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Mixed Bag of Weekend Finds – July 2022

While we usually highlight vintage items, this was a mixed bag of weekend finds. And it’s a collection of vintage, and some well-done Deco inspired. Yes, really!

Now, we are generally not a fan of Deco revival or Deco inspired as it is usually derivative and not particularly attractive. But every now and then, we find things that are actually nice.

Deco revival drink plate

Manhattan (author’s collection)

This set of 2003 drink plates by “The Marketplace” is an example of modern aesthetics with a deco influence.  I found these at 2ND Avenue Thrift Store. Are they a perfect fusion? Maybe not. But they are stylish. Not only decorative, they are informative as well.  Each plate has the recipe for the featured design. I passed on these originally but relented and went back the next day. I’m glad I did as they were 50% off!

Another 2ND Avenue Thrift find are these Franklin Mint 1993 limited edition, The Amazing House of Erté.  Franklin Mint is known world over for producing quality wares of all kinds. And these are no different. But this set is only half of the Erté series of 10 originally available. Online prices are all over the place from $30.00 for a set of five up to $450.00 per plate.

Erté Plate - Athena

Erté Plate – Athena (author’s collection)

Just a note, both sets of the dishware listed above are decorative only as the glazes can be poisonous. Therefore, they are not food safe.  We don’t want you to get sick from your weekend finds!

Franciscan Ware

Franciscan Ware Teapot (author’s collection)

……

I stumbled upon these at Good Stuff Thrift Store. They are Franciscan Ware service pieces in the coral glaze. And they are in the Coronado pattern.

Everyday pieces are found fairly easily. However, service pieces are harder to find. The Gladding, McBean & Co. in Los Angeles, California produced this pattern between 1936 and 1954. The backstamp on used on these pieces show they were produced anytime from 1940 through 1947.

Weekend Finds

Modular Glass Flower Trough (author’s collection)

I found these vintage glass flower troughs at the GoodWill. They are quite versatile as the modular pieces can be arranged to suit your needs. And they keep your table alive with flowers, but without obstructing the view and conversation of your guests.

Victorian’s used similar sets and their popularity is enduring. Modern versions are still available. Although vintage, dating these is tough, they are probably from the mid 1930’s to late 1940’s.

Art deco tray

Chase Meridian Tray (author’s collection)

Art deco tray

Chase Centaur Mark (author’s collection)

I picked up this hard-to-find Chase Meridian cordial tray at the Golden Nugget Flea Market. Now I thought it was piece by  Chase but had a difficult time finding the mark. It was only $5.00 so I took a chance. I eventually found the Centaur logo making this late 1930’s piece quite the find.

West Bend Hot / Cold Server

West Bend Hot / Cold Server (photo via Pinterest)

And finally, another GoodWill find is the ubiquitous West Bend Hot / Cold server. Commonly know as the Penguin Ice Bucket, this piece was produced from the 1940’s through the late 1960’s. We’ve seen crazy prices online and at antique stores. To find out more about this item, click here.

Just a quick story: Many years ago at a flea market in France, a vendor had some of these on display and we struck up a conversation. She told us that the French are crazy for this piece and willing to pay top dollar to own one.

Hmm! Maybe we should export them for a percentage!

So, this is our mixed bag of weekend finds.  It’s good to be back on the road again. We’ll be vacationing soon and hope to share more fun deco finds with you!

Happy hunting!

Chris & Anthony (the Freakin’ ‘tiquen Guys)

Weekend Finds – July 2022

Many of you know I thrift and flea market several times a week, but especially on weekends, looking for weekend finds.  I recently picked up some items I think you’ll find interesting.

Deco cocktail shaker

All Evercraft or a marriage (owner’s collection)

The first is a skyscraper cocktail shaker purchased at a GoodWill. Made by Evercraft, what makes this an unusual piece is the cap. We have not been able to find this shaker with this cap in any search. What we did find is this shaker with a stepped lid.  Conversely, we found a similar top on a Farberware (Japan) cocktail shaker.

Now frankly, it could be a marriage of two different shakers. But the cap fits perfectly which usually doesn’t occur between different manufacturers.

So, did Farberware sell off some of its designs to Evercraft? Did Evercraft copy Farberware? Is it coincidence that the top happens to fit the shaker perfectly? We truly don’t know! But it is still a stylish addition to our ever-growing collection.

Another weekend find came from the Good-Stuff thrift store. It is one of those, “I think it’s cute. I don’t know anything about it but I’ll take a chance.”

Bovey Anzac Figurine

Bovey Australia Anzac Figurine (owner’s collection)

Deco Bovey

Factory markings (owner’s collection)

What I found is a hard-to-find, if not rare English statue, circa 1945.

The Bovey Pottery Company closed in 1957. Had they not created the “Our Gang” series, they probably would have been lost to history.

Bovey Factory

Bovey Pottery Factory (photo via wemysswarebook.com)

The figurines celebrate the various armed services who fought in WWII. And, some of “Big Names” involved were commemorated as well.

The “Big Names” consist of “The Boss” (Winston Churchill), F. D. Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin.  And really, who wouldn’t want a Stalin statue in their house?

The figures were designed in collaboration by Gwynneth Holt (1909-95) and architect Fenton Wyness (1903-74) and consisted of 16 figures in all. They were in production from October 1940 through the early 50’s.

Gwynneth Holt (photo via sculptors.org.uk)

In general, they were sold in a soft matte buff or matte white glaze. The figures are also available in a mottled brown glaze (that I find disturbing).

Bovey The Boss

Winston Churchill in dueling glazes (photo via auction-net.co.uk)

The other figures are:

RAF Pilot, Australian Army (Anzac), New Zealand Army (Anzac), Staff Sergeant, Tommy Soldier, Sailor, ARP Warden, Nurse, Land Girl, Sergeant Major, Scottish Soldier, Navy Captain, W.A.F.F Airwoman, and Home Guard.

Polychrome examples do exist. But various sources indicate they may have been prototype models that never went into production as they are unmarked.

Pieces that come up for auction regularly sell above the auction estimate as collectors try to complete their collections. I’m glad I took a chance picking up this little fella!

So, if you like something, pick it up. You just never know what weekend finds you’ll stumble across driving-for-deco.

Happy Hunting!

Chris & Anthony (The Freakin’ ‘tiquen Guys)