From kitschy little brass 1980s incense burners and Buddhas to elegant vintage chandeliers, brass accents for the home top the “must have” list for 2016. Pricey? They don’t have to be.
Wandering through a neighborhood yard sale last week I noticed a dilapidated cardboard box against the fence. Overlooked by the other shoppers, I opened it to find a vintage 8-arm brass chandelier. It came home with me. Chandeliers run the gamut of design, ranging from simplistic to highly intricate designs. Stripped of their wiring they make wonderful gazebo lighting, or rewired they add timeless beauty and elegance to your dining room. Prices in decorator shops and antique malls can run several hundred dollars, so be on the lookout for them at the Summer sales. The price for the one by the fence? $5!
Not much money to go junkin’ with this weekend? Not a problem. Tuck a $20 bill in your pocket and let’s go. Those nostalgic little unicorns, galloping horses, candlesticks and trinket boxes that filled our homes over three decades ago abound at yard sales in the $1-$3 range. The are easily identified by their “Made in India” paper tags and will have considerable weight for their size. Also watch for large floor pots and table vases that are a common find in the $5-$10 range.
Whether viewed as folk-art collectible or Steampunk design, nautical equipment is highly desirable. Both old and reproduction, spheres, globes, telescopes, sextants and compasses are a great find. Brass plated examples make up the bulk of pieces available, but solid brass antique pieces do surface from time to time. Charity resale shops are a great source for these.
With the increase in popularity of older homes, the demand for period brass hardware is seeing an upsurge. Ornate Victorian patterns (1850-1910), simple Arts and Crafts designs (1890-1920) and sleek post-war MCM have more than doubled in value in the past decade as home owners seek to restore the doors in their homes to their former glory. Salvage yard prices may seem a bit out of reach, so watch for knobs, back plackets and full lock sets as you hit the sales and also check on eBay.
If your style leans toward the repurposed, vintage brass is for you. Mismatched brass door knobs for coat hangers, fireplace fenders and large pots to enhance the porch and garden, scrap pieces for custom jewelry and crafting . . . the possibilities are endless. One of my favorite “finds” is the wall mount coat rack from a 1920s Pullman car that I use to hold towels in my master bath.
Brass and brass plated pieces are often confused. If in doubt test the piece with a magnet. If it sticks, it is not solid brass. This simple test will prevent you from paying a “solid brass” price for a piece of lesser grade metal with brass plating. Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-253-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com