Sunday, July 19, 2009

Weekend Thrifty Treasures

I am participating in Today's Thrifty Treasures again, hosted by the fabulous Southern Hospitality. I love seeing what other people have found!

This weekend I attended approximately 12 estate sales, and probably that many garage sales. Everything I bought came from 3 fantastic sales, the rest were very disappointing.

I turned around for one second and someone was checking out my items - or maybe she just wanted to be in my blog (don't worry, she didn't come from the estate sales).
I found a few interesting vintage fabrics, including this one.
A pretty little Italian dish and a few English Johnson Bros. plates.
Another wine box, a charming light green depression glass dish, a silverplate wine coaster/chiller, a spoon with a pattern matching a previously found serving spoon, some tin pie plates, and a tin cup funnel to use when making preserves.
I sometimes am drawn to things, even though I have no idea what they are or what they are used for. Sometimes this ends up great, sometimes not. The above I bought without knowing what it was (along with the tray - but obviously I know what that is). It reminded me of an extra large salt cellar, with a scoop, and so pretty.
The scoop slides into a slot on the back. After a bit of research, I learned it was a Sugar Scuttle, probably from the 40's or 50's. It is very ornate and pretty, though a bit worn, which I don't mind. I love it. For me, this was a great find.
Now, for the not so great...
I found this at an estate sale. It started a conversation as to what it was between several people working and other shoppers. No one knew what it was, but one woman thought it might be used to hang pictures, or heavy mirrors. I wasn't convinced, but I bought it anyway.
When I was able to look with a magnifying glass, I saw that it was marked Noyes Bros & Cutler, which turned out to be a Pharmaceutical company in the Midwest, mid to late 1800's.
It also had a Caduceus (serpent and staff medical symbol) which was quite alarming to me, I am very squeamish.
I won't go into great detail, but needless to say, it was in fact used in the mid-to late 1800's as a certain surgical tool that performed more than one function. It now hangs out in the garage until I figure out what to do with it.
I may rethink my "buy if it is intriguing" policy.

Don't forget to check out Southern Hospitality for other Thrifty Treasures!

18 comments:

  1. Well, those are all interesting finds. Love the sugar scuttle and that blue vintage fabric is so pretty. HOpe you have somewhere to use it.

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  2. LOVE the vintage fabrics you found! The blue floral one is especially pretty. Any big plans for the fabric? I think they would make a great tablecloth! OOORRRR a great giveaway on your blog - haha!

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  3. Great finds. I love the fabric and the silver things are wonderful.
    Rhonda

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  4. i can't believe how you manage to find peacock things!!! the sugar shuttle is cute too. i want the cat though...how much? 2000.00....3000.00 just name the price!!!

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  5. Love the scoop in back! Lots of pretty things in your bounty!

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  6. A sugar scuttle! I've never heard of one, but it sure is pretty! Now that I know that that mystery thing is a surgical tool, it all of a sudden looks scary to me!

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  7. Oh I laughed out loud when I read your remark that you should rethink your buy if it is intriguing! All of your glassware and plate items are great. I love buying them- it is a weakness. I have a sugar scuttle, too, and love displaying it in a guest bedroom. Can't believe you made all those sales this week.
    :-) Sue

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  8. Ewww! The surgical thing is scary looking now!!! Love the sugar Scuttle (add me to the never heard of list) & the visiting kitty too.

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  9. Oh, I love your sugar scuttle. I've been bidding on them on eBay and so far no luck!

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  10. Haha...I can only guess what that tool was for. You could do a giveaway for THAT. ;) Visiting from Rhoda's party. :)

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  11. Great finds. Saw a sugar scuttle in a consignment store a few weeks ago - don't remember the price, but remember thinking it was a little pricey at the time.
    Glenda

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  12. Interesting finds...I love the green dish. Not sure if I could buy something that I didn't know what it was, but you never know when it will turn out to be a rare treasure!

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  13. The sugar scuttle is beautiful!

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  14. Love your finds! Love the sugar thing, so neat and the fabric is beautiful!

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  15. Just pretend it's something else. Maybe if you tell yourself enough, you will believe it!
    I love that beautiful blue fabric!

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  16. I got one of those sugar things too last week. I just couldn't figure it out, and sometimes that makes me buy! Glad to know what it is!

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