Posts Tagged ‘wood base’

Newer Entries »

American pressed glass goblet, c.1855

Friday, March 12th, 2010

A geometric pattern flint glass goblet in the “Excelsior” pattern, measures 5-3/4″ high and was made by McKee Bros. of Pittsburgh, PA.

The original glass base was replaced with this most unusual 4-prong painted wood base, one of the more whimsical replacement bases I have ever seen.

The broken stem of the goblet can be seen on the underside.

Below is an intact “Excelsior” goblet with an offset-flute stem base. This is what my goblet would have looked like before its replaced inventive repair base was added .

Photo courtesy of the University of Wisconsin

Tags:, ,
Posted in glass/goblet | No Comments »

Leeds pepper caster, c.1820

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Baluster form pottery pepper pot from England with cobalt decoration, measures 4-1/4″ high.

A base carved from wood and painted blue to match the caster’s decoration replaces the original broken base.

Putty was added to the crudely carved wood base to adhere it to the bottom of the pot.

This Leeds pot with similar form and decoration has its base intact.

Photo courtesy of John D. Wahl Antiques

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in pepper/salt | No Comments »

Flint glass candlestick, c.1870

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

One of my favorite antiques with inventive repairs illustrates the incongruence of materials and the immediate need to mend a broken item. When this elegant American flint glass candlestick snapped off at the base, it was attached to a simple 3-1/2″ solid block of mahogany.

Candlestick with replaced wood base measures 12-1/2” high.

A similar flint glass candlestick, showing a standard round base.

Photo courtesy of eBay

Tags:, ,
Posted in candle holder | No Comments »

Cast iron horse drawn ladder wagon, c.1900

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

A small cast iron fragment is all that remains of an elaborate miniature horse drawn ladder wagon. Someone loved their toy almost “to death” and I am grateful to whoever nailed the remains to a scrap of wood, breathing new life in to their cherished plaything.

Cast iron toys were extremely popular in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, as they were easy to mass produce. Durable as they were, cast iron was still likely to snap if misused.

A single bent nail holds the 8-1/2″ long American toy upright. This has got to be one of the most poignant toys with inventive repairs I have ever seen and I am amazed that it survived over one hundred years.

Intact wagon, shown in all of its splendor, with horses, firemen and removable ladders. The back end & wheels are all that remains of my extraordinary “make-do” toy.

Photo courtesy of Live Auctioneers

Tags:, ,
Posted in toy | 2 Comments »

Newer Entries »