15 Fabulous Farmhouse Finds
Hi there! Did you have a nice weekend? We enjoyed some warmer weather with sunshine, which was just lovely. I continued with my new “cram-the-booth” philosophy on Friday and unloaded three boxes of smalls and several good-sized antique pieces in my antique booth.
We made a Goodwill pit-stop and I found absolutely nothing worth buying 🙁 But fortunately, I’ve gobs of previous finds to share with you, like today’s 15 Fabulous Farmhouse Finds that I hope you’ll enjoy. Other farmhouse finds posts that you might want to read can be found here, here, and here.
While Americans have loved white ironstone since the 19th century, the English have always preferred their’s decorated, like this beautiful Aesthetic Movement plate with a mix of Asian and European influences (cost: $1, value: $12-25).
Notice the Japanese-inspired cherry blossoms and the scattered central design–both marks of this movement. The medallion-style decorations in the center are another give-away.
Incised with the name “Furnival,” it is an early piece (1860-1870) by the T. Furnival & Sons pottery, which operated in England until the 1960’s, under the name “Furnivals” after 1890.
I know, I know, more china, even though I often say how poorly it sells, sometimes the designs are so beautiful and the prices so low that one can’t resist. I know you get me.
Furthermore, I’m planning to write a post about brown-decorated ironstone, so I’ve been picking it up whenever I find it at reasonable prices (cost: $5 for 4 plates, value: $5-10/plate).
The “TG & FB” mark refers to Thomas Gilbert Booth and Frederick Booth. These brothers produced pottery in Staffordshire, England from 1883-91.
“Hawthorn” on the mark refers to the pattern, which they also manufactured in blue. I would describe the style of this decoration as Aesthetic, like the previous plate, given the asymmetrical design, along with the inclusion of cherry blossoms.
A pretty English transferware platter (cost: $4, value: $18-25). It’s large size and pretty decoration make it desirable (I hope!).
A primative spool of wire (cost: $1, value: $10-12), a cast iron receipt spindle (cost: $1, value: $10-12), and a large spool of cotton lace (cost: $1, value: $15-25).
There are literally several hundred yards of lace on this spool, which I think should sell well on eBay. I have to admit that I “stole” a few yards for myself to use with projects like my TTP roll angels.
An American pottery, Hall has been in the business of making ceramic dishes and utilitarian ware (think toilets) since 1903.
The company rediscovered the lost process of “single-firing,” which meant pieces could be fired with both their paint and glaze applied prior to firing. The process catapulted Hall into the position of “largest teapot producer in the world” by the 1920’s.
Most widely known for their “Jewel Tea” teapots and related dishware, the company supplied the Jewel Tea company with this now-famous china for use as a premium giveaway. Hall remains in business, though Homer Laughlin China Company (known for their Fiesta line of china) bought them in 2010.
I picked up this early custard dish for 50¢ (value: $4-5).
A vintage cheese crock made in the USA (cost: 50¢, value: $8-10). I often come across these without the lids or wire and like to use them as pen or scissor holders around the house.
A pie crust crimper (cost: 50¢, value: $4-6) and a scoop (cost: 50¢, value: $6-8).
A pewter candle snuffer (cost: 25¢, value: $6-10).
An antique pulley (cost: $1, value: $25-35). I love how some bloggers have used these creatively, like Christine from Little Brags; she created a hanging wire basket chandelier using a pulley that’s to die for.
A great old tool box, stenciled “Ralph” on the side (cost: $3, value: $25-35). These sell extremely well for me, given the myriad of ways they can be used in decorating, my favorite of which is as table centerpieces, holding flowering plants.
I’m not sure what the original purpose of this piece was, but it intrigued me and I knew the color and rustic design would capture attention in my booth (cost: $1, value: $15-20). It needs a good cleaning of course. Any ideas on how you would use it or upcycle it into something marvelous?
Final Fabulous Find: I bought this large barrel-shaped gallon jar at a neighborhood sale in the nearby Schenectady Stockade, an historic district dating back to the early 1600’s.
I bought a number of pieces from the lovely gentleman hosting the sale, and he gave me good deals on everything, including this jar (cost: $6, value: $30-40).
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So many nice and familiar pieces! Love the brown crock, originally sold with Wispride cheese spread (packed in plastic bag), with a rubber gasket I love them and buy them often when I find them intact. I’ve found several in unusual colors and sizes that were not from Wispride but fun to find, including small glass ones that were used for butter. (I put pens in mine, too, if it doesn’t have a matching lid and bail.)
Love the oval platter and green tool box. I wonder if the red wood box might have been hung on a fence post – possibly to protect from the elements a battery-powered fence charger (wire strung just above the top rail of paddock or pasture fencing pto keep animals from pressing on or chewing on the top fence board). I think you mean the pewter piece is a candle snuffer, not a snifter (which is a stemmed glass goblet for brandy). Fun finds!
Hi Leslie! I found some cheese crocks in beige, sometimes with blue graphics on them, but would love to see some in different colors, like you have.
Great guess on the house-shaped thingy 🙂 Thanks for the correction re: the candle snuffer — made the change!
How about using the red house as a bird feeder with a suet cake or perhaps a gardening tool shed by hanging some hooks inside for tools? Great finds!
Great ideas, Debbie! Thanks so much for sharing them 🙂
I am always glad to see that I am not the only one who has a weakness for lovely pottery, those Aesthetic pieces are just fantastic. I’ve said it before but I say it again, you and I could NOT go thrifting together, we would be grabbing the same items or we would have to agree to take turns. My weakness is anything with birds on it and that first plate is so lovely.
So glad to have you on my “side” regarding the dishes, Susan! I’m sure we could work something out if we ever went vintage shopping together, after all, I want to keep you on my side, LOL.
Hi Diana, love everything in this post! I would love to see photos of your booth with your new “cramming philosophy”. You mentioned earlier that it’s working for you. I’m not sure I want to head in that direction but you can’t fight success.
I’m still in the hope phase, Linda! I’m HOPING it works. I will try to remember to take photos next time I’m over there 🙂
Diana, the little red house looking thing reminds me of a squirrel feeder. You know the ones you stick a cob of dried corn on? It’s missing the spike to hold the corncob. Love your posts❣️💞
Ooh, maybe that’s what it is?? So glad you enjoy my posts Cecilia and sweet of you to say 🙂
The wooden house you were unsure of looks like the outdoor shrines for Mary we use in upper Midwest tacked to trees near home gardens or in cemeteries.
I agree. The first thought that came to mind was a religious statue for the garden. You see these in Italy along the roadsides.
That’s what I was thinking.
Love that gallon jar – and for $5! What a bargain. If I had that red “birdhouse” I can see it holding a dried flower arrangement, or I would put a few stems/branches in it and perch a bird on them, OR put a piece of acrylic on it and a dowel for a bird to sit on, and make it into a REAL birdfeeder. It would be pretty just setting on a shelf!
GREAT ideas, Barbara–thanks for sharing them all with us 🙂
So many wonderful finds, Diana! My favorites this time are the tote…and that fabulous lace!
Yes, I love the green on the tote/tool box, and the lace just sold on Ebay–woo woo!
I love that brown ironstone with the cattails! For the birdhouse looking thing… could you add a tray at the bottom to hold bird seed and then stencil something on the inside? A cute saying or something?
Tania
I think that’s an excellent idea, Tania; I think it would be darling 🙂
Love everything! I pick up the receipt spindles when I find them…don’t know why. I thought those things were candle snuffers, because you snuff out the candles. No? The wooden red thingie I think would look good with a saint statue inside. Also a jar lover! and crocks ! and platters! HA! So, do you really think the lace will go up and down a football field a few times?! wow! that’s a lotta lace!! I gave mine away a few years ago to a woman who made American Doll clothes for her grands and great grands. It was such a lovely way for it to be used! Not sitting in a plastic storage box at my house! Ahhh, so much stuff….so little time. 🙂
I hear you about the receipt spindles–they’re so cool, but I’ve yet to find anything particularly cool to DO with them, LOL. Yes, there was a ton of lace on that spool and it just sold to a happy eBay customer not too long ago, so it’s not sitting in MY house any longer–woo woo!
Cool finds Diana. I keep telling myself too…no more china! But then I find something too good to leave behind. 🙂 – Karen
Thanks Karen! I thinking we both have the same disease, LOL 🙂
Diana, I would use that little house-shaped item in one of 2 ways, depending on its size. If it is large enough, I’d bang a couple of nails in it to hang tools (trowel, clippers, clothespin with gloves) and put it outside near a garden bed. If it isn’t big enough for that, I’d put it by my front door with a pad of paper and pencil attached. Maybe I’d even paint a picture inside!
Ooh, great ideas! Thanks for passing them along 🙂
Hi Diana, This is my first comment because I’m usually speechless from the way you share and inform with grace and humor in every blog! You’re my favorite by far!
So…….the last item, which you didn’t recognize, is the outside shelter of a roadside shrine! Very common in Europe with a Madonna or better, the local saint. One would stop and pray and perhaps leave some wild flowers you’d picked as you’d stilled to market or wherever! If I had it, I’d put an Easter bunny or a saints’ card, unless you have a real ceramic saint handy! Thanks again for all your tips and pointers!
Aww Rick, you’re making me blush!! I’m so glad you enjoy my blog–that really blesses my socks off. Thanks so much for the insight on my “roadside shrine”–who knew??
Great finds, Diana! I love that red wooden thing — I would definitely use it for a bird feeder. I never wold have guessed that that jar was such a collectible. I’m a sucker for china, too:)
Thanks Kathleen! Bird feeder seems to be the winning suggestion thus far 🙂
Oh, my favorite was the last one–the gallon pickle jar. My mother would let my brother and me catch huge black pollywogs and house them in a jar like that until they came close to becoming frogs at which time we had to put them back in the ice pond or brook! A great memory! Wouldn’t it be great to store small craft supplies–rolls of baker’s twine, embroidery floss, whatever! That house-shaped item reminded me very much of a small shrine. On a bus tour in Canada, houses very close to the sides of windy roads had these shrines on the corners of their houses to prevent vehicles from crashing into their houses (again!). The tour guide pointed them out! I have also seen a Hummel statue with a shrine like that with children on either side of it. Of course, you could always nail on a screen and turn it into a great birdfeeder! Enjoyed all your finds!
What sweet imagery of your younger self catching pollywogs in a big ole pickle jar with your brother 🙂 Yes, I think using it for craft storage is a great idea. Thanks for your insight on my “shrine,” and the birdfeeder suggestion (a very popular idea with other reades as well!).
Your jar is really a fabulous find! It would do well at my house. 🙂 I really like the candle snifter as well.
Glad you like my jar, Karen–I hope you find one of your own soon 🙂
Love the tool box! Perfect color! I thingk the piece below in is an old squirrel feeder which once had a little shelf to attach a dried corn ear on and let the squirrel perch to eat.
I agree about the color on that toolbox, Rose–it’s just awesome 🙂 I can totally see that my “house” could have been a squirrel feeder, or if not, I could certainly easily turn it into one!
Such great finds, Diana. I love the plates. I am purging so much stuff right now, but haven’t even touched my transferware other than one very large platter I took in to our booths. Those designs are just so wonderful..
I hear you about my plates, Rita; I haven’t been able to part with them yet 🙂 I’m trying to do some purging too…going better some weeks than others, LOL. Good luck with yours!
I think the little red structure would make a great diorama. An irregular stack of small books and wrapped boxes. Maybe an old toy truck with a bottlebrush tree in it, on top of the stack of boxes or books. Old ornaments could be hung staggered from the ceiling.
Ooh great idea, Jay–I like it!! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Great finds as always, Diana–love the lace! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Thanks Cecilia! Love your great party 🙂
I have 3 large tubs of old lace from the 40s thru the 60s. My kids keep wanting me to throw it away but I am keeping it. So lovely pieces. Thank you for all the good information the you post for us. You sure do find the best things.
Wow, Jan, what a treasure to have all that beautiful lace 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the post!