As mentioned before, we live in an old house. One of the many interesting (ahem) design choices of the previous owners was to craft kitchen cabinets out of wood taken from the attic - thick hard pine at least 250 years old. The wood is gorgeous, the cabinets, not so much.
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posted by heigh-hothederryo
on May 8, 2013 -
8 answers
Twenty or so years ago Grams passed on and I got some very nice looking plates and cups made of china with gold trim, (I don't know if it's real gold but it looks nice) Since Gramps gambled most of his pay away I reckon the stuff was passed on to her as well. I've used it twice and its time for me to downsize (vinyl LPs go last). Can anyone recommend a place in the tri-state area (NY-NJ-Conn) where there are parties interested in such ware?
posted by daveo'h
on Apr 3, 2013 -
8 answers
I've come into possession of an antique oak filing cabinet, and need help figuring out how to make the interior of the drawers functional. Restoration advice needed, please.
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posted by MonkeyToes
on Mar 17, 2013 -
4 answers
I have an olive oil label printed in France by A. Oliveau & Fils graveur in Bordeaux for a grocery store or outfit in Mexico City, Cia. Abarrotera. The label looks like it is from the very early 1900s. I would like to know when Cia. Abbarrotera and/or A. Oliveau & Fils graveur was in operation.
posted by kirsti
on Feb 17, 2013 -
10 answers
I have a Challenge to all antique hand tool buffs. I'd really appreciate knowing what this
tool is and what it was used for...
The tool consists of a brass piece mounted to a wooden handle. The tool measures 6 3/4 " in total length. At the high point of the brass forefront, it is 1 15/16 ". The brass piece is 1 5/8 " wide. It has a tool stamp of 'IDEAL TOOL COMPANY' in raised letters on the reverse side of the upright brass fixture. I could not find anything like it on the Ideal Tool Company Antique website...
I would greatly appreciate your expert opinions as to what it is and was used to accomplish.
Thank you for your professional and generous offer to identify this hand tool piece !
posted by Jim Young
on Jan 6, 2013 -
8 answers
I am planning to buy a jewelry cleaner for my brother-in-law who sells antique jewelry (and other antiques). Will an ultra-sonic cleaner be more useful than a steam cleaner or visa-verse. Or, does one need both to be effective?
posted by lake59
on Dec 2, 2012 -
9 answers
I'm looking for a replica of
this antique watch (or something similar to it) that I can purchase online. My mother has an antique watch from her grandmother that is very small. It's less than the width of a finger and it has a "jewelry clasp" on the thin leather straps. Is there a name for this style of watch? Or, is there a similar style that you have happened across online? I'm not looking for this exact watch, per se, just something this small and of the style.
posted by john the fourth
on Nov 15, 2012 -
9 answers
I need to have repairs done on an antique clock in the Los Angeles area, but I'm unsure who would be reputable. Does anyone have any recommendations regarding a good place to get an initial estimate? Or is there a way to find good reviews for this kind of sevice?
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posted by SpacemanStix
on Nov 8, 2012 -
6 answers
What was
this spigot attached to? It was found underneath the floorboards of part of a late 19th century luxury hotel in Montana (operating from 1889 to about 1940), along with many champagne and beer bottles and other alcohol-related paraphernalia. I can't find any examples of spigots that have similar valve hardware. I was thinking it was a beer or wine tap, but I have no evidence to support that.
posted by SixteenTons
on Oct 4, 2012 -
4 answers
Can anyone figure out the language/writing on the
bottom of this teapot? If it helps, it was probably purchased in the NYC area between 1940 - 1970.
posted by mikepop
on Aug 27, 2012 -
8 answers
I need a more in-depth guide on the proper care of my old (1800-1960) books. I know the basics, (no sun, no moisture, no dirty hands) but I have some questions whose answers I cannot find.
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posted by windykites
on Aug 27, 2012 -
5 answers
Looking to buy an old gas stove and old electric chest freezer (pre-60's). Advice wanted!
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posted by katyh
on Aug 23, 2012 -
16 answers
Recommend jewellers in the Toronto area where I might be able to find an antique/vintage pearl ring to give my partner for our 5th wedding anniversary!
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posted by colourmebrad
on Aug 14, 2012 -
4 answers
Two charcoal drawings were left behind when both my parents recently transitioned. We are attempting to establish their value. Both appear to be very old, Dutch in nature and both feature large sailboats and people "working" on shore. Each is about 36 inches long and about 30 inches tall. The artists name appears to be Janssam or Janssau...the "end-swirl" of the last letter of the name curves up and hovers over the name, back to the first "s". I have a photo of one drawing but haven't yet figured out how to post a picture on this site. Any help or suggestion toward identifying these pictures is greatly appreciated.
posted by Mickiezada
on Jun 13, 2012 -
8 answers
Does anybody know the term to describe this particular style of vintage kitchen/dining room hutch? It came in many forms but was generally made from a blonde, plainly figured wood and had bright red accents. I remember seeing examples in nearly every Toronto junk shop was ever in.
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posted by bonobothegreat
on Apr 5, 2012 -
15 answers
92.5% Sterling Silver scrap value, and where to sell it to a precious metals dealer in the Seattle area: Any advice?
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posted by thewalrus
on Jan 30, 2012 -
8 answers
I'm getting married in San Diego in the middle of February. I will have a short span of time to acquire a wedding band in a city I know nothing about. Do you have an suggestions where I might find a non-jeweled, yellow-gold, vintage, possibly deco-period, wedding band?
posted by Foam Pants
on Jan 30, 2012 -
6 answers
[SewingFilter] We'd rather avoid making the worst sewing machine related purchase of our lives? Help us decide if getting an older machine could be a better choice than a newer model.
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posted by RolandOfEld
on Jan 5, 2012 -
37 answers
I think I got ripped off. Please tell me if this antique "Absinthe Fountain" is legit.
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posted by domo
on Jan 5, 2012 -
12 answers
I bought this antique Art Nouveau jewelry casket from an Etsy vendor, and I'm thinking I'd like to reline it and restore the finish. I know I can handle making the new lining, but what do I do to restore the finish? Would I basically just paint it using a special kind of paint, or....?
posted by orange swan
on Oct 19, 2011 -
13 answers
I have three antique bevelled mirrors (date stamped April 1915 on the back) that are part of a three-way mirror from a vanity table and that I would like resilvered. Does anyone know of a good place to have this done in Toronto?
posted by orange swan
on Oct 12, 2011 -
3 answers
My friend just bought a wood carving of a horse head (Pictures:
1,
2,
3,
4). It's supposedly from India and about 200-300 years old. Furthermore, the seller told us people used to hang them in pairs on the sides of their door as a status symbol (hence the wrought iron nail through the chest).
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posted by mahershalal
on Oct 2, 2011 -
5 answers
So I have to restore this small chest which is no big deal, but I have no idea what it actually is.
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posted by Max Power
on Jan 27, 2011 -
6 answers
I just came across
this travel eating kit on Etsy and it is, as you can well see, awesome. I'm googling to find similar things (I'd love to find one with a spoon), but I can't seem to find search terms that will give me any hits at all. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
posted by The Dutchman
on Jan 20, 2011 -
17 answers
What is this cool and yet weird vintage lamp? I found it at an estate sale, and can't place exactly what it even is. White orb surrounded by a black wooden band.
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posted by allthewhile
on Jan 5, 2011 -
5 answers
Looking for an old children's book from the 1940's, about some kids who buy magic star-shaped cookies that, when thrown into the sky, provide a stairway to another world. Ring any bells?
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posted by np312
on Nov 15, 2010 -
4 answers
Need help with a creative, un-cheesy name for my mom's antique business.
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posted by click
on Oct 19, 2010 -
27 answers
Could anyone identify this antique document written in an unknown script (Kashmiri?) and perhaps comment on its purpose? (Pictures inside)
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posted by Petromyzon
on Sep 22, 2010 -
13 answers
Antique furniture repair/cabinetmaking. in Chicago. The place I used in the past to repair antique furniture is closed (the man retired). There was a sign on the door which did not suggest alternative shops. Any recommendations for furniture repair in the Chicago area?
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posted by crush-onastick
on Sep 20, 2010 -
2 answers
