It has been a while since I last wrote a blog post so it is time to share some of my collections with you.
As you know from reading my blog, my husband and I have collected primitive furniture and accessories for over 40 years. This water crock was a gift from him eons ago but I still love it especially now that he is gone. As I walk around my home I can't believe how many crocks, old yellow ware and blue sponge ware bowls I have. Not to mention all the ironstone!
The salt glaze bee stinger crocks are some of my favorites. They were made by the Minnesota Pottery Company about 1880-1890. The company later became Red Wing Pottery. I have a 2, 3 and 4 gallon crock but they have become so expensive that may be the end of my quest for another one!
The lamp is made from a 2 gallon A. P. Donaghho crock made in Parkersburg, WV, the town where my dad was born. I ruined the monetary value of this crock by making it into a lamp but the emotional value is priceless to me. The bucket bench is filled with crocks of all sizes as well as several small antique baskets and 2 sap buckets.
I can't pass up any ironstone that I find -- and the simpler it is the better I like it. It is in every room of my home and I have to display it wherever I can find a spot. The old tool carrier has had flowers in it as well as greens and pine cones and vintage wooden cooking tools. Now it is full of ironstone dishes that I use daily. Did I mention that I also can't pass up old sieves? This is just one of several and it is on one of the open shelves in my kitchen.
The 2nd bowl from the bottom belonged to my great-great grandmother and I treasure the family connection. I like sponge ware but this is the only really old piece that I have which I suppose makes it more important. The ironstone is in my dining room cabinets and is used often. The fish plate is actually very old milk glass and belonged to one of my grandmothers.
My guest room is full of family treasures. The old door in the corner is from my husband's grandparents farm here in Illinois. It was built between 1856 and 1860 because it was shown in the census for 1860. This was more than 20 years before they immigrated from Norway! The land was originally a grant to a gentleman from the East and we have the deed signed by President James Polk. Hanging on the door is a dress and shoulder cape that belonged to my paternal great-great grandmother. She had 16 children and could still fit into something that small! Amazing. The fabric dates to pre-Civil War and is extremely fragile. I keep it away from direct sunlight so that it can be preserved as long as possible. I have a photo of her in the dress and cape holding her husbands hand. The basket hanging on the door belonged to my maternal grandparents and was their popcorn basket. The long handle allowed it to be passed between the 2 of them without having to get up. The youth chair was found years ago by my dad in a antique shop and is handmade and still has the blue buttermilk paint on it. The crock with the peacock painted on it came from my maternal grandparents home in SW VA and since there are no markings on it I don't know if it was made that way or if someone painted it at a later time. It is circa 1890 and I have never seen another one like it.
More searching to do because there must be a corner somewhere that I haven't filled yet!
My guest room is full of family treasures. The old door in the corner is from my husband's grandparents farm here in Illinois. It was built between 1856 and 1860 because it was shown in the census for 1860. This was more than 20 years before they immigrated from Norway! The land was originally a grant to a gentleman from the East and we have the deed signed by President James Polk. Hanging on the door is a dress and shoulder cape that belonged to my paternal great-great grandmother. She had 16 children and could still fit into something that small! Amazing. The fabric dates to pre-Civil War and is extremely fragile. I keep it away from direct sunlight so that it can be preserved as long as possible. I have a photo of her in the dress and cape holding her husbands hand. The basket hanging on the door belonged to my maternal grandparents and was their popcorn basket. The long handle allowed it to be passed between the 2 of them without having to get up. The youth chair was found years ago by my dad in a antique shop and is handmade and still has the blue buttermilk paint on it. The crock with the peacock painted on it came from my maternal grandparents home in SW VA and since there are no markings on it I don't know if it was made that way or if someone painted it at a later time. It is circa 1890 and I have never seen another one like it.
More searching to do because there must be a corner somewhere that I haven't filled yet!
