Speaking of Antiquing – April 2019

An “antique” is an item of value that is at least 100 years old. A “collectible” is termed vintage to reflect the era or decade from which it comes.

With the insurgence of reproduced antique and vintage items flooding the area, it feels like the “real thing” is being ignored, pushed aside, and abandoned in favor of shiny new ones.

On one hand the rareness of certain colors of enamelware make finding a particular mottled shade of blue almost impossible, and on the other, I understand how very tempting it is to get the shiny new pieces to fill the cupboards. The same goes for the red and white swirl pieces, the blue swirl, and the orange enamelware that even if found today would be age-worn and dinged up a bit, and to some, that is the beauty of it. Enamelware has been reproduced for several years now, and if you come across it at an estate sale you can tell the difference because of its weight primarily. The newer is made of a thinner metal, the enamel is thinner and doesn’t chip as easily as the old, (but that is part of the charm of the old.)

Not only is the enamelware huge on the repro list, but I came across a brand new dresser in a repro store that looked like mission oak that wasn’t even real wood! Items like these break my heart. Younger buyers are missing out on the “real deal.”

I see TV ads telling us we need to secure our furniture to the walls so if the kids go climbing on them, they won’t pull them down on top of themselves. How did we, as the boomer generation, ever survive? None of our parents had to secure the bureau to the wall because it was strong oak or mahogany wood that weighed a ton. Sometimes that piece of furniture had already gone through a generation or two.

The rustic look is in fashion and easily found as reproductions. Old sheet metal is really not. Are those garden buckets really galvanized? Watering cans come in beautiful, fun colors in vintage styles.

Mid-century modern is an era that is quite popular again. It spans the late 1940’s through mid 1960’s. Styles changed from the heavy oak and mahogany to a different wood that was chic and stylish. Teak and walnut created a unique sleek appearance. Many styles were derived from Danish designs that never really went out of style. I do not want to see those being reproduced on mass market as it would diminish the enduring “coolness” they possess.

Pottery reproductions are colorful and fun to use as they add charm and vibrancy, but they just can’t beat the old yellowware mixing bowls and the crock dough bowls.

I’ll bet you would be hard pressed to find a reproduced canister and cookie jar set in the shape of a mushroom that is as cool as the Retro ones from the 1970’s.

Stop by Pickety Place and see the real deal.