Living with Vintage Art

Elephant Trunk, Kane Co., Brimfield, all provide gold to the discerning eye.

We have discovered boxes of little metal rocket ship ornaments, clock gears, Whole carousel horses, and model airplanes on our explorations combing through tents, crates, and boxes. There were the two bronze mold templates for gold castings from jewelers in India, wonderful sets of dye cast alphabets and numbers, perfectly arranged in their boxes, and the exquisitely hand made jewelers wooden tool case of different sized drawers to hold many precious findings. Discovering treasures has become one of our all time fun things to do on a warm Sunday morning.

My husband grew up with antiques. His Grand-Mom had a summer house up in the north woods on a lake, and a winter house down in Austin, Tx, both filled with antiques that were admired and used. Hanging gas lamps from old steam trains became the chandelier over the dining room table. Twin bed headboards were passed down generation to generation and made specifically for the great Grand-Dad. Dishes that came over in colonial times have been passed on from one generation to the next. So he has an especially good eye at spotting an authentic piece of value. But really, we are drawn to things we love, are fascinated by, or just amazed at the workmanship. Each piece has its own story.

We have found wonderful items on our travels, too. This carved wooden door from Mexico was leaning on a wall at a small antique shop in Santa Fe. The owners not only could ship it for us, but also knew a blacksmith who could make the table legs. Perfect! Another small turquoise door came from Florida, but originated in Santa Fe! Brimfield brought us a beautiful carved wooden window from India, and intricate icons from Russia.  Kane County, a huge flea market back in Illinois, treated us with a carved, wooden carousel horse and church pew. Gathering wonderful things from around the world is a fascinating journey, that signals the beginning of summer. Let the exploring begin.

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