Antique Cast Iron Animal Figurines

Cast iron animal figurines have a charm all their own. Even though my tastes lean towards modern, I am smitten. These sturdy beauties can serve many purposes other than figural. They run the gamut as bookends, candle holders, door stops, key holders, boot scrapers, door knockers, banks and more. These type of figures can be made of other metal, cast iron being the most durable. How to know for sure if it's cast iron or not? A magnet will hold to it. 

The most reasonably priced of the bunch are figurines alone and the most expensive seem to be the banks, which can fetch a pretty hefty price.

I have the Spaniel below and paid around $10 for it several years ago. Since then the popularity has grown for cast iron figures and I would expect to pay more for it now, maybe $20.00 or more.

Spaniel Figurine, image via Jewels of Yesteryear

image via Victorian Casino Antiques

This particular pig is a cigar cutter! I'm not quite sure how it works, but I think that tail plays a part. (Perhaps the cigar goes in the snout of the pig and the tail is a lever to cut it?)

Snail Boot Jack, image via Skinner Auctioneers and Appraisers

Owl Andirons, image via estateroadshow

Swan Ashtray, image via Factory 20

image via Rubylane

A collector would like the way this bear bank has most of it's original paint and that would certainly add to it's value. I however, prefer them without paint and like the aged patina of the iron. 

Dachshund Boot Scraper, image via Aileen Minor

Image via Z & k Antiques

This mechanical frog bank would be a coup for a collector or dealer, and comes with a pretty hefty price.

Turtle String Holder, image via anythinggoeshere

Turtle Hotel Bell, image via Ruby Lane

images via Paul Madden's Antiques Gallery

I love this crab! (Wish it was in the budget)

To read about the history of cast iron toys: Antique Antiques

To read about collectible animal figures: lovetoknow antiques

To read about cast iron banks: squidoo or TribStar

To read an informative review by Jay Kerch, Owner of an antique gallery in Vermont: eBay Guide

These smaller cast iron figurines are just a small part of what's out there for cast iron antiques. Expect to find them occasionally in the behind glass cases of a thrift store. You can also find them at estate sales or auctions. Otherwise, look to eBay where you can expect to pay much more and most expensively at an antique store.

My apologies for not posting for awhile, I've had much going on and will try to not have such lapses in between posts.

Upcycled Desks

Just like the many entertainment centers that have gone to the island of misfit furniture because of flat screen tvs, desks without keyboards have been languishing too. So let's take a look and see what some people are doing to update and upcycle desks. 

  

image via Mama's Happy

I am so in love with this chartreuse metal desk! After seeing it, I immediately did a search for one like it on eBay. I recognized the style as Norman Bel Geddes and found a few. It can be mine for anywhere from $550 to $750 plus shipping. Gulp.

image via Nouvelle Vie Furniture

It's amazing how color can change appearances, like the desk above from antique to modern. I'm currently obsessed with chartreuse and citron like colors, which I did a post on awhile back, if you'd like to view it, click here.

image via Nouvelle Vie Furniture

Love the maps on this desk!

image via LittleJoysStudio

This desk and chair were covered in newspaper, I wonder if it's hard to work with? I'm thinking of the ink that easily comes off.

image via AFreshCoatOfPaint

A fresh coat of paint and leaf motif make this desk sing.

image via Prairie Flower Vintage

Fabric was used on part of this desk and modpodged.

image via NoD

Very mod, like the use of modular storage.

image via Celebrate Creation

This upcycled desk got a nice dose of modern, like the yellow detail on the legs.

image via Industrial Retro Furniture

Salvaged wood + harpin legs = nice desk

image via diy inspired

This isn't a desk, but I had to show this coffee table made from one of those cable reels and hairpin legs - so cute!

One of my daughters recently moved into an apartment and I've been helping her find furniture, mostly via craigslist. I was happy to score this entertainment center for her. I'd been looking for a couple weeks to find something that would fit in with her furnishings and large TV (not flat screen) and found this:

The seller was trying to sell it within a couple days of moving cross country. The ad said they would consider all offers. I offered $25 for the heck of it and they accepted! I really thought someone else would scoop it up. It has a few scratches, but a wood stain stick will take care of that and for $25, who cares?

Doors of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

My husband and I were fortunate to take a trip to the beautiful state of New Mexico. They call it the land of enchantment and now I know why. The desert landscape dotted with yellow wildflowers and purple sage is set against the mountains and the sky is so blue.

On the first leg of our trip we went to Taos. While there we toured the Taos Pueblo, an Indian Reservation that has been inhabited for over 1000 years.
I don't feel good about the situation that the Native American Indians have in our country. But my blog is not the place to make commentary on the situation.

I think Adobe architecture is very interesting (so fitting for the landscape) and it's orange tint could be what makes the sky seem extra blue, though maybe the elevation (7000 ft.) has something to do with it too.

While walking around I was struck by the different doors of each residence and took pictures of them. Even though these are very humble adobe's, there is an artistic sense about them.