Featured Finds Thread

My recent dealer story...I visit this dealer's store to pick up costume (and sometimes fine) jewelry. His specialty is military items. We were at the same jewelry table at a flea market and he picked up this ring. He asked he what I thought, and I just shrugged my shoulders like IDK. He put it back down, decided it was an Avon piece, I picked it up. It fit my pinky, and when looked at it, I felt it was a better piece (hard to see in the shade outdoors.) The blue stones test as spinel, center stone is a sparkly little diamond, I believe it's 14k at least. May have been a Mother's ring. $3.

 

Oh, what a deal! Great find!

 

If the bottom of the shank is rounded, get suspicious even if you can't find a mark. If it's squared off, the maker cared less and it's less likely to be real. If it's dimply on the back, you'll know it if you've seen it, gold is unlikely. Silver is still possible.

THis one though, if it's a diamond and spinels...bingo.

 

If someone followed me around I wouldn't say anything but I might start picking up completely worthless items

 

Lol! And act like I'm guarding them with my life.

 

That should be minds !

 

Then there's the lady who's afraid of me seeing what she just picked up. Like she's afraid I'll swipe it or something. Or she was when there was anything to find.

Another guy did it the other week. He left his cart of assorted bits sitting with the unused ones. I looked at what was in it and saw what looked like jasperware under a t-shirt. Asked if it was anyone's cart, and he came rushing over to rescue his finds. (that weren't worth it for resale, but he didn't ask me. )

 

Finally took some photos of some bits and pieces I've picked up the last couple weeks.

I might put this in the pottery forum, I can't find anything on it and would love some keywords to help figure out more about it.


A nice Limoges enamel, these this size cost 30+, this was one was only 3 and I like them so its home now.



And these chinese bowls. I picked them up from a junk shelf and did a quick image search. I saw 1850 and bought them for 1 euro each, but when I got home I see they're still doing them. These feel nice quality, and the painting is hand done. Thoughts on age?

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I know diddly about ceramics/glassware, but I am thinking Scandanavian on that pitcher just from what I know from jewelry designs....

 

I have some rice pattern bits from the 70s. I use them. Yours have painted decorations added so they're at least a bit more upscale.

 

The jug is more Celtic than anything. Do need to see the base, but it’s very Book of Kells.

amphora did some enamel work like that.

 

Two goodies I found in the Swap Shop at our local Transfer Station last week

An EAPG Cake stand, Melrose by Bryce Higbee & Co., from the 1890s:


A set of 6 Fostoria Persian etched stems for the 1930s:

 

Ohhh....that cake stand!

 

I will never understand how placing a cake on a tippy pedestal ever became a thing

 

I never had a tippy cake stand. It displays the cake beautifully.

 

Depends on how many cakes you have.

Ima say it's like glasses. Could you drink your milk, water, pilsner, stout, red wine, white wine, coffee, tea, lemonade and whiskey all from the same glass? Probably. And could you do so congratulating yourself on your superiority to all those other people who apparently need different glasses? Also probably.

But me? I'm gonna have another champagne from this here flute.

 

I don't use cake stands, but I can't resist those vintage chrome cake covers and sets.

 

Dareful. I recall hearing back then that these had lead in the glaze. Stopped using one for the cats' water bowl just in case.

 

That cake stand would be a star at one of our tea parties...an idea for the next one!

 

They are great for holding cup cakes, cookies or fruit, they look so pretty