Vintage Batter Bowl Mixing bowl yellow with red stripes

I found this sweet vintage batter bowl at an auction here near Philadelphia. I knew it was old, I knew it was unbelievably charming, and I knew any bowl collectors would want it for their kitchen collection!

What I did't know was how difficult it would be to identify it! I tried ebay, etsy, vintage village. I asked for help from antique dealers online and off. I looked in books, at pottery sites. I tried again every week or so, hoping a similar bowl would find its way online. STRIKE OUT!

What I do know is that it's heavy, 8 1/2 plus inches wide, made of white clay with yellow glaze and maroon red criss cross stripes. It's probably from the studio of an individual potter or small company from the late 1930s to early 1950s, that likely didn't do too well or maybe went off to war...who knows? Because this is so rare!

But I like to think that makes it even more welcome in the vintage kitchen! If you know anything that could help i.d. this bowl, can you let me know?

And if you're interested in putting this darling in your home, it's in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/59046939/vintage-batter-mixing-bowl-pottery along with lots more details! Thanks for stopping by!! Robin

Antique Plateau Vanity Mirror

I do love those romantic dresser items, mirrors, antique brushes and comb vanity sets, boudoir lamps and trinket boxes! So I snapped this pretty antique plateau vanity mirror up! I could just envision perfume bottles reflected in the beveled mirror making someone's bedroom dresser just sparkle with sophisticated charm!

But when I started researching it, I found that Victorians used these in their dining rooms! A really snazzy and gilded age type piece to put on a table to hold a centerpiece. Now, you may already know that...I am fairly new to antiques, mostly specializing in quirky, romatic and stylish 1930s to mad men era pieces. But it does go to prove that once you get the vintage bug, you never stop learning!

Here's more info on this antique plateau vanity mirror.

Vintage Individual bone china Fondeville English Breakfast Set in blue and white...

SOLD!

This set of blue and white bone china for an individual breakfast is one of my favorite things, I can just imagine "breakfast in bed" for that special day for that special person!

One of my favorite things to do at auctions is to purchase an entire table or box lot. If I see AN item I know will fit in my online vintage shop, I love to take the gamble that things I know nothing about will be a nice fit as well.

That's what happened with this set. I found it just kind of chucked onto a table and didn't really even pay much attention to it til I got it home.

For one thing, it had been stowed away somewhere so long, it was covered in that dirty, dusty, been there forever grime. So I wasn't even sure if it was usable, much less salable. And being old, I had no intention of putting it in the dishwasher. But it was just some grime and a sinkful of sudsy hot water turned it into an immaculate, sparkling treasure.

I put it in my little maple china cabinet in my dining room and snapped some photos! I love the design, the little light blue daffodil that is perfectly captured on the dome entree cover! And an egg cup, individual tea or coffee server with sugar and creamer, toast dish and fruit or cereal bowl are just so pretty to display, but honestly, if you were ill in bed, wouldn't breakfast in bed with this set be just what the doctor SHOULD order?

Pricing was took me a while for two reasons...one was that I had to decide whether to offer the set as a set even though there is some damage to some pieces...and the other is that this is so unusual. It was hard to find a comparable set. I found bits and pieces, but that didn't tell me much. It wasn't hard to find the company that made it, the pieces are all marked.

And I decided to offer it as a set. If it doesn't work out, I can always break it into individual pieces, but even with the most major defects (cup handle repaired and big chip off the creamer spout), I think it's interesting enough and usable that most vintage or antique collectors would want to own the whole set. If that's YOU, click on this link:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51911639/vintage-english-breakfast-set-blue-and and if you'd like to see all of my vintage wonderfuls currently for sale, they're here! http://anyoldtime.etsy.com/. I also do Rice's Market in New Hope PA on many Tuesdays and the Golden Nugget Art and Antique Flea in Lambertville, NJ on many Wednesdays, so have other cool items there as well!

Decalcomania - A pre World War II vintage decorated pencil box

I knew it was an old vintage decorated box. I have photos of the lady who owned it as a teenager, dressed in her flapper finery. I knew it was German, and pre WWII because of the stamp on the back of the box. I knew it was a pencil box by the configuration of the inside. I knew it was gorgeous! But what I didn't know was how it was decorated!

As I ran my finger along the decorations, I could see they were raised. Some were faded, some still very vibrant in colors. But I could tell it wasn't handpainted because of the sameness of all of the figures and the perfect electrified gaslight lines that some of the birds were perched on. Internet research didn't help me out, but finally a clue from another vintage seller: Decalcomania!

It's decals. Old decals. Decalcomania was a decorating craze in the late 1800s extending into the early 1900s. Used to decorate china and other household items, this ebony pencil box was a super example of crafting way back when! The decals are printed on a surface that when wetted, enabled the crafter to slide the sheet of colorful birds and ivy right onto the box.

Since this box is a pencil box (although it can be used for so many other things!), it's likely that it slightly predates the flapper photo, so probably was crafted in the 19teens to 1920s. At any rate, it is a gorgeous vintage example of a historical craft and stands alone as a useful piece for any vintage collection. The metal clasp still works perfectly!

The mysteries of collecting vintage are so much of the charm to me! It's like just a tiny piece of history...one that doesn't involve kings or politicians, but every day women and men...that makes it so fascinating. Click on the link, if you are interested in more info and photos or in purchasing this wonderful vintage decalcomania pencil box.

And lots more vintage wonderfuls here: in our online vintage shop.

Gorgeous HUGE Square Milk glass fruit bowl - And how we found it

Just when I wrote off certain neighborhoods as being "bad vintage", I found this enormous milk glass fruit bowl in the attic at a house contents sale where the other floors were full of nuttin' much. She said, "including attic" and up I went.

The only light was from a small little bulb on one end and the little ventillation window on the other other. You know that hot, dusty attic smell that catches your breath? There I was. I rooted through tons and tons of papers, plastic and empty boxes and found just a few little gems..this was one.

It didn't LOOK like milk glass...it was pretty brown and dusty, but I knew that what was underneath was spectacular!

Sure enough, a good washing brought out a sweet centerpiece that is both vintage and timeless.

It's a little over 10" square, and is in good vintage condition. Issues: small hairline crack on one edge and a few "flea bite" chips on undersides of lacey opening. We've priced to reflect it's less than perfect condition. I love how the sides are fluted and slightly crimped and the edges look lacey but not too-too fussy. An elegant piece for your tabletop, dresser or vintage inspired office! We are offering this pretty piece at $18.50 plus shipping, and checkout is easy, here: at our vintage decor shop at Etsy! Here are additional photos.

Art & Antique Market Show on Wed., June 29, 2010. 7 a.m. til?

In the Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey area? We will be showing tons of beautiful vintage at the Golden Nugget Art and Antique Flea Market on Wednesday, June 30, 2010! Look for the balloon with the "V" for Vintage! It's us! We'll have a selection of quirk, fun and stylish vintage, from designer pocketbooks for the 50s and 60s, planters and figurines from the 40s, men's fedoras, hippie chick macrame belts and bags, collectible china, jewelry, kitchen, entertainment and tons more! More info and directions HERE..

Not able to stop by? Lots more vintage in our Online Vintage Shop!

We might do the Columbus Antiques and Collectibles market on Thursday, check back tomorrow if you're in the area. Other places we show are Rice's Market in New Hope, PA and the New Castle Farmer's Market in historic New Castle, DE.

Rare McCoy Triple Planter from 1951!

Vintage triple planter made by McCoy in 1951, a lovely blue-green with that luscious McCoy glaze. $34.50 plus shipping.

I've had this piece for 2 months trying to authenticate it, as you know, not all McCoys are signed...this one isn't...so it took a lot of tracking to find it.

Finally found it in the third McCoy reference book I tried. So a great addition to the McCoy collector, or a stand out piece for anyone who appreciates vintage pottery and outstanding design!

Stylish and timeless, it is in absolutely perfect vintage condition. No chips or cracks and crazing is appropriate with age. There is one spot of missed glazing on one leaf tip, it is not chipped, underglaze and the integrity of the leaf is intact. Appx. 3 1/4" tall and 10 3/4" x 3 3/4".

For more details, photos or to purchase, click HERE! to be takent to our Etsy shop and checkout.

Vintage MOD silk foldover clutch purse in an abstract design by Ingber!

SOLD!!
Stunning and unusual foldover clutch in bright multicolored midcentury modern abstract vintage styling from Ingber. Fun for day and a knockout in the evening.

This gorgeous purse lived in a collection by a discerning handbag collector and she kept her treasures pristine by carefully wrapping inside and out with tissue.

The design is circles within circles...so sixties...and features chartreause, dove gray, bright orange, hot pink and eggplant purple. $28.50 plus shipping.

For more photos, info or to purchase, click HERE to be taken to our Etsy checkout. Or email us if you'd rather pay by check or money order.

Vintage Cigarette box - or trinket box - candy dish - turquoise ceramic with kicky mid-century modern handle!

Ceramic box with distict, midcentury modern sleek design. Turquoise with brown speckled box features an stylish handle and can be used for so many things, besides just being lovely...cigarettes, if you use them, paper clips or notes on your desk, cotton balls or q-tips in the vintage bath, matches on your retro porch! More photos and very easy checkout HERE at our Any Old Time Shop on Etsy.

Vintage Donkey Pottery Planter

SOLD!

Whew, boy, this vintage donkey planter has ATTITUDE! He's about 6" long 4" tall, in pristine condition, and painted with so much personality! He was made in Japan, and is marked "Made in Japan".

No chips, no cracks, just a tad crazing, he's in gorgeous vintage conditon and perfect for your vintage home or office!

We found him on the third floor of a "junk" store in one of those old towns on the Delaware River. Here's a few more photos of him: