Objets Trouvé Part 1

Today I present a round up of recent thrift shop and craft sale finds of the non-fashion or jewelry variety. Let’s kick things off with this wooden Japanese kokeshi doll. I’m no expert but my googling would suggest it’s vintage, traditional style from them Naruko Onsen area in Miyagi Prefecture. I love these figurines and pick them up whenever I see them. This is a problem because I have no more surfaces left in my house.

Kokeshi dolls were originally made for children but after WWII became popular souvenirs for tourists. Likewise, this Ashanti Akua’Ba was probably made for the export trade (the covered up bits give it away) but the figure has its origins as a fertility charm.

The handmade Totem Pole is of the type you would find at souvenir shops across Canada in the 1970s (even though it’s based on a Pacific West Coast tradition). I’d wager it was made by someone who had no knowledge of stylistic conventions or cultural significance.

I when I was in New York a couple of weeks ago, I stayed at the West Side YMCA. They hear having a pottery sale in the lobby. I bought this little birdie plate. It was only $5. I would have bought a million things but I was traveling light.

Here’s a tableau of some 1920s Fulper flower frogs and a mid century modern glass owl by Swedish artist Mats Jonasson. I got the lily pad and Froggo at an indoor garage sale at the church across the street. They had belonged to the woman who was organizing the sale’s late mother in law. I can’t believe I have a frog-shaped flower frog! And the owl I found thrifting with my friend Sarah.

Last weekend, my mother and sisters and I had a table at my mom’s church’s Christmas Craft sale. There is always one table that sells second hand stuff. Last year I got some vintage Mexican silver and teak bowls. This year I got this lovely Iitalia dish. Again, so many great finds, so few surfaces in my house.