18 Vintage Smalls to Kick Off 2018

Hi there! I’ve been saving up some interesting vintage smalls to show you and decided today was the day. While smalls can sometimes seem to lack excitement, for many vintage sellers they are the meat and potatoes of their business.

I know some dealers don’t like to “clutter” up their spaces, but if you’re able to sell a number of smalls, then profits can add up quickly. On the other hand, if you’re buying to decorate your own home, you’ll want to select your accent pieces carefully, so you don’t get that Victorian, over-decorated look.

I picked up this chunky, pottery container at a church sale and spent an atypical amount on it, given that I think it’s a newer piece. The evenness of the surface crazing and its weight brought me to that conclusion (cost: $5.00, value: $35-40.00). Nonetheless, I still thought it a good value, and it certainly has a nice, decorative “look.”

A delicate, tri-legged vase marked “Made in Japan” (cost: 50¢, value: $12-15.00).

A pair of porcelain owl napkin rings with “Made in Japan” tags (cost: 25¢ each, value: $5-6.00 each).

An English, Susie Cooper, “Black Fruit” (raspberry) design (cost: $1.00, value: $15-20.00). I think it dates to about the 1970’s.

A prolific pottery designer for over 70 years (1922-95), Susie Cooper designed 100’s if not 1000’s of pieces of potter, both the shapes of the pieces as well as their painted designs. She is perhaps most famous for her bright, vibrant Art Deco wares.

A blue crackle glass mini pitcher (cost: 50¢, value: $12-15.00).

On the bottom you can see where the glass blower broke the piece off the pontil and left a rough “scar” on the bottom. You can read more about vintage crackle glass here.

An aqua pressed glass toothpick holder (cost: 50¢, value: $10-12.00).

A set of squirrel salt and pepper shakers (cost: 25¢, value: $8.00). [A “squirrelly” buy I know, but cheap and they’ll definitely sell. Doesn’t add anything to my farmhouse style booth though, lol.]

A wooden cat napkin ring (cost: 25¢, value: $4-5.00). [A bit of an oddity, but I thought the design impressive.]

A beautiful vintage tile in a wooden frame (cost: $1.00, value: $12-15.00).

A pair of oval metal frames (cost: 50¢ each, value: $6-12.00 with vintage prints inserted).

A small dog print mounted on wood (cost: 50¢, value: $5-6.00).

An English sugar bowl with tongs built in the lid, designed to pick up sugar cubes, which are still widely used in the UK (cost: $1.00, value: $20-25.00).

A trio of crystal salt cellars (cost: $1.00 for all three, value: $5-6.00 each).

A milk glass, dolphin candlestick manufactured by the Westmoreland Glass Company (cost: $1.00, value: $15-20.00). [Note: these are designed after dolphin candlesticks produced by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Co. during the mid-1800’s.]

A hobnail, milk glass lantern, c. 1960’s (cost: $1.00, value: $15-18.00).

A Minerva c.1960’s stop watch (cost: $1.00, value: $25-35.00) [Note: As of this writing, it is available for sale on eBay for $35.00.]

A West German tin/chrome bundt pan (cost: $1.00, value: $12-15.00).

Final Find: A small “starburst” crucifix that may be Mexican (and therefore the silver may be sterling) (cost: $1.00, value: ?).

[UPDATE: Linda, a sweet reader wrote, “When missionaries arrived in Peru, the people were worshiping  the sun (not the Son). To “win” them over to Christianity, they would combine icons of Jesus and the sun.” Facinating, right?]

I want to remind you that if you ever see anything you’d like to purchase in one of my vintage finds posts, by all means let me know! Things sell pretty quickly in my world via my blog shop, antique booth, and eBay–so don’t hesitate. Reach out via a comment below, my contact form on my side bar, or DM on Facebook or Instagram.

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