This beautiful, large decorative plate is from the famous firm of Villeroy & Boch in Germany. It is one of their series called "Christmas in Europe;" this plate is titled "Scandinavia" and has a scene in the center featuring five of Santa's elves loading his sleigh in front of a mountain log cabin, presumably Santa's.
The wide lip on the plate is decorated with toys and gifts from days gone by, set amongst green fir boughs on a medium blue background. Our personal favorite is the 'boy with pig' mechanical bank. The plate measures 11 inches in diameter, stands 1 inch high and weighs 1 1/2 pounds. Fully marked on the underside, stamped in black, the plate is in like new condition. It was lovingly carried back from Germany in the arms of a family member, having been purchased there on holiday in 1997. A great plate to decorate with at Christmas...and to serve your favorite cookies on.
© PrimpingYourHome.com
PYH 5588
Victor (Vic) Poverud hand carved and signed decoys in the 1980's for The Wooden Bird Factory in Minnesota before starting Poverud Enterprises in 1989. He made resin models of ducks and other game birds and meticulously hand painted them.
These miniature mallard ducks, a drake and a hen, are each 5 inches long with handsome natural colors and tiny glass eyes. The male is marked "MALLARD DRAKE" on the bottom and the female "MALLARD HEN"; both are hand signed "A.& V. Poverud" and have the gold foil Poverud Enterprises label. Each weighs 7 ounces and are in excellent condition, with a few tiny chips to the hen's tail the only wear we could find (see the next to last photo). Both birds display beautifully.
© PrimpingYourHome.com
PYH 5325
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Villeroy and Boch
Christmas in Europe Holland Plate US$60.00 -
Villeroy and Boch
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Villeroy and Boch
Bring a piece of history to your home with this unique antique cast iron wall match holder! Crafted with intricate detail, the hunting motif adds a touch of rustic charm to any space. Its sturdy iron construction ensures durability and a classic look for years to come.
A double match safe, designed to hang on the wall and hold both unused and used wooden matches, this cast iron piece was made with a hunting motif. The designs are molded in relief; the game bag holds the two match pockets and is flanked on one side by a hare and the other by a grouse, spoils of the hunt no doubt. Centered above the game bag is a hunting horn and the piece is topped with a knothole and a pair of oak leaves.
The reverse of this match keeper has the patent date stamped into the metal: PATD SEPT 27 1870. The piece is 9 inches tall and 5 1/2 inches across at the widest point. It weighs 1 pound 2 ounces and is in excellent condition, save for a few spots of rust, one on the front under the match holders and the rest on the back side. There have been many reproductions of this over the last 150 years, but this is the original. It's great décor for the kitchen or hearth in a hunting lodge, log cabin or the rustic home.
A helpful note...When buying "old" cast iron, examine the edges; if they are rough, it's probably a later item, reproduced by using an original as a mold. The edges of the original ones were carefully filed down after casting. In addition, some of the details will be missing on the reproduction, lost in the recasting.
© PrimpingYourHome.com
PYH 5308
This folk art oil painting of an ear of blue corn was done on a board and has a wooden frame that is completely covered in casuarina pods. The ear of corn is pictured upright in its open husk on the mocha color painted background. The prickly pods cover the front and sides of the frame. When we found the painting, some of the pods were missing; we bought a small bag of them and replaced the missing ones using super glue. We're sending along the bag with the rest of the pods in case they're needed in the future.
The framed painting measures 10 inches by 8 1/2 inches and weighs one pound. There's a hanging wire attached on the back and the frame, the painting and the pods are all in very good condition. This painting looks great in a wall grouping, alone or propped on a shelf. It's an unusual piece, very much in the spirit of handmade folk art.
© PrimpingYourHome.com
PYH 5569