I have a decor confession to make….You see the cute little turquoise/white ginger jar/vase? It appears to be flawless, but truth is, it has a crack on the lid, but I keep it turned towards the back. One of the most intriguing reasons I buy antiques or thrifted items is because they have history, such as this Bavaria hand painted vase. I purchased it last year from Pieces of Time estate sale located in New Jersey. When I spotted the vase in the picture gallery, I asked my sister the price and she stated it was priced at $10.00 – I couldn’t believe so cheap (but I was happy about it) and when I asked, she informed me of the broken lid.
She proceeded to ask me if I still wanted it, and as you see, of course I did. Later on when we spoke, I mentioned the vase again. She stated plain and simple, people don’t like to buy broken things, which I clearly understand, to a degree. Even though the lid was broken, I can actually use it as a vase, So, moving along, if you’re asking why am I talking about this vase? Well two reasons… one because it’s broken and two because of the history. Take a look at how the lid was broken, and how there was an attempt to repair it.
It brings back a memory I had of my grandmother. One day while visiting her, she was drinking tea from a broken teacup. I questioned her about drinking from a broken cup and she stated it’s only the handle that was broken. I told her I’d buy her a new cup, (I mean really – it’s only a cup- and who wants to see their grandmother drinking from a broken cup- right???) In our jovial conversation, she said, “now Kim, don’t you think I could have bought a new one after all these years”..lol.. duhh…. yea she’s right.. But she went on to say that back when she was younger, people didn’t just throw things away. Times were hard and they treasured what they had and tried to keep things in good condition. My grandmother had wonderful taste in china patterns and the teacup she had was very pretty with delicate painted flowers. Apparently she had it for quite some time. She remembered the day she bought it and was so happy to have the pretty teacup and used it faithfully making sure she took care of it… (sometimes it’s the simple and small things that people cherish). But anyway, that particular cup reminded her of where she came and the struggle she went through all the years and having the cup to use, was a symbol that she made it through. So when I saw the vase – still beautiful, and realized how it was pieced back together (with this same glue looking stuff) that was on Mother Dear’s cup, it made me think of that day – sitting there – watching her sip tea in this beautifully broken teacup.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get my grandmother’s teacup after she passed (although I did try to find it), but in my mind, this antique vase is holding someone’s same story. I believe that the previous owner was a woman who scrapped and saved to purchase this vase to adorn her home with a beautiful piece of china during an economically challenged time (aka the depression era). Perhaps her intention was to pass it on to her children or grandchildren, because why else would she take the time to piece it back together? Sadly enough, It had to have meant something to her, but we’ll never know. However, I do know one thing.. I’m making a new memory of it.
You may call me crazy, but this is why antiques intrigue me and items bought at estate sales give you more of a connection to an item.
In addition to the throwback memory of this piece, let’s talk a bit about Bavaria china. This particular piece was marked, signed and numbered. The earliest Bavarian china factory was founded in 1794. The Royal Bayreuth company made plates, tea cups, pitchers and figurines. Other Bavarian china companies, such as Johann Haviland, Winterling and Hutschenreuther, have operations that are more than a century old.
Bavarian china is characterized by fine translucent porcelain and hand-painted colorful decorations. While floral patterns are generally used on dinnerware, hand-painted figurines are also prevalent. Paint colors are almost exclusively blue, pink, yellow, green and red. Silver and gold trim is common as well. Every piece of Bavarian china has an identification stamp on it. Antique Bavarian china stamps help to authenticate a piece by tracing a company’s marking history. For instance, Royal Bayreuth changes the bottom stamp regularly, so a certain stamp is indicative of a certain time period. This particular piece was dated back to the 1920’s. To read and learn more about Bavaria china click here.
If you’re interested in purchasing an antique piece, you can click here.
So tell me…. would you have purchased this item or just left it? Better yet, do you have a beautifully broken piece that you still use in your home decor? Not only does this hand painted vase add the perfect touch to my bedside table, it also adds nostalgia.
I hope this post helped you understand a bit more about why I love antiques and inspired you to add a piece to your home decor. As always, Happy hunting while you thrift your house into a home!
I particularly like porcelain enameled pans, cups and dishes that were repaired with a tiny machine screw and a tiny nut that could be purchased in the 1930s and 1940s at the hardware store. I have found two antique cards holding these minute metal repair screws and have used them to repair galvanized sprinkling cans. I’m with you, I am interested in “make-do” repairs from an earlier time in the U.S. when we weren’t such a throw-out society. If I could ever find enough of it, I would open a Make-Do Museum and exhibit all the creative and resourceful things that people came up when they needed to save money or didn’t have money. I love that stuff. I have a broken vase that a 92 year old friend saved her entire life with a big chip out of the top. I met her when I was doing volunteer work in a nursing home and she was such a lovely person. When she passed away, I read her obituary in the local newspaper. It said that she dedicated her life to working with the poor with Jane Addams in Chicago. I was blown away. I treasure the vase because it must have meant something important to her. I wish I would have asked her what it meant to her to have kept it with her even when she went into a nursing home. I guess it is enough to know that she loved it and, more importantly, that she gave it to me.
Oh wow Ginene.. what a wonderful story.. that was truly a blessing that she left you a part of her life to remember her by. This is exactly what I mean when I see broken items. I actually like your idea of the make do museum.. it’s something special about items that people keep for whatever reasons but when it’s a continued treasure it’s a blessing. Thank you for sharing your story with me.. hugs to you my friend
I have many glass pieces and figurines. I try to display carefully. But it seems that my husband is not so careful around them, clumsy really. He then tries to disguise his accident by doing a crooked glue job. This is how I find most. This ticks me off more, just because of the reckless glue job, then that he broke it. The other thing is, that he always manages to break my favorite objects, even when I make a point of where it is almost impossible to break. Other than that, he’s not a bad guy. lol
Lol! Those darn husbands.. can’t kill them so we love them.. lol.. we’ll give him kudos for trying to glue it back.. even though our keen eyes will zero in on it..my husband had his share at breaking a couple of my pieces.. but he just threw it away.. asks yea I wished I had thrown him away lol…(just kidding).. thanks Barbara for reading and sharing your story
I buy broken stuff all the time! If there’s a way to disguise the flaw or make it a part of the whole look…I’m all in! I don’t believe in getting rid of things simply because there’s a flaw. Flaws make things unique, and as you eloquently pointed out, there’s always a story behind it even if we never know what it is. I have a fabulous Dresden coffee set that is so delicate a mere whisper might crack it. It was the object of my Mom’s greatest affection when I was little, and it quickly became mine, too. Long story short, 6-year-olds have NO business playing with such finery! I broke 2 of the pieces. My Mom made an attempt to repair them herself. In recent years she gave the set to me. I could have taken it in for professional repair service, but the story behind the breakage was far more precious to me than the actual set. So you go on with your bad self! Broke is beautiful!
Awwwww.. thank you for sharing your story Alycia! I truly enjoyed reading and knowing the history of your beautiful broken set. I’m very familiar with Desden and your right.. a mere whisper would crack it lol.. truly is stuff just for show. Thanks for reading and sharing yours.. hugs to you
Jamala, I would have purchased this beauty as I have plenty other prevlove treasures with flaws. Thank you for the education on Bavaria China.
You’re very welcome marsha! As a fellow lover of detailed beauty I’m happy to hear I made the right decision. Thanks for reading
I still would have bought it too Jamala! People sleep on china & crystal in thrift stores, estate & garage sales – I have been known to snap a pic & send it to my mom or sister to research while I’m in the store. I have been amazed at some of the things we’ve found.
Yes Nicki!! I absolutely find some pure beauties out there.. You and I are going to have to thrift together one day – I’m putting it out there and hopefully our paths will cross and make it happen! Thanks sis for reading and appreciating the value of all beautiful things.
A beautiful memory to hold onto! A beautiful bruised but not broken vase that’s still serving beauty!!
Thanks Ida!! I appreciate you reading this. Yes, as my sister mentioned – it still has visual value 🙂
An absolutely beautiful read!!!!. I love reading very early in the mornings and this has definitely made a refreshing and lovely start to a brand new day. Yes I would buy a broken treasure, if you love it…You love it. Very nice my dear, very nice.!!
Thank you Linda!! I’m happy to hear this was a good morning read for you 🙂 .. It’s refreshing to know there are still a few of us out here that would find the beauty in a broken piece. Enjoy the rest of your week!