Featured Finds Thread

I watch for float frames going cheap for just that reason. They're no help with canvases, but you can stick a print in them that's not the same size or even shape as the frame and it looks like it's supposed to be like that.

 

Hot air engine

 

You found this????

 

Very nominal cost. Less than some dinners lately.

 

And you’ll do what with it?

 

I'll peddle it after I make a video of it running. Weather doesn't look good for that for another week or so.

 

What is/are its use(s)?

 

Terry, DH wanted me to ask you two questions (he's fascinated, that's my choice of word, with your "hot air" engine).

1. Is it a "Sterling engine"?

2. What is the heat source?

 

Not Stirling. Essex type. No diaphragm and piston and displacer arranged differently.

Heat is whatever you can burn in the center compartment.
Probably about 1/40 HP at best.

 

DH just saw your explanation and said "that's fascinating." Thanks, Terry.

I'm laughing a little bit because DH did use the word "fascinating" after I used that word and made sure you knew that I had used it.

Hmmm, I guess after all these years DH and I do think/talk alike.

 

And that’s fascinating ‘Data’ YT.

 

You could do it with canvases as well, but not that easy.
You see it often (with simple frames) on period canvasses during the 70 ties.

 

My finds are Ebay finds... so, usually not in the cents range, specially with shipping costs from abroad (I'm in France!)
Exceptionally I was browsing the French Ebay for 19th antiques and had the luck to find this in the last seconds of the auction...
Badly photographied and described as highly ornate metal little chalice!
Got it for 5€ plus additional 5 for shipping
Norvegian plique a jour, 4cm high 7cm wide.
Damage to one flower petal...
Will see upon arrival if it is marked/signed, I'm rather confident it is silver
First pic is as it was pictured in the listing!

I enhanced this one...

 

I got last month my first Norvegian plique a jour piece, badly damaged 900 silver letter opener, marked T O (mark in superposition to a 900...).
As received in pic 1, Kyratised enamel in pic 2!

 

How lovely !

 

pic number 2 looks like it's back to life......lovely item !!!!!

 

Aww, thanks Johnycb and Komo
That's my goal, find damaged pieces and bring them back nearest their young glory

 

If only you could do that to me !

 

Some kyratisations/repairs, with the methods used there:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/user/kyratango/kyratised

 

If only you could stand in the 110°C oven for 20 minutes, I would do that to you