Brocante Part II

Five circa 1912 volumes of Charles Dickens' stories

 

Growing up in the city, I never experienced a yard sale or garage sale like they have in the suburbs. My foray into antiques comprised of early Saturday morning expeditions to a parking lot on Sixth Ave and 25th Street that became transformed into a sprawling Antiques Market on the weekends. You paid a dollar admission and then you were in Junk heaven.

I used to browse as many stalls as I could and then carefully selected  my purchase. Money was tight in those days and I tried to keep my expenses down. I always bought something that was useful (what? jewelry is useful!!)

One of my favorite pastimes when I moved to the country was to visit yard sales in the spring. It was such a novel experience and, of course, I'm like an anthropologist. By browsing the detritus of people's lives, I paint a picture of those lives in my head. The books they read are telling signs, the discarded fishing poles, ice skating boots, gardening tools, knitting needles and yarns, all pieces to the puzzle of what constitutes a life.

Here's a few more pieces from my latest treasure hunt:

Set of three vintage L E Smith Moon and Star Amber glass canisters

 

Vintage Kanawha Milk Glass Vase

 

Enjoy!

 

Maria

Brocante: French for second hand goods or in other words: junk!

One of my favorite pastimes is browsing at garage sales. What is it about old things that attracts me? Maybe it's because we lost everything after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. In other people's old belongings I see the memories my family and I lost with all of ours. Where I see a story, a history about where an item was made, how it was used, how long ago, the materials used in making it, my husband just sees junk!

This morning I passed by an Estate Sale in my neighborhood. I vowed not to buy anything I didn't need, but that went out the window as soon as I saw this beautiful Turkey platter. It's a wonderful mid century(all that means is that it's from around the fifties) thanksgiving platter made in California. It's in great shape and I can imagine all the years it has spent serving family Thanksgiving dinners.

Let me show off the rest of my little finds!

These little knives and forks are great for appetizers! They're marked stainless steel Japan.

Lacquer Christmas tray! Made in Japan. I love everything made in Japan. They are such craftsmen!

What about the gravy ladle? Don't you love the shape and color!

My downfall is books. I can't resist buying old books. Old illustrated books. I think eventually there will be no more room in my office for me. Too many books, so little space!

 

Be Well

Maria