Cast Iron Garden Furniture

Hello Friends and Readers:

I'm writing this week to tell you about my vintage cast iron garden furniture collection.  Most of which was picked up at various flea markets.

I read somewhere once that "you don't start collections, collections start you." I can certainly attest to that.  My Wedgewood collection began with the simple purchase of a Wedgewood floor lamp at a yard sale.  Now I have about thirty pieces of it.

During my flea market treasure hunts, I'm normally drawn to vendors who have vintage or antique items.  Still, there are many vendors who typically sell new merchandise, who may often surprise you by having an antique or vintage piece in their booth.  Therefore, you can't rule them out when you're out hunting for unique pieces.

Such was the case when I spotted my first piece of vintage cast iron garden furniture.  It was a bench made of leaf and grape design.  It was the only old looking piece in that particular vendors entire booth.

My first thought was that it would look romantic sitting in a little private area on my front lawn.  Yet from a distance, the bench appeared to have some condition issues.  When I took a closer look however, the only issues were that the white paint on it was worn and flaky and there were some areas of rust.

I must admit that the condition of the bench did turn me off a bit.  I usually try to buy pieces that require little to no work.  Still, I could see that there were some good bones left in the bench, so I figured I'd take a chance on it.

My husband and I took it home and made a small restoration project of it.  We used steel wool and sand paper to get rid of the rust and to smooth down the flaky paint.  Once that was done, we wiped the bench down and re-painted it white.  The piece turned out beautiful.

Needless to say, this was the beginning of my love affair with vintage cast iron garden furniture.  Since the purcahse of that piece, I've amassed quite a unique collection.

Vintage Cast Iron Wrap Around Tree Bench

I've seen garden furniture similar to my piece in some of the old Turner Classic Movies that I watch.  I get excited whenever I see a garden piece like mine in a scene of an old movie.

After researching antique and vintage cast iron garden furniture, I've learned that cast iron outdoor furniture was at it's height in popularity between 1850-1890.  A passion for gardens during the Victorian era had created a demand for cast iron outdoor furniture during that time.  Many of the orignal pieces still exist today.

Why not start your own collection of vintage cast iron garden furnture?  Write back and tell me all about it.

Vintage Cast Iron Love Seat, Chairs & Table 

Wooden Carved Figural Pedestal

Hello Friends and Readers:

A few years back, I went antiquing at a shop in Haddonfield, New Jersey.  While there, I spotted a lovely carved wooden figural pedestal of a lady, standing along side the front counter.

What impressed me most about the pedestal was the exquisite carving of the lady's flowing hair and the elegant carving of the dress she was wearing.  I had never seen a wooden pedestal like it before.

The price was reasonable, so I purchased it not knowing at the time, exactly how or where it would be used in my home. Yet, in the back of my mind I thought, there's always a place in the house to stick a small piece.

For the past four years now, that particular pedestal has been sitting in the foyer of my house, holding a vintage lamp that once belonged to my late sister in law.  She would be pleased to know how well my carved lady pedestal, compliments her small vintage lamp.

Wooden Carved Figural Pedestal 

That being said, the pedestal pictured in this weeks blog, is not that pedestal.  But rather a similar one that I purchased at the Columbus Flea Market, appoximately one year after purchasing the lady pedestal at the antiques shop in Haddonfiled, New Jersey.

The difference in the two, is that the pedestal (pictured) found at the flea market, is that of a man (rather than a woman) holding a tulip shaped cornice that supports a bakelite ashtray and matchbox holder.  I often wondered if the ashtray and matchbox holder were missing from the pedestal found at the antiques shop.

The pedestals are solid mahogany and have an Art Noveau style.  But, the male pedestal/ashtray found at the flea market, is bare chest and wearing a flowing lower garment.  I feel very fortunate to have found both of these treasures.

If you want to find unique quality pieces at the flea market (like the pedestal pictured), you must arrive very early.  A day at the flea market actually starts way before the crowds arrive.  I must remind you that the dealers (some antique) are usually at the flea market before dawn picking through all the other tables, looking for items to resell at a much higher price.

So, take my advise and get to the flea market early before the dealers, to experience the fun and excitement of finding that perfect unique piece that you've been searching for.

Please share some of your unique flea market finds and experiences with me.

Antique Rorstrand Majolica Pedestal, Late 19th Century

Hello Friends and Readers:

I've had another successful day at the flea market and I wasn't actually there to make the purchase.

Since I have a regular "9 to 5," I'm unable to go to one of my favorite flea markets, which is held on Thursdays.  But, I'm blessed to have a husband who loves flea marketing as much as I do. So, he goes to the flea market on Thursdays to treasure hunt for me.

When he finds a piece that he believes will strike my fancy, he takes pictures of it, sends it to me via email, text or both, then follows up with a phone call.  Which is exactly what he did last Thursday, when he ran into this incredible piece at the Columbus Flea Market.  Thank God for Technology.

I was at work when I received a picture from my husband of one of the most beautiful porcelain pedestals that I had ever seen.  Just from the picture, I could tell that the piece had quality and history.  One of the pictures he sent me was of the underside of the base of the pedestal, which was signed  "Made in Sweden, Rorstrand."

My husband had found an antique Rorstrand majolica pedestal.  The colors on the piece are magnificent and it has no cracks or chips.

Turns out, Rorstrand was a company established near Stockholm, Sweden in 1726 and by the 19th century, they were making china, porcelain and other items inculding majolica.  Our piece (pictured) dates to around the late 19th century.

I'd love to know the history of the pedestal and the generations it must have passed through.  However, the owner only said that it had been in her family for a long time.  She was there (at the flea market) just for the day to "get rid of some things."

Needless to say, I'm glad that she was ready to pass this beautiful unique pedestal on, and that my husband was at the flea market early enough to be the fortunate buyer.

If you want to find antiques, collectibles, and unique pieces at the flea market, you have to arrive at the crack of dawn with a flash light.  If not, the regular vendors will beat you to the seller who is just there for the day to "get rid of some things."  Then they (the regular vendors) will in turn, sell it to you later at a much higher premium.

Please write back and share some of your exciting flea market finds with me.

Vintage Bronze Fisherman Wall Lighter

I’m very excited about this unique vintage item found at a flea market in Medford New Jersey for just $5.00.  When I saw it, I had no idea what it was, but learned from the vendor that it was an old fisherman wall mount cigar/cigarette lighter.  The fisherman had a  pipe in his mouth and a button on his chin. 

What drew my attention to it initially was the quality and uniqueness of the piece.  I had never seen anything like it during any of my flea market travels before.

The seller did not seem to know much about the lighter except that, she didn’t know whether it worked or not.  In flea market world, that usually means that it doesn’t.

Since I don’t smoke anyway, the fact that it didn’t work had no sway on my decision to purchase it.

The old fisherman’s face was beautifully detailed.  My thought was that it would make a great wall art piece in my foyer.

I could see by the cord and bronze patina, that the lighter had some age to it and I couldn’t wait to go home to research the piece.

You won’t believe what happened then.  During my research, I found one like it in working condition, listed on Ebay for $500.00.  That particular seller dated it to around the 1920-s. 

Not only that, there was a different person selling two heating elements for this particular type of lighter and was only asking $20.00 for both. Needless to say, I purchased them.

After inserting one of the heating elements in the fisherman’s pipe, I pushed the button on his chin. Suddenly, his eyes lit up and his electric pipe got hot.  You can imagine how excited this made me.

In the end, I spent a total of $25.00 for a unique vintage bronze fisherman wall mount cigar/cigarette lighter, that turned out to be one of my favorite flea market finds.

Please share some of your favorite and unique flea market finds with me.  

Unique Flea Market Finds

I love spending my weekends at the flea market.  Flea markets tell beautiful stories of an era gone by.  Many flea markets are filled with unique treasures that are key in building an admirable collection.

My interest in antiques, collectibles, memorabilia, and vintage items began several years ago when my husband and I went to an auction with an old friend who owned an antiques shop. 

That day, he showed us around the auction house and gave us an education in how to tell the difference in high quality items (mainly furniture) from items that he called junk. 

I never forget him saying “just because an item is old, doesn’t mean that it’s high in quality.  Some things made years ago was junk then, and it’s just old junk today.”

Although I didn’t know it at the time, that day at the auction would revolutionize the way that I would shop forever.

The decline of quality consumer goods in our country over the years, also convinced me that it was time to start searching for solid pieces, that had been discarded by previous owners.  I shared my thoughts with a friend, who explained that flea markets were the perfect place to begin my search, because they have just about everything one could imagine.

He was right. However, I learned that searching for that special piece required patience.  Still in the end, the satisfaction of finding a special piece is well worth the time. 

Many people have the misconception that only people who can’t afford new things, shop at flea markets.  But, it’s often quite the contrary.

I recently read online about several celebrities (actors, actresses, rock stars, supermodels, fashion designers, etc.), who were spotted treasure hunting at the popular Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena California. These are people who can afford just about anything they want.  Still, they often choose to search for that unique quality piece at a flea market.  

In this blog, I’d like to discuss my unique flea market finds with others who have experienced the type of excitement that I have, when they’ve not only found that special piece they’ve been searching for, but found it at a bargain price.

Let’s share our beautiful and exciting stories, about the unique pieces we find on our flea market adventures.  A selected few of my favorite flea market finds are below.

Antique Hall Rack/Stand  found at Columbus Flea Market 

Wedgewood pieces found at Berlin Flea Market

Wooden Figural Floor Stand (complete with bakelite ashtray and box of matches) found at Columbus Flea Market

Victorian Clock found at a flea market in Woodbury NJ

Vintage stained glass - One of a pair found at Mullica Hill Flea Market