If you like organic, natural designs for your vintage, have we got a fresh to market vintage post for you. Starting with the gently sweeping long leaf brooch, we move on to the sweetgrass tray with the diorama of seashells gracefully arranged like flowers, we leap over the singing cat (which is adorable but hardly relaxed and natural) and land on the Soreno ashtray. Soreno was designed specifically to appeal to the earth first aesthetic of the late 1960s.

With the flowing lines, natural patterns and warm colors, organic and natural vintage pieces have an ease that help create a calm, restful decor style. The cat, on the other hand, is full of energy and mirth. It would be categorically impossible to see that cat and not smile.

Gold Plated Long Leaf Brooch

Made by Giovanni, this brooch is one of the largest by this company. The company, which started in 1959, was made famous for its “Christmas Rose” brooches. They were also well known for the many styles of leaf pins and brooches the company produced. This leaf is over four inches long and would make a stunning addition to a fall coat. While I know it’s still summertime, fall is around the corner. I’ve already seen Halloween decor in the stores.

Fall Long Leaf Brooch, $21.95

Pam, Vintage Renude

Vintage Folk Art Diorama Serving Basket (c 1930s)

A vintage American handcrafted basket is woven from sweetgrass, featuring a wonderful seashell diorama of four vases filled with flowers, covered with an old piece of glass. I am not sure about the origin of this piece. I purchased it years ago in the upper Midwest from a very knowledgeable dealer of early Americana who said it was Seminole. I have no clue whether it was made as a souvenir, a craft during the “WPA” days or as a labor of love but I do know it is an authentic piece of vintage folk art.

Vintage Floral Shell Serving Basket Tray, $125

Linda, Selective Salvage

Schafer & Vater Singing Cat

I pick up any Schafer & Vater items I can afford to purchase. This Caterwauling Cat is the quintessential sort of character that this company made before WWII. They also made (with permission) kewpie items, faux Wedgwood pieces, “bathing” beauties and a popular Ugly Grin Collection. You can learn more about Schafer and Vater in my post dedicated to them.

Schafer & Vater Bisque Cat Figurine, $125

Mary Ellen, Aunt Hatties Attic

Anchor Hocking Soreno Ash Tray

The Anchor Hocking Soreno pattern is one of the most popular patterns the company ever produced. Made from 1966-1974, there were between 40-50 pieces in 5 colors (avocado, amber, teal blue, clear and olive). Not surprisingly, based on the era, avocado green is the most iconic of the colors. The ashtray was made in several sizes, interestingly. I’ve seen the Soreno urn-shaped vases and the pitcher in the wild, but very few of the other pieces, which seems strange. I guess that means I need to do more treasure hunting.

The two Anchor Hocking patterns that had more pieces made than Soreno are Wexford (100+ pieces) and Prescut (80-100 pieces), if you don’t count Fire King. It is illegal in America to have an estate sale without offering the ubiquitous Wexford pitcher or the Prescut platter.

Anchor Hocking Avocado Green Soreno Ashtray, $15.

–Laurie, NextStage Vintage

That’s this week’s fresh to market vintage, our last for the month of July. Wait, what? Where did July go? How did this happen? We didn’t get to nearly enough flea markets and estate sales. Can we get a do over?

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