold.  

 

Exquisite silverplated tray by Wallace Silver.  Large piece with highly polished surface, it is as brilliant as a mirror and looks like it was never used.

 

Another super find this weekend,  a gorgeous and hard to find Roseville, Clematis container.  Their larger offering, this pattern was produced in 1944.  These actually look like poinsettias.  It does have crazing and a small repair and a crack line, but it is a hard to find pattern in the matt pine green and the large container form. 

 

Brought in more Santa's as they seem to fly out the door. 

 This jolly old elf is a nifty vintge piece that is a nice size.  He lasted 24 hours before someone took him home.

 

I love these wicker tiered servers.  They have so many uses.  Nice vintage piece in terrific condition.

 A second beautiful hand colored print in bubbled glass frame.  I love these mid Victorian pieces and this pretty peasant woman is filling her table pitcher with cool water from a wooden flume.

 Pendelton blanket, Harley D stocking and pinup calendars came and went as fast as the vintage Santa.

 Vintage trees, wicker pieces and mica houses.

 Photo of my general line booth.  Sold lots of items while I was visiting my Denver raviolis and had to fill in the empty spaces.

 

My Victorian booth continues to be my favorite.  It is always fun to add period pieces to this booth.

 Sold several large pictures so had to bring in new ones.  Moved items around to give the booth a fresh look.

Will catch up on my blog reading this week, I have missed reading your posts and am looking forward to your lovely photos and what you are up to.  Blessings to you and those you love and have a great week.  Sea Witch