Some Nice Garage Sale Finds

capt-zero · Mar 3, 2013

Went out garage saling for the first time in weeks, and did really good this time. Found some really nice collectables at primarily two different sales. I appologise for the quality of the pictures below, but I waited for daytime so the lighting is off. Anyway, pictured is a Syracuse Ornamental Company advertising display for the Spiedel Watch Co. to display their watch bands. I've looked all over and can only find one other grand piano display posted at Ruby Lane for $325, but who knows if it will sell for that. My favorites are the Spinach green Jade Chinese Foo Dog. It measures 7" and was unfortunately missing his mate. They generally come in mated pairs (male and female), this is the male. It appears to be late 19th century (my guess) and I am watching a similar one on ebay that has another day to go and presently is going for $265. In addition, another favorite, is the Japanese bronze vase with the porphyry patination. I believe it to be Meiji period and I've included a detail of the signature if someone recognises the mark, please chime in. When I first found it in the bottom of a box, in a dark garage, my heart darn near went into fibbrilation because I thought it was porphyry. Alas, I got it home and found a scratch in the patina that showed the bronze beneath (but that's like complaining that the $5 gold piece you found was actually a $3 gold piece). Moving along, I found an american made four arm bearing puller in good shape (they sell for about $250 new), and next to it an antique brass Yale padlock. Last, but not least, I also found a carved jade and sterling letter opener with Mexican non-deleniated eagle marks(apprx 1950s) and next to it a small American sterling salt/pepper shaker. All in all a great first weekend of the season and I'm looking forward to what comes in the next few weeks.