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.