I have been attending quite a few estate sales lately
and been having great luck.
Oh sometimes it can be truly a bust, but recently I have done well.
Take for example this treasured find:
I spotted this piece in the gallery of photos of the estate sale promotion.
It looked like an ironstone piece, but could not tell for sure from this photo on-line.
As I entered the home, I could see many wonderful antique pieces including step back cupboards,
tall desks, many antique chairs . . . . a truly incredible collection of the former owners.
Then I found that piece that I was spying in the estate gallery of photos.
It was in the exact place of the photo.
I quickly got on my knees!
I carefully turned over this rather heavy piece and bingo!!
It was a J & G Meakin stamped piece.
The piece was rather soiled and there was a large hairline crack on the bottom.
I do think that many of the pieces were stored in the former owner’s barn.
The price on this piece was $50 . . . I was not sure if I wanted to pay $50 for a piece that
had a crack on the bottom . . . however, there is not a chip on this piece!
I placed it back under the desk.
Yes, that’s right . . . I walked away.
I picked up a couple little pieces of ironstone and a small double candlestick lamp.
Yes, you read that right . . . I walked away.
When I was ready to finalized my purchases I spoke to the auctioneer about the ironstone piece.
She confirmed it was a foot bath. An old piece . . . and the cracks were in the glazing
and did not compromise the piece.
I asked if they discounted. (I always do) . . . She said only after 12 Noon the next day
and only 30% (where most estate sales discount 50% on the last day).
I returned the next day, bright and early. The foot bath was there as I left it!
My hubby helped me closely inspect the hairline cracks on the bottom,
brushing away the layers of dust and dirt.
He said that the cracks were in the glazing and the piece looked and sounded pretty stable.
My hubby carried it to the checkout desk and the auctioneer gave me another 10% off.
So grand total for the Ironstone Foot Bath was $30.00 ~ Score!
I gave it a good cleaning with soap and bleach and the crack actually lightened!
And now this piece is living happily ever after.
I toted that piece around the house and it landed on the buffet as I can see it more often!
I debated and experimented with many things to place in the foot bath
and I remembered I had purchased a preserved boxwood wreath from Decor Steals.
I carefully secured it in the foot bath and love it as a sort of topiary. LOVE topiaries!
It is a bit different and out of the box.
So what do you think?
Hope you had a most wonderful Memorial Day weekend!!
I am joining:
Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
No Minimalist Here for Share Your Style
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
StoneGable for The Scoop
What a pretty piece and price to add to your collection Shirley! It looks perfectly at home with your wreath and I love the wheat pattern the ironstone!
Oh my, Shirley, that looks wonderful! I would’ve bought the piece for the original price, now questions asked. you got yourself a deal, and the greens look just fantastic. Love the jadeite swirl plates and lotus bowls on the wall, the stained glass and the wreath. Beautiful.
I would have gladly paid $50 for it to know that I didn’t take a chance and missed out. Great deal!
Shirley, your restraint really paid off. You found an awesome piece of ironstone that is quite unique. Your vignette is lovely! The preserved boxwood wreath looks great in the foot bath! The stained glass window is one of may favorites and looks so pretty highlighted by your ironstone collection!
What a gorgeous ironstone piece and another meant to be find at a great price! I love how you created a topiary with the boxwood wreath and the wheat pattern detail is beautiful. Looks perfect in your foyer!
Even though you shop quite a bit at estate sales, tag sales, etc., your home never looks cluttered or too busy (as many do). You have a knack for finding just the right pieces that compliment your home, and you find the perfect places to display them.
Have a great week Shirley!
I am so glad they discounted that piece for you! My heart sank when you said they’d only mark it down after 12. It looks wonderful in its new home!
SCORE!!! It is beautiful and a great find! Love it there in the foyer too. I am going to research how to FIND estate sales. Have a beautiful day!
You are such a talented decorator! Love the vignette – everything is perfect!!!
You did good Shirley!!! What a pretty piece and I love how you placed the boxwood wreath inside it! I’m off to do a little antiquing today:-)
You’ve certainly been very lucky lately. I would have been so disappointed had it not been there the next day. It is a beauty. I haven’t looked for antiques in years. Lately I’ve been trying to redo what I have around here adding some new touches. fondly ~lynne~
Now that was the bargain of the year! What a great piece and it does look like a topiary with the boxwood wreath in it!
Love your foot Bath! I have a faux one, but I want yours! If you tire of it…(ha!)…please let me know. (Again, ha!) I know you will love it forever! Just beautiful. Sheila
It looks great in front of your stained glass window and you never know when you might need a footbath, right? 🙂
I have been to many shows and sales and I never seen a ironstone foot bath before. I say you scored BIG and its a pretty rare piece. Great find Shirley! Now if you find a Ironstone cake plate you are really on a lucky streak!
That was great find at a great price and of course you have styled it beautifully!
What a great piece, Shirley! Love the boxwood wreath displayed that way. It was meant to be!
Adore this gorgeous piece of ironstone, Shirley!! So glad you waited and returned for the discount…..I just found a lovely ironstone pitcher for $10 and am so thrilled with it! Sometimes the little things….
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Coco Chanel: Three Weeks
Ooh I do love that piece- you did very well! I don’t know if I could’ve walked away from it the first time but it must have been meant for you to have! Where I live they’d probably ask $120 for it….I never see deals like these.
That’s a mighty fine collection sitting on top of that AWESOME piece of furniture:D That’s to die for…OMG! Can you say ❤️
Great score on that foot bath. I would have never know what it was. It looks really good with your wreath in it. Looks like you got some really awesome pieces.
Have a great week,
Mary
Shirley the foot bath is great and I love the details on it. You will did score. Enjoy your day. Jo
Shirley,
You SCORED! I think it looks so pretty and what a wonderful new home it has!
Have an awesome day rock star!
karianne
Another great treasure…..I have never seen one like this. I have only seen the foot warmers not foot bath. Looks good with the wreath placed inside.
What a beautiful piece, Shirley! You certainly can’t tell it is from that shot from the estate sale pic. It cleaned up real nice and I love the boxwood wreath as a topiary in it. I want to find a couple of smaller versions of that wreath for my dining room shutters. Just to switch up from my bookpage wreaths that I have hanging there now.
What a great story and such luck with the price. You did score and it looks beautiful
Cindy
Hi Shirley, Yes, SCORE!! Love this piece and you got it for a great price when you went back to the sale. Love how you’ve displayed it with the boxwood wreath. Beautiful treasure!
CM
Love the ironstone footbath, Shirley and how you displayed it! Wish I could go estate selling with you!
It is a beautiful piece…..and you got a really good deal on it too!
~Des
Shirley, You hit the jackpot! Not only is the ironstone beautiful but a steal at $30. The entire vignette is gorgeous.
Hugs,
Sherry
You and your fabulous treasures … you know how to spot them! I love your new foot bath, and it’s perfect paired with your wreath, displayed on your entry table! I would have walked right past it, not seeing it tucked under the desk! That’s great you got it at a discounted price, too … was meant to be!
This is such a fabulous ironstone piece, Shirley! Your French buffet is a wonderful place to show it off. I love anything green paired with white ironstone…gorgeous!!
Mary Alice
Wow, Shirley! What a great piece and a super price. Good things do come to those who wait! I love topiaries, too.
You are so lucky to have found this piece for such an incredible price. I am so happy for you while being a little envious!
What a great piece and it just looks fantastic…
this is gorgeous, I don’t think I’ve ever even seen one of these. I think you got a great deal for a rare piece!
Wow, you were so lucky it was there the next day! that never works out for me!! It looks beautiful in your buffet and I love the boxwood wreath inside it. I also love the grain sack under it. It has my initials “CS” before I got married. Now I am “CR”
🙂
I don’t think I could have walked away but with great risk comes great rewards! Looks amazing!
Great find!
Please don’t use bleach on ironstone. Use Hydrogen peroxide instead.