There is something satisfying in having a bit of esoteric knowledge that you get to apply every once in a while. Imagine how smug Mary Ellen felt when she identified her match holder. Or how wisely nostalgic Pam felt when she figured out the burl wood bracelet probably came from a back-in-the-day import store. Of course, since this our weekly fresh to market vintage post, there are couple of mysteries…like what was the purpose of the curious and lovely horsehair badge? And what is the dingblasted pattern name for the EAPG comport?
If we knew everything, it would be fine. We’d get by. But how dull life would be without the opportunity to unveil those snippets of random knowledge with the finesse of a waiter at a fine French restaurant lifting the chrome lid off the spécialité de la maison roasted squab avec les champignons.
Keep that image in your head as we unveil this week’s fresh to market vintage…
Bisque Head Novelty Match Holder
A while ago I had a post about Schafer and Vater ceramics and featured a match holder called “An Ugly Grin.” This funny little three inch high character is not made by that company, but also features a drilled head to hold the smaller wooden matches of an earlier era. It was mistaken for a hat pin holder, which was fine by me knowing his true identity. I never thought that I would come across something similar again in my picking travels or online auctions, but here he is!
Match Holder, $41.99
-Mary Ellen, AuntHattiesAttic
Beaded Horsehair Badge
This is another one of the pieces that I wish came with a backstory. We purchased this in a tiny shop in SD thirty years ago and the owner knew only that it had come from a local estate. Obviously, it mattered because the maker put a lot of work into the beading and assembling the badge and the recipient saved it. But the occasion it was designed to commemorate is only a guess which, to my way of thinking, is part of the fun to be found in collecting vintage.
Vintage Ephemera, Handmade Beaded Badge, $20
-Linda, Selective Salvage
Burl Wood Cuff Bracelet
This chunky bracelet is not for the faint of heart when it comes to bold jewelry. Sporting fabulous geometrics along with beautifully swirled burl wood to say nothing of its massive size. It all screams “Look at me!”. Unsigned, I imagine it originally came from one of those fun imports stores that I love so much. Does anyone remember The Akron stores in SoCal?
Carved Burl Wood Cuff Bracelet, $125.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
Antique EAPG Clear Glass Compote
As a vintage generalist, I have knowledge that’s wide but is sometimes thin. One of the very thin spots is Early American Pattern Glass (EAPG). I like it. I can generally recognize it. But when it comes to dating it or sussing out what pattern it is, my knowledge is about the thickness of a vintage Golden Book. A moderate knowledge of EAPG would be about as thick as a large print illustrated complete Webster’s Dictionary. I am not even close.
What I do know is that it can be a heck of a good value. It makes me sputter with indignation that a beautiful glass cake stand from the 1880s might only be worth $40 or $50. It was made when Garfield was president! (James, not the cat.) I am the first to tell you that age and value are not related, but still…
This compote is probably from the late 1800s. It has some bubbles and an inclusion or two in the glass. When you ting the rim, it has a loud, clear and lingering ring that is a pleasure to listen to. I was unable to identify the pattern. It’s a piece of history that would be delightful filled with your fresh fruit on the counter.
Antique EAPG Petaled Compote, $48.
–Laurie, Nextstage Vintage
What was that incredible badge for? Was it for horsemanship? Was it a club project? Eventually, we could figure out what pattern the compote is, the resources are there, but the only place the true purpose of the beaded badge exists now is in our imagination.
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2 comments
Linda I looked at your fresh picked find and I’m wondering since you got it in in the Dakotas that perhaps it’s a Native American decorative item that would’ve been pinned onto clothing for ceremonial dance. The fact that the ribbon is still very bright and red is such a transient color I’m also thinking that if it was indeed something important and that would be put away carefully between use. Just a thought…
You could well be right, Mary Ellen. That part of the state was Sioux and Lakota territory so it’s quite possible this has Native American roots. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this post could help me confirm that? I’d love to see it find a home with someone who knows more about it.