A Vintage Art Collection
[Updated 8.22]
Today I’m sharing one of my personal collections of vintage art. One of the many hats I’ve worn in the past is art teacher, so I really can’t get enough of it.
I like all styles, but most of what I have displayed in my house falls into the traditional category, and I love it all.
In addition to sharing the price I paid for each piece, I’m also including my opinion regarding its retail value.
This is based on my experience buying and selling artwork via both my antique booth (25+ years) and Facebook Marketplace (3+ years). Enjoy!
Before we jump right in, you may be interested in this video about some of my vintage art finds. Enjoy!
Vintage Art: Oil Paintings
This pretty still life, not vintage but with vintage subject matter, hangs in our upstairs hallway.
I purchased it from a fellow dealer about ten years ago for $20.00 (retail: $125-150), and I’m still very happy with it. The daughter of this local artist (Scilipute) is another antique dealer friend of mine.
Here’s an impressionistic still life hanging in our master bedroom that I call “Ironstone & Violets.” I picked it up at a garage sale for $10.00 (retail: $45-55).
It works perfectly in our MBR, which has dark lavender walls and mossy green carpeting.
I call this one “Cabin in the Woods” (c.1960’s). A favorite of mine, it cost $5.00 (retail: $75-85) at a recent estate sale and hangs in our office. Love.
This large piece, signed M. Emmett also hangs in the office. I picked it up so long ago I can’t remember what I paid for it. I call it “Walk Through Autumn Woods” and would price it at $350 if selling.
Everything about it is perfection to me: the pale blue sky, the tree colors, the shadows on the path. The composition is just right; the path draws the viewer right into the center where you can almost hear the rustling of the leaves and feel the cool breeze.
Vintage Art: Watercolors
Also in the master bedroom, is this lovely watercolor, purchased in Pittsburgh at a flea market for $15.00 (retail $40-50).
Nothing prettier than flowers against a white picket fence, especially one of my favorites: lilacs.
Vintage Art: Prints on Board
This 1970’s print on board of art from Pompeii that survived Mt. Vesuvius’ eruption, added a bit of class to our master bathrooom for a mere $10 (retail: $35-40).
She’s called “Spring,” and her beautiful sea green background determined the accent color in this room.
This lovely Victorian era lady also hangs in our upstairs hallway. Alas, she is but a print on heavy board.
I splurged on her several years ago, paying all of $14.00 (retail: $25-30), because I loved the colors of the piece and her expression. A bit enigmatic, like the Mona Lisa, wouldn’t you say?
Vintage Print on Canvas
This high quality folk art-y print on board also hangs in our office. I picked up at a garage sale for $20 ($75-100).
A tag attached to the back indicates that it was sold via a PBS auction for $229.
Related: What is Folk Art? An Antique guide
Vintage Art: Stained Glass
Hanging between our family and living rooms you can find this sweet stained glass window (c.1930’s).
I purchased at an antique shop in Ashbourne (England) for £30/$45 (retail: $75-85).
Moving onto our guest room, visitors find some shabby chic decor, including this stained glass mirror, another garage sale steal for just $2.00 (retail: $20-25).
Antique Framed Mirror
Over the queen bed, hangs this ornate, shabby chic mirror that I purchased from a fellow dealer years ago for $22 (retail $45-55).
Mirrors, especially one like this that required special skill to design and create, definitely falls into the wall art category for me.
Here’s an example of a different mirror that received a transformative makeover and now graces our living room mantel.
Vintage Poster
This poster of the iconic Pont Neuf in Paris (c.1970’s) came from a car boot sale in England and cost me all of £2/$3 (retail: $25-30). It hangs in our modern-styled family room.
Side Note: While living in England we spent a week in Paris and walked across this bridge–the oldest one spanning the River Seine 🙂
Children’s Artwork: Priceless
My children have produced some of my absolute favorite pieces of artwork, like this pastel of a wolf howling at the moon by my sweet son.
And this group of singing angels by my sweet daughter 🙂 There’s nothing like seeing your children’s artwork hanging on the wall to bring a smile to your face, especially on a hard day (value: priceless).
If you’re an art lover, then don’t forget to check out this art-filled video!
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Love to see artwork from children…I have many that my children have created over the years! The best!! Thanks for sharing!!
I love your collection, Diana. It’s one of my collections, too…and I also love adding family made art!
Thanks for sharing. How’s this? Five brit pounds for painting of durham castle that cost 40 pounds to mail back to US……no wonder I love it so!!!!! Your collection warms my heart especially your son’s wolf howling at the moon…so expressive….cheerio..MJ
I really enjoyed seeing all your art work. I follow you daily as I truly enjoy your blog. You art collection is similar to mine, being: Art is in the Eye of the Beholder.
Beautiful collection of art … a great variety.
You have some very nice artwork. I love the idea of framing children’s art! That is so cool!
Lovely art! We like to fill our walls with art too. As a teacher, I displayed children’s art in frames out in the hallway. So important to recognize the value of art! Thanks for sharing this post.
So nice to take the tour of your collection. So true that children’s art work is absolutely priceless.
Your lovely blue walls are almost as pretty as the paintings.
I think my favorite is the Cabin in the Woods. Thanks for sharing your beautiful collection at Talk of the Town.
Very nice! I love vintage art also and display it throughout my home. My favorite of yours is Cabin in the Woods also. Anything “trees” or “architecture” seems to appeal to me.
You have indeed found some treasures. In one of my outtings I found a painting of Santa and hung it in full sight in the living room. I’m sure it was done by a child..no name..but I love it! I also found 2 Fiesta luncheon plates which started my collection. Its a small collection but enough when company comes for dinner. I love the thrill of finding a treasure!
This has given me a newfound sense of confidence in trusting what I like, both in art and frames! Has been a long time coming, I turn 65 next week. Absolutely loved your collection. Thank you!
While vacationing in the Smokey Mountains My husband and I stopped by a very talented local artist ‘s studio and bought a huge print of one of his paintings. I took it home and it stayed in it’s protective cardboard for well over 10 years. We just never got around to getting it framed.
So one day, I decided it was time so we went to Hobby Lobby and was quoted $350.00 to frame it(!). I went to Goodwill and saw that they had some pretty nice framed art for sale. It dawned on me to look for one in the size I needed and I found a floral print that had been professionally framed in an elaborate gold-carved “real wood” frame. I bought it for $17.00 and even got to use the matte that came with it. I felt so good!!
This is Cindy Moss again. I forgot to say that i also found some black modern frames that had double glass that holds a picture with no back. you just see right through,. They have sliders to hold the glass panes in place.
They look very expensive and I paid maybe $10.00 a piece for 4 that I grouped together to display old US and confederate currency replicas printed on parchment. they look so nice in those goodwill frames!
Great idea Cindy! Thanks for sharing it with us–I bet your “gallery wall” looks fantastic 🙂
Such a great way to find quality frames Cindy! Sounds like you found the perfect frame for your art–great job 🙂
How have I missed this one? I really enjoyed seeing your treasures; I love lilacs, too. I have recently collected 3 paintings/prints of white birch trees (NH’s state tree, my home state) that I want to group on the living room wall. My bathroom is covered with Monet prints in various sizes; I do love an Impressionist picture! My cellar stairwell is a “Rogue’s Gallery of family pictures!