Oh for the love of a frog…like the one in this week’s fresh to market vintage. We’ve all been there. We see a figurine and absolutely fall in love. It happens to the best of us, even self described non-figurine-liking people. That phenomenon explains the collectibility of Hummels and Lladro that are designed to tug on heartstrings, but also things like Breyer horses and Hagen Renaker animals. But it doesn’t have to be a brand name to make us want it. The little frog has a relatively anonymous pedigree, but when you look into it’s little frog eyes, see it’s little frog smile and it’s lanky frog legs, suddenly it’s Frogday and you’re in love.
It’s okay to have things that make you happy, even if they are “looking at” things, or things that originally had a function that you determine are too nice to use. The moriage demitasse set is a beautiful thing that would make you happy to look at it, whether or not espresso ever touches its surface. And the kluk kluk bottle would be pretty in a window catching the light, whether it is filled with schnapps or not.
But of course you are going to wear the pin, another beautiful thing from this week’s fresh to market vintage, because it will have everyone “looking at” your lapel…
Kutani Japan Moriage Demitasse Cup & Saucer (c1940s)
Offering a demitasse cup and saucer featuring the Kannon Goddess and Immortals. Raised gold paint. Lithopane of geisha at the bottom of the cup. Stamped “Meisyo China, Kutani Japan” on the bottom of the saucer dating it to the 1945-1952 timeframe.
Vintage Demitasse Cup and Saucer, $40
-Linda, Selective Salvage
3D Porcelain Rose Brooch
I can picture this larger-sized brooch on the lapel of a vintage winter coat. The seasons are beginning to change and the bright flowers and warm weather are receding into fall. By the time winter rolls around, we’ll be craving some spring color and fresh flowers. That’s when this brooch swings into action. Wear it prominently on your chest as a reminder of what’s to come weatherwise. Then wear it all year long, just because it’s beautiful.
3D Rose Bouquet Brooch, $21.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
Frog on a Lily Pad California Pottery
I fell hard for his almost comic grin. His rather old backstamp shows he was made by Greyson Potteries of Laguna Beach, California. I joined a group online of CA pottery collectors and found lots of admirers, but no one was familiar with this company. This froggie was purchased from the family of a devoted frog collector in central Massachusetts. Was it purchased new here decades ago? My speculation is that someone visited or was stationed in California and brought this back to her. What is interesting is that Laguna Beach is a mere 25 miles away from the original Disneyland. And if this friendly frog doesn’t look like a Disney character, then I just don’t know the inspiration. Believe me, I had to hold myself back from doing genealogy on the Greyson family in the Laguna Beach area. Now that is a rabbit hole if I have ever seen one!
Frog Made in California, $97.99
-Mary Ellen, AuntHattiesAttic
Norwegian Kluk Kluk Decanter
Known as a kluk kluk decanter for the noise it makes when pouring out a spirit, it’s got a distinctive blown shape with pinched sides that create narrow channels. The original was designed by Danish architect/designer Jacob Bang for Holmegaards Glasværk in 1928. This emerald green example is likely from the 1970s or 1980s and has a pewter grapes collar around the neck, as well as pewter on the stopper.
Emerald Green Kluk Kluk Bottle, $90.
-Laurie, NextStage Vintage
If you’ve never seen a lithopane at the bottom of an Asian teacup like the one in this week’s fresh to market vintage, look around and find one the next time you are in an antique or vintage shop. The delicacy of the image is a treat for the eyes.
While you’re treating yourself, treat yourself to a subscription to our email newsletter. You get one email a week with all our posts so you’ll never miss a thing.
Another treat, now that it’s October, is a good candy apple. We’ve got two vintage candy apple recipes for you.
