It Has To Be You™: July 2014

July in New England has definitely improved in terms of both weather and new finds along the antiques trail – beginning with these two Ball turquoise mason jars I found at the Elephant's
Trunk Country Flea Market in New Milford, CT.

Ball Mason Jars, approx. 9.5" tall x 4.5" wide.
Based on the script-like logo, these date from between 1910 to 1923.

I don't usually buy "country" antiques, but the turquoise color and large size of these attracted my attention. They make perfect accent pieces in my red and gold living room.

Yesterday I attended the Brimfield Antiques Show on a gorgeous sunny summer day. I missed the May show due to inclement weather. Needless to say, I made up for lost time with a few fun bargain purchases.

One of my favorite Christmas dealers had a fun Santa blow mold I couldn't resist. This one is popping out of a chimney and has a happy, jolly face.

Dapol Industries plastic Santa, made in the mid to late 1970s?, possibly in Worcester, MA.

The back says, "Dapol Industries Decorative Outfit. Made in USA. For Indoor Use Only."

I also bought a plastic ghost (back says, "1995 Empire Ind., Inc. Made in China") and an angel (identical to one I already have). The angel has no markings, but according to my Collector's Encyclopedia of Electric Christmas Lighting, it was made by the Levinson Mfg. Co., USA, around 1955. She originally came with a white plastic pedestal base. A true bargain at $5!

1955 Angel prays for 1995 Trick-Or-Treating Ghost.

I also purchased a C-7 Santa bulb from the same dealer who sold me the plastic Santa and Ghost.

C-7 Santa bulb, marked "JAPAN" on screw-in base. Dates from 1950s?

My crowning purchase of the day? This unique decorative wall piece, the likes of which I'd never seen before.

Though it's missing a few "jewels," I really love the design and shape of the black velvet crown and the curvaceously scrolled swag, as well as the unusual twisting finial. The back says,

GOODMAN-DEAN-SCOTT, INC.
CONTINENTAL BOUTIQUE 34263
MONARCH CROWN-SWAG

I couldn't find much info on the company, but one online comment I found suggests Goodman-Dean-Scott was based in Chicago. This piece was probably made anywhere from the early 1960s to the mid 1970s.

In any case, I really like it, and it was a bargain at $23.
It's also missing a couple of small "hook loops" on the left part of the swag. I'm thinking crystals may have hung from them originally. SO, I visited the hardware dealer at Brimfield for a few crystal drops, including these two ruby ones.