1.12.2011

vintage finds wednesday...

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. " -Aristotle

As I've said before, my favorite part of a room is always the artwork.  I love orginal pieces, whether they be a child's drawing, an old love note, a weathered piece of metal or a masterpiece.  I think the things we display in our homes should speak to our souls, make us laugh, inspire us or remind us - not match the sofa.  I've always been drawn to portraits, architecture and maps in art and some of my favorites are etchings, woodcuts and the like.  I don't know why I have an aversion to color, perhaps I'm already kind of a hyper person so I like to surround myself with things that soothe.

Onto the finds.  While at the same auction where I picked up the score of silver I told you about last week, there was an abundance of vintage art.  I was there to buy jewelry of course but some of these old pieces were going unclaimed and I gave a bid for $5 here and $8 there on the few that spoke to me simply because I couldn't imagine them being left unloved (Andrew Henry just shrugs heaven bless the poor man).



They look something like this when I buy them - a great old etching of Central Park (I was probably drawn to it because of our trip last year)...


a sweet pair of original watercolors from 1925 (not my usual medium of choice)...


then we got some frames from Ikea and Andrew Henry cut me some custom mats...


and a new grouping starts to take shape in my dining room (still missing one)...


This one is my favorite and nobody wanted it!  My receipt actually said "dreary etching $10".  I don't think it's dreary at all but I suppose beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.


While I paid under $10 for all of them (there are more), sometimes more like $2, the few I've researched so far are worth hundreds - that makes these vintage finds quite the score this week!

33 comments:

Joyti said...

The sketches ARE lovely, not 'dreary'.
Hope you're enjoying this new year so far :)

Diana Mieczan said...

You always find the most amazing stuff...I love them and they look stunning in those frames:) Well done, my dear
Kisses and enjoy your day

ps: I am hosting a sweet necklace GIVEAWAY, later today :) ... Please, join in!

Kellie Collis said...

It looks a lot more beautiful after changing the frame! What gorgeous finds! Have a lovely day, Kellie xx

Maria said...

I LOVE these! Especially the water colors. And that "dreary" etching - to me it looks like a lovely old cabin in winter, atop a hill that overlooks some wonderful valley. I can just see in another season - it's tucked under a beautiful shade tree, probably gets surrounded by daffodils in spring - and that valley - is probably awash with sunshine and bursting with wildflowers! I'd live there and love every second of it! (so would my boys)

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

These are beautiful, Jeanette and right within my own budget :) Stop by when you get the chance, I've nominated you for the Stylish Blogger Award!!

KR said...

I love your art collection! I do like color but I have quite an eclectic mix.
The re-framing gives new life to the pieces, good job AH.

Silver Strands said...

I'd love to spend a day with you Jeanette. Or maybe just wander through your home.
Great post!
oxoxo
Denalee

OneCraftyFox said...

I think they are all beautiful, and the last is not dreary at all :)

I am giving you the Stylish Blogger Award, I just posted it today :)

xoxo

bronwyn said...

Love the "dreary" etching! It's my favorite too. There is a bit of melancholy about it, but I like that. It looks quiet and thoughtful. It's really lovely. What a score!

MJM said...

They are beautiful. If you ever need some sort of specific piece, ask my mom. She'll find you something perfect, and I assure you it WILL be a great bargain!

Jillian said...

Those water colors are gorgeous. I admire good water colors, it can be a difficult medium to work with.

koralee said...

Wow...great finds...love the sketches. Happy day to you. xox

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Thanks baby but you know I did learn from the master - Gram can find anything for a bargain.

angryparsnip said...

I am so amazed by what you find. I never would expect anywhere in Arizona has such a treasure trove of great finds. Loved the silver find from last week.

cheers, parsnip

k said...

you comment made me happy :) And I LOVE your finds...lucky girl. I found the neatest drawing of a swiss town at one of our second hand stores in a red frame. Definitely bought it!

Abby said...

What great finds, and at such a price!! I love those water colors.

Andrew H. said...

My wife certainly has the eye for artwork (and bargains). Me; not so much...

I'm happy in my role of framer.

Nice job capturing the transformation.

Nicole said...

deals like that are amazing! Great eye!!!

jandjhome said...

I love the vintage finds. Those sketches looks beautiful. I just found your blog today.

Julie Smith said...

The prints are beautiful and I just love how they are matted and displayed together. What a great find.

vintch said...

oh i just LOVE finding vintage artwork when I go thrifting..I always feel like I'm getting such a steal! Yours looks so, so lovely in their new frames! I just bought a pair of original floral oil paintings with a date of 1966 painted in the corner. They are just darling, all for a total of $6. can't beat it!

quintessence said...

How fabulous - what great finds. I love etchings and they look great up. Love that it's a family affair and that your in-the-family framer left you a comment!!

Tanya (a Taste of T) said...

Wow such treasurers! Great finds!

Anonymous said...

Love the Central Park sketch... Central Park is just so very cool! xo

pamela said...

i love the dreary! great finds. especially fun to find their worth or the history behind it.

Punctuation Mark said...

i love vintage stuff and those are a great find... congrats!

Stacey said...

One man's trash is another's treasure-you've proven that over and over again with your finds! Andrew Henry is quite handy too, isn't he? They look beautiful in the frames. XX

lisaroy said...

these are great - what an amazing find and they look great grouped together in those black frames :)

Cindy said...

Great finds! The so called "dreary" etching is beautiful. I look at it and instantly see myself walking barefoot up the little dirt path. How fun it would be to explore that old house. :)

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

These are lovely finds, Jeanette, we can never have enough sketches, can we. There's always a spot to find to hang these lovelies! xxxx

Decor To Adore said...

Hey Jeanette,

I am thinking about organizing a blogging luncheon in March or April to celebrate R.W.W. Perhaps at a tea house. Really do it over the top~ Have everyone dress like they are attending the royal wedding, prizes for the best hat....hmmm my mind is whirling.

What do you think?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work, I lake it!
Kisses from Croatia.

shopgirl said...

Fantastic work Jeanette! They look fabulous and classy!