If you were going to paint a still life, what would you put in it? This week’s fresh to market vintage has some very still life worthy picks, if we do say so ourselves.
The pewter pitcher is a natural. The focal point of a traditional still life with lots of fruit and some nicely draped fabric. Flowers are also a popular subject. Imagine the main centerpiece filled as well as a couple of the small ones and then imagine all three artfully arranged with some of those Reader’s Digest Condensed Books with the gorgeous printed paper covers. The fox and his friend would be a terrific subject, perhaps perched on a pedestal in a snowy window. And the glass garnet brooch, you definitely need some vintage perfume bottles and maybe a mirrored vanity tray with a filigree border to do that justice.
Even if you’re not a painter, you can still set up a tableaux. And you can use your own fresh to market vintage! (Or ours, of course.)
Decorative Pewter Pitcher w/Acorn Top (c 1960s)
Offering a decorative vintage metal pitcher trimmed in brass and topped with a stylized acorn stopper. Marked “Made in Hong Kong” on the bottom which indicates it was made for export after 1891. I purchased it in 1971 when we lived on Guam so I believe it dates to the 1950s or 60s. I spent a bit of time trying to figure out what metal it is made of. Beyond the obvious (is it magnetic?), it’s not that easy to know for sure but based on this article by Crystal Vogt written for Hunker, my money is on pewter. If anyone thinks differently, please let me know.
Vintage Metal Pitcher, $ 45
-Linda, Selective Salvage
1960s Metal Florist Centerpiece Set
This metal bowl set is fresh to market, but it is not fresh to me. I’ve been scratching my head over it for at least two years. Here’s what I knew: it had feet to protect surfaces so liquid was involved; it wasn’t anything you would put food in; it was functional and it wasn’t made to be an heirloom. What was it? What. was. it?
My friend Bobbi knew. I was ranting about how aggravating it was not to know what this set was for for the thousandth time. And Bobbi said, “My gramma was a florist. She had those. It’s a centerpiece bowl with little bowls for each place.”
Of course it is. How great would this be at an outdoor party filled with garden flowers? You could finally use one of those flower frogs you’ve been collecting for years.
Metal Centerpiece Set with Individual Place Bowls, $40.
-Laurie, NextStage Vintage
Porcelain Fox and Bird Winter Companions
These two are part of a porcelain collection from “A Country Lane in December” by English Artist and Naturalist Peter Barrett and produced by Franklin Mint. The bird is a long-tailed tit which really does exist in England. I thought long tailed birds were from exotic climes. We have a wandering fox in our neighborhood and are happy to give it safe passage through our yard. We sometimes spot smallish depressions in the new fallen snow where it curled up for the night. We are up for a humdinger of a snow storm this weekend and I hope our New England creatures will stay safe and warm with pleasant company.
Franklin Mint Winter Companions, $ 44.99
-Mary Ellen, AuntHattiesAttic
Czech Garnet Brooch
Marked on the back, Czechoslovakia this brooch hails from the late 1920s to early 1930s. The garnet red stones are called Bohemian Glass as this area once known as Bohemia was famous for producing fabulous glass items. Archeologists have found glass-making sites in the area dating to around 1250. This brooch made shortly after WWI was most likely a tourist item. Almost one hundred years old, it’s still a beautiful piece of jewelry.
Czech Garnet Brooch, Bohemian Glass, $ 79.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
Are you painting pictures in your mind, imaging how you would frame our fresh-to-market vintage with pieces of your own? Perhaps it’s cabin fever that’s making us feel artistic. Or maybe it’s something different, maybe it’s the need to try something new. Rest assured, we love vintage, but we also like to try new things.
We like to write about new things too, as long as they are old things. We love uncovering histories and details we didn’t know. If you like reading what we write, go ahead, subscribe! Get a weekly email with all our posts so you won’t miss anything.
If you’re feeling artsy, but not to the point you want to get out some brushes, you might instead enjoy being inspired by guest author Pam Heim (of 1006Osage on Etsy) on decorating with thrifted art.
