More ANTIQUE Shopping Tips w/ Personal RANTS about What I SEE

 Let's continue our tour through Sleepy Poet Antique mall in Charlotte, NC with me....just walking about and giving you some tips and pointers , and of course random rants....about what I see. Let me do a small personal rant about what designers, or people,  like to do with perfectly nice furniture to mess it up for future generations. Case in point above. Someone took a perfectly nice 1950-60's dining room set and painted it a lime green and white. Now I know that this look is in  the magazines, that it is considered very ' hip ' by many people. the problem, down through the years, when it is no longer ' hip ', then you are left with some goofy looking furniture . That happened starting in the 1960's when so many people ( including my mom ), painted oak and hardwoods sage green, avocado green, yellow, lime, orange ...lots of fruit colors. Then in the last 20 years, many people do the faux white finish , shabby-chic. That phase of decorating will pass too. Then your grandkids and great-grandkids are left with a bunch of painted white or painted lime green wood. I am not a 1960-70's furniture lover, I know some awful furniture for the general public was produced then...so if you want to destroy or change furniture from that time frame...that would be better than doing it to pre-1960's furniture. Wood is so beautiful , simply stained a natural color. It truly makes your surroundings calmer and more conducive for your artwork to display without competing with colored furniture.

I say, " Save natural wood furniture !!"

Rant over, for now..let's keep moving...I really liked this display of the old mannequin and her cap and earmuffs.

 This dealer, below, is moving to Manhattan, per her sign. In her booth is many 1940-50's Rococo inspired furniture that she or someone she bought it from...

PAINTED OVER WITH SILVER AND BEIGE PAINTS !!!!! 

 

 From what I have seen at antique shows, and shops, this is a big no-no, if it had been left the original finish, whether that be natural wood color or the original faux beige, it would be worth twice as much or more of whatever it would be priced.

Look what I saw, a little 1950-60's cardboard snow village house. Only 4.00. I did not get it as I have enough. I did buy a large church in Charleston a few weeks back though to go with my village.My youngest son was very pleased with that.

I liked these two religious prints, housed in homemade horseshoe glitter encrusted frames. Do not know if this was prison art ( men in penitentiaries made a lot of folk-art when they were confined 1930-60's ), and it is collectible now. Lots was religious ( Christian typically, lots specifically Catholic ), or if these were made from a person who was religious for their home back in the 1940-50's time frame. I was amused that someone was hedging all their bets by displaying religious images AND the ' lucky ' horseshoe frame to give them extra protection .

You don't need luck if you have God on your side.

They were not expensive, I grabbed them up.

 A nice picture frame below that someone repainted with too garish a gold color. Please try to use antique gold and painting it on instead of spraying the frame, is advisable.

I believe the outer molding of this frame is original finish, while the decorative gesso has been touched up with too bright a gold.

It appears someone touched up the center decorative gesso and the surround is the original gold finish, or re-painted in the last 10-15 years. NO SPRAY PAINTING antique picture frames. It destroys their value. ( and by the way, Ms. Smarty-pants here has done that a few times in the past and learned that lesson the hard way ). Either touch them up with antique gold paint by hand , or leave them as is.

Aha! Case in point to show the difference in painted or left with original antique finish picture frames. All are 1920-30's frames. to the left , original finish, to the right painted white and for the future, value declines exponentially.

Again, I do know it is a personal choice...just trying to help all the furniture I can for future generations here.
Let me show you a new  decorator painting, they sell these in stores like Pier One, target, Bed bath and Beyond, etc. They are machine painted on canvas...

 You can see that , by no roughness to the canvas at the front, and the sides here, a STRAIGHT line across, and original painting would have little uneven lines, and stray brush strokes. If you turn there , unframed paintings and examine the edges, you can see this. Perfectly straight all around. That means it is machine produced.

 Now by the way, these are fine, alot of people like these in their homes, and the price was 40.00, so fair. Young people, particularly like these, and they use them to decorate their new homes and apartments. Hopefully, they will be able to buy original paintings, produced by actual people...for a bit more in price, down the road.

Remember, the backs of anything ( art ) new is usually a bright white, or may have a fake-looking tan or brown paint wash.

 This little PRINT almost fooled me,as it is printed on textured canvas, but the sides , when you flip it, are a straight line across and no raised paint on front. I could not get a good enough picture of the sides, always came out totally white, thanks to my pesky flash.

I smiled when I saw this flimsy, sheer, 1960-70's short negligee...as it made me immediately remember that my grandmother always gave my mom one of these, all colors...always flirty and short...for her anniversaries or Christmas.  My mother was always embarrassed and did not like them. My mom had drawers full of these, and you know what she did with them ? For some reason, she gave them to me and my sister when we went to college. I thought they were very fun, my sister never liked them...but I would not recommend any mom give their daughters negligees when they go to college !!!!

Negligee plus mom rant.

Moving on...

Below is a chalkware ( plaster ) Art Nouveau statue or bust that is in terrible condition. I have bought many of these, they are copies of the bronze statues, and usually have the signature of the artist , molded into the base at the sides. They are not signed by the artist, simply the manufacturer is showing they are really a copy of that artist work. I am showing you this one, because it would be crazy to buy one in this condition. They are made of plaster, breaks when you glance at it, and cannot be repaired , some areas can be painted over...but not repaired. I would say pass on one of these, late 1800's-early 1900's statues unless they are less damaged. Oh ! Some people also spray paint these over , all one color, that decreases their value tremendously. I recall paying around 45.-95.00 for one of these in good condition ( minor chips and breaks ). They will never be in very good or perfection condition, due to the fragile nature of chalkware. If you want one  in perfect or excellent condition, then go find one of the original bronze statues these were copied from and pay 450.-600.  or so.

eBay probably has some, just type in Art Nouveau busts or Art Nouveau original statues. Ask the dealer if they are repro or originals, and check the seller's feedback before you buy.

Or go hunting in antique malls like me.

 Lots of shabby chic booths in this great antique mall. I will not say one word about the two benches on the table below, painted white.

I couldn't say one word anyway, it would be more like 10 or 20 words.

 Now lookee here folks. Down below, I found a beautiful original 1920-30's art deco bedroom set that has it's ORIGINAL finish with carved  accents. No new white paint on this,no painted over pink or lavender either. I have seen this set before in plain wood finish with the carved accents ( the flowers, swags, fruit in the front and center areas ) painted colors. These accents are called barbola when they are made of plaster to mimic the carved-wood look here. Barbola is mainly on mirrors, and home accents pieces, not so much on furniture as it is easily broken and chipped. I am telling you that as often this French style of furniture, is called a bedroom set with barbola. That is very popular , people who decorate with the Victorian style particularity love anything that has barbola accents.

This is a great find for someone. Dresser,  two beds and nightstand. I forgot to look at the price as I had the cutest young girl, about 11 years old, blond hair.... watching me take these pictures. She was shopping with her mom, and when I smiled at her and passed them, her mom hugged her and spoke to her, she absentmindedly stroked her daughter's hair. 
I kept walking, wondering if the mother understands how precious that moment was between the two.
To be able to physically hug or hold your children is one of the biggest gifts God affords us.

This is too long, I have more pictures, mainly art to show in my last installment of this trip,

many blessings,

Gina

My Favorite ANTIQUE Mall--Sleepy POET in Charlotte, NC--Part 1

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I took a trip up to Charlotte , North Carolina last week to my very favorite antique mall/hunting grounds...the Sleepy Poet Antique mall. I went by myself, I did not have my 9 year old associate with me, as he had school. This mall is so big, that it is really too much for him to handle,

which means it is perfect for me.

I got on the road, I had a 1 1/2 hour drive, nice scenery , listening to sappy country love songs with no complaints from anyone .

 The colors on the trees have already been turning here, as you can see, as this is heading UP, towards the mountains if I went another 3 hours North. Can't do that, need to be back in time to pick up my son from school. But, I do have a stop that I make everytime on the way up here...

 Hardees...for a unhealthy, but delicious sausage and egg biscuit to go. 

I make it a tad bit less un-healthy by removing one of the biscuit pieces, squeezing out some of the sausage grease on a napkin, and then re-assembling it like this...

Have to have something extra, as I already had breakfast earlier...but this will help tide me over some hunger for the 3 to 3 1/2 hours I walk through this mall.

And I am fast, the average shopper could be in here the entire day and come back the next day to finish . Back on the road, not far now.

 Now I find Woodlawn exit off of 1-77 and I will be there in no time at all.

We are here...that is you and me. This mall is HUGE , 55.000 Square feet ! I have always liked this mall since I discovered it about 5 years ago. The owners are nice, the staff is very helpful and fun , the mall is clean and well -lit ...and treasures can be found daily.
Let's go in...

I am lucky that after a few trips here, I can find my way around very easily...but if you are new to this mall...expect to get lost in it. Eventually you will find your way to the the front again.
You can get popcorn up front , to snack on while you shop too. My husband comes here with me when he can, and he loves the popcorn.
I think he comes with me mainly to eat free popcorn.

I am also lucky that since I sell antique artwork, or try to , I am a professional shopper..meaning I am not distracted by everything and anything that I see...which is hard for most people when they come here. I am looking for antique and vintage paintings and prints, old original picture frames, and occasionally something else may catch my eye.  Like this...

A gorgeous brass antique doorknocker, BUT...way too high at 95.00 for me to consider for resale. So, pass...

I love this vintage dog portrait, but it has a bow  in the frame , and it is too high for resale to sell without the frame. This would be perfect though, for a person buying for themselves.

I did buy this small Marine 1940's painting, oil on board , nice hobbyist painting,  very good price, will list this soon on eBay. Scored.

I check out vintage trophies to sell, but they are usually a bit too high, running between 65.00-165.00 usually. Make sure if you ever want to resale these, DO NOT polish them, before you sell them . It diminishes the value of them if you do. Collectors like the patina with age, and if they want to polish them, they will themselves. Learned that lesson the hard way.

I looked up , as you have to look everywhere in this place..and saw this interesting kitschy deco statue of some sort on a high shelf. I took it down and considered it, flipped it over...looked again...

Decided against it, for resale , as the guy grabbing the woman's hair , the top of his feather headdress has been broken and re-glued on. If it was not, I would have bought it. Broken and re -glued , do not sell as much online ..so pass on this too.
Like it though.

Wanted to show what I do NOT sell, and what I would not suggest anyone buy...if they can help it. That is a NEW repro decorator painting like this one. There are too may actual antique paintings out there to spend your big bucks on one of these instead. I do know that some people buy them for their businesses, etc. I also know that many people do not know the difference between a new repro painting or a even a giclee' ( a print that is painted over to mimic look of a painting ) and an actual original oil painting. I wish I could take each of you shopping and teach you the difference. I will try to do a entry explaining that soon.
The painting to the far left of the large repro is a small antique oil.

Here is one of those late 1800's-before 1915 pyrographic frames, that were made by burning  ( pyro-fire )the wood with special tools to make designs such as flowers, people's faces, decorations in the wood. I believe this one was 65.00, too high for resale.
Pass.

 I liked this antique screened painting on linen , they made these with a process that is similar to silk screening prints, but did it with paint, on tapestry type material. They are usually large, and not as valuable as an actual original oil painting. She had this one for almost 400.+, so I passed.

Here is a Italian Florentine ( gold painted wood ), that I looked at with my beautiful oldest daughter a few weeks ago up here. I was very fortunate she had the time to come with me, she is very busy as a new attorney , and she has just bought a new house. She likes the Italian Florentine furniture and mirrors, but this was almost 600.00+...too much for either of us to get. I am giving her some Florentine tables that I already have though at home.
Daughter scored with mom here.

Two paintings, oil on canvas, I considered. Price was right, but they just didn't float my boat enough. the one to the right is a study of an Old Master's style painting. May reconsider them if I see them again up here.

Lovely antique picture frame, but these are harder to sell with the oval ( instead of square  or rectangular ) inserts for art. People will buy these to make mirrors out of though. 
Pass.

One of my favorite sayings, but priced about 35.00, too much for me personally , I'm very thrifty when it comes to buying myself something.

Almost bought myself this vintage love poetry book, but it was 6.00 , and like I said ,if I find old books for usually 4.00 or less, I get them. I forgot about this book after I set it down, I probably would have gotten it if I had carried it with me. I had car keys, camera,  a magnifying glass, cell phone...reader glasses...I was loaded down in there.
Too much.

I did buy this small French vintage cityscape. It was a canvas, under wrapping , but it was vintage. Good price.
Scored.

I passed on this antique watercolor of a cottage and gardens, I love these, BUT...too much foxing ( brown splotches ) in paper for resale. I think it was about 45.00. Again, not a bad price for the average buyer for themselves. Circa early 1900's.

Close up  of foxing . These can be removed only from a professional restorer, and it is pricey to do so. Caused by high humidity and or water damage.

I enjoy finding stacks of paintings like this...unfortunately...none worked out for resale. Price was good, quality and condition were not so good.
Pass.

Very old oil portrait, but these do not usually sell well for me. The man is not handsome enough, very staid. Plus it was 1200.00. 
Passed fast.

I have seen this painting up here for over a month, beautiful gilt frame, but it is about 400.00 , so too much for resale.
Pass.

One of my favorite booths here, but it is usually a jumbled crazy mess. So I have to get myself in full huntress mode to delve in here.
Then I plunged in. 

Looked about VERY carefully, and then spotted this little painting behind all this jumble of chairs. Can you see it ? I had to go to the booth behind here, and reach through the chairs and grab it off the wall from the side.

Beautiful, very well done vintage seascape, in good condition. Signed lower left, will take it out of this ugly plain , newer frame and list it.
Scored.


Good gracious , this entry is way too long already. Will do Part 2 of this tomorrow or the next day. Be sure to check back, more good finds I want to show you. Oh, here is the website for the mall:
http://sleepypoetstuff.com/index.html


take care,
Gina