When exactly was the Victorian era? If you’re using Queen Victoria as a marker, it stretched from 1837-1901. Buildings and decorative arts that are described as Victorian generally date from between 1860-1910. We’ve handled our share of Victorian smalls and furniture, and most of those have dated from 1880-1910. There are two Victorian pieces in this week’s fresh to market vintage, and though they are both over 100 years old, they are not in museums and they are affordable. How can it be that things that are over 100 years old are affordable? Is there some mistake?
The mistake most people make is equating age and value. Value for vintage and antiques is determined by scarcity + demand. Holding a Victorian boot hook feels holding history. But Victorian boot hooks are not scarce because everyone needed one to button their boots, so they are inexpensive in today’s antique market. Same can be said of hair receiver jars, decorative painted china and silverplate flatware–there are plenty available because they were things that everyone had that were passed down through generations because they were perceived to be sentimental or valuable. Hence, today they are affordable.
It’s odd to think that you might pay more for a vase at a big box store than you would for a Victorian pressed glass vase. It seems wrong. And yet, it’s true. It’s easy to scratch an itch at a big box; shopping flea markets and antique stores takes more time. But you might wind up with something from a different time, and you’ll never find that at a mass retailer.
So let’s get to the two Victorian pieces we have in this week’s fresh to market vintage, as well as the two non-Victorian pieces.
Victorian Pointing Hand Brooch
The Victorian era was filled with symbolism. Historic lore says that a hand pointing up was used as a symbol of mourning and pointing toward heaven, while one pointing down was a symbol of death and burial. I’m not sure if that idea is fact or fiction. Either way, this tiny brooch is a lovely symbol of the Victorian age.
Pointing Hand Mother of Pearl Brooch, $45.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
Clown Candle Huggers and Holt Howard Candle Holders
Sometimes I put several things together in order to make one little collection. I have no idea where these vintage clowns came from, but they are certainly not the scary kind. They are acrobats, look at the way they are holding onto the candles. I added two Holt Howard candle bases that cute little tufts of spaghetti ceramic to add to the fun. I love it when a plan comes together.
Acrobatic Clowns and Holt Howard Candleholders, $52.99.
-Mary Ellen, Aunt Hatties Attic
Pale Green Victorian Glass Tumbler, Hand-Painted c1900s
I love thinking about how the woman who painted this glass tumbler thought it would be used. It’s hard to imagine that sipping sloe gin was the plan when you read the Farmer’s Almanac piece on “Victorian Era Social Ettiquette and Manners“. Check out the advice on small talk. That one made me laugh out loud.
Antique Glass Painted Tumbler, $45
-Linda, Selective Salvage
Silverplate Chafing Dish with Claw Feet
One of the key concepts of product photography is to show the product clearly. Which is why I covered the forward facing claw foot with a towel, apparently. This isn’t an antique chafing dish, it’s probably from the 80s, but its got swagger with those feet. If you’re a little goth, a little witchy or if you wish your best friend was Jane Austin, you need to have this for entertaining.
Silverplate chafing dish with claw feet, $60.
-Laurie, NextStage Vintage
That’s this week’s fresh to market vintage, covering a range from Victorian finery to clowning around to claws. You never know what you’ll find in this weekly post, mainly because we never know what everyone else is featuring. Having two Victorian pieces was a random bit of serendipity.
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