More Crazy Good Stuff?

Tuesday was my third trip to the big private pick and I was wondering if I would find more good stuff in the five remaining boxes all of which have been in storage since the 1960s. So far these picks have been a mixed bag–some good stuff, some too damaged, and some just tat and not worth selling online. Well our first box on Tuesday included some vintage Hawaiian leis, which I passed up, but overall the morning didn’t disappoint! I came away with two full moving boxes of goodies.

Some items were acceptable AS IS with the lovely patina of time…

This Jennings Brothers bronze inkwell (with milk glass insert) was one of them. So lovely. The only problem–is anyone buying inkwells?

This insanely long, old, glass bead necklace ends with a three-strand tassel and shell bits. It was stored with some Native American-style necklaces but I need to do more research. Not sure what I have here!

This antique picture frame is a true wabi-sabi beauty. It originally held a crumbling Asian cork scene. We threw that away and the glass, because this frame was the real treasure. Likely real gold leaf with the kind of natural wear that is so beautiful.

I knew exactly where this textile came from having sold Kuna mola (Panama) textiles in the past. These sell well for me. Is it just me or is a man with a gun chasing this woman??

Some need a little attention…

Like this simple cotton christening gown. Good on the front but with dark stains over a wide part of the back. Would love to hear your stain-busting suggestions for older material!

This vintage/antique embossed leather box with silk moire lining is likely Italian. Florentine? Such a handsome thing about the size of a glove box. The leather was a bit dry so I gave it the “Paul’s Pail Beeswax Leather Conditioner” treatment and it came up beautifully. Not sure on the price yet.

Some things I took for unexpected reasons…

This tightly woven tapestry of Rome was nice (though a little boring), but it was the metal wire tassels at the bottom that held my interest. Vintage and antique passementerie can be wildly valuable. So I’ll remove these nine and sell them separately from the tapestry.

My biggest conundrum…

So many things in these three picks have proven difficult to research and price. I mean how do you price antique woven grass socks from Alaska that are only found in museums?? They are fabulously unique, but I imagine the market is small. Still I couldn’t leave them behind!

And this very old Italian figure with a fancy (but fragile) gown is likely from an Italian nativity and just stunning. The accompanying note dates it to late 18th century!!! Gosh, how does one price an 18th century figure? (Very carefully!)

Her legs are a mixed composition!

Almost in the black!

All in all between the three picks I’ve spent $900 in five weeks. Gulp! That’s considerably above my average spending for that time period. BUT I remind myself that I have well over a hundred interesting, old, quirky, rare pieces to show for it. To date I have sold $959 worth of items (12) from these three picks (ranging in price from $18 to $225) but that does not take into account all the fees I’ve had to pay or the gas to and from, etc. So I’m not in the black yet, but getting close!!

Still a few more things to come…

There are still a few misc. items that may come my way from this “estate.” Which would be fine. But if not that’s okay too.

And bonus…there are a few things I’m keeping! Like this mummy case fragment at 10″ wide. It’s the real deal and such a beautiful unique thing. My youngest is particularly fond of it and implored me NOT to sell it! Soon it will head her way.

In closing…

I feel so blessed that I got this private pick opportunity. Even though the quantity has been overwhelming at times, it has been fabulous on so many levels. So many things I know I’ll never see the likes of again.

Happy hunting in your neck of the woods,

Karen