Treasure Box Wednesday: Gaudy Gorgeousness, Porcelain Pretties and More


I have vintage lamp addiction. And I'm sick enough with this incurable disease that the more outrageous the vintage lamp-- the more geegaws and nubbies and curlicues and crystals that sprout from it-- the more it fills my heart with mad, unbridled joy.

Such was the case this last week at the St. Vincent de Paul as I laid eyes on this 60s table lamp and its great, green, gaudy gorgeousness. I spied it and immediately seized the 20 pounds of lamp from the top shelf, carrying it around the store like Galahad with the Holy Grail... Y'know, once Galahad got his hands on it during the Crusades version of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and took a moment for a celebratory spin around the castle.

(Somewhere I'm sure my Romantic Lit professor is weeping.)


Anyway-- my triumphant glee undoubtedly shone to my fellow shoppers, too-- whose attention was caught by the big, goofy grin on my face. Or... um... the massive green, brass and marble protuberance cradled in my arms.

I braced myself for criticism. And such is my Lamp Mania that I was prepared to defend my obvious lack of taste with a bit of wit and self-awareness... I mean, I KNOW it's a singularly unnatural example of interior lighting...

And that's really the point, isn't it?

Only my fellow shoppers smiled back kindly and confided to me, "Now THAT is a beautiful lamp."

One by one: smile and... "THAT is a beautiful lamp."

Perhaps they were just humoring an obviously very sick woman. Maybe they didn't want me to flip out and.... I don't know... start flinging Pyrex in the Housewares section while speaking in tongues...

But it didn't really sound that way. Could it be the gaudy lamp is having an underground resurgence?

Whatever the case, with this fine example of 60s schmaltz in my possession, I admit, I was riding a bit of a shopping high. Could anything else rival the discovery of my Great Green Beauty?

Well, no. But I did find some stuff I certainly wouldn't trade. Like this delicate "Made in Japan" handpainted mantle statue...



Pretty as a picture!


And some Irish linens I plan to use for a bit of a St. Paddy's display this year. Irish potato soup anyone?...


I found an Imperial Grape milk glass goblet, which I plan to put away for my family friend who collects this pattern (I'll amass a nice big box of it for her over the course of the year!)...


And I found a couple of books that I do believe will make for some funny features for the future...


So all-in-all, it was a faboo week for thrifting. Thanks for joining me for the second weekly Treasure Box Wednesday, (click here if you missed last week's installment) and I wish YOU all the little treasures that make life special. Hope to see you again soon.

10 comments:

Stephanie said...

The cover of the salad book is both funny, but also, kinda gross. I love reading your buys.

Jenn Thorson said...

Ah, and what's inside it is going to be fun to feature...

A 1950s book on making salads would not be complete without the beauty and horror that are salad molds...

(But that's all I can tell you for now. The rest is a secret for an upcoming post!)

Thanks for stopping, Stephanie!
-Jenn

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

My vintage lamp addiction got so bad that I had to start selling them on my website! Only, the ones I end up buying need a litte (read alot) of help, before they end up there! I would have loved to find that gorgeous lamp!
Penny
p.s. sadly, on my last trip to eden, hickory, mt airy and danville I did not have a chance to go into one thrift or antique store!!

Mary L. Briggs said...

Wow, you had a great shopping trip, Jenn! That lamp is gorgeous~of course, I love anything green:) The rest of the treasures were great, too. I love the lady and the baby books were a great find! Hmm, I haven't even thought about decorating for St. Patrick's Day, just yet, but I'm afraid my daughter will pull her hair out if I get out MORE green stuff!!

Le-Chat said...

I totally dig the lamp. What a trophy!

vintage girl at heart said...

I am so glad that others are suffering from the same addiction as me!!! I went a little crazy at yard sales this past week and have yet to post it all because there is so much of it!!! I LOVE that lamp too.. what a fab find!!!! Cannot wait to see next weeks loot!!

Lidian said...

Oh, what a great shopping trip! I am really jealous of that lamp, it is gorgeous. And I also collect horrifying molded-salad recipes. Just wrote about one called 'Silhouette Salad' which is I guess a diet dish in that you take one look and you can't eat for a week...

Andrea Amu said...

That green lamp rocks! I love green though too... but it is really a cool find! :)

Jenn Thorson said...

Penny- I AM surprised you didn't get to do any thrift or antique shopping in your Eden adventures... It's like some cruel taunt, isn't it?

Rose Mary and Andrea-- I'm glad my fellow green lovers see the fun, too. Funny how a certain color can be what catches the eye and draws you to something.

VintageGirl, I think based on the thrifting lately, people might be spring cleaning early-- it's been really good right now. Hope you find yourself some goodies to soothe your own addiction. :)

Lidian- I'll have to check out your horrifying Silhouette Salad. It seems the molded ones are some of the worst concoctions... I guess if there's anything we've learned from the 50s it's that forcing a combination that tastes bad into a pleasing shape does not improve taste. :)

White O'Morn Cottage said...

Hi, Love those teatowels and that soup is yummy....Happy St Patrick's Day from White O'Morn Cottage blog in..guess where? Ireland of course! I have just posted some great St Patrick's day pictures from there. Like you I am thrifting mad and have managed some sweet finds even though we don't have many of those shops here. YOu lucky thing you! If you would like a look then just go to my url. I would love to do a url swap with you. I'm not sure how it's done as I am new to thisbut I will try to add you to list tomorrow.. anyway I have really enjoyed my visit to your blog and saved it to my favourites. Cheers...Pam http://whitemorn.typepad.com