Our Hopeful Home: Thrill of the Hunt #109

Welcome, friends, to another fun-filled Thrill of the Hunt post where I share my latest thrifty (and usually) vintage finds with you. Today it's all about vintage ironstone, silver and cobalt glass salt cellars and my fixation with blue and white (hint: Wedgewood!). So let's get started.

Thrill of the Hunt Find No.1: Vintage Kaldun and Bogle Pitcher

I am an unapologetic collector of vintage ironstone and porcelain china pieces. I used to collect teacups and saucers. Then I started collecting ironstone. And that collection has grown into my largest, and by far my most favorite, collection. I have more than ten pitchers and at least six or seven soup tureens, but I never get tired of them. Oh, and platters. Lots of platters.

white porcelain Kaldun and Bogle ornate pitcher

I recently re-found (in storage) a vintage Kaldun and Bogle pitcher that I found while out thrifting a few years ago. I paid $2.99 for it at Goodwill.

I was drawn to it because: 1) it's white and 2) the detail on it is gorgeous.

It has such delicate features, although the pitcher itself is quite sturdy.

Kaldun and Bogle makers mark made in China Goodwill price tag

The makers mark on the bottom looks like something you'd see from a manufacturer in England. Oddly enough, there's also a "Made in China" sticker on it as well. My research tells me they're a Minnesota company, at least since 2000. Perhaps they're importers?

bulbous scrolly pointy white porcelain pitcher

spring floral bouquet trailing greens white pitcher vase

Like with all my ironstone and porcelain pitchers, it makes a marvelous vase for some spring flowers. I searched and searched online for a clue as to what this pattern might be called but came up empty handed. Same goes for its age. I do think, though, that it's safe to say it's vintage. Either way, I was happy to add it to my collection.

Thrill of the Hunt Find No. 2: Silver Salt Cellar With Cobalt Blue Glass Insert

silver plated salt cellar cobalt blue glass insert spoon

I also used to collect salt cellars. It's been years since I bought one, but when I saw this at a local pop-up estate sale I knew had to have it.

The fact that it comes with the spoon is always a bonus! I believe the salt cellar is made of silver plate, but the spoon really does look like sterling silver. However, I can't find any sterling silver markings on it.

I love the detailing around the top.

silver salt cellar cobalt blue glass insert silver spoon

I've never had one with a cobalt blue glass insert. In my research I found many similar ones, some with lids and some without. This one is most similar to either an E.G. Webster & Son silver plated salt cellar or an Ellis Barker Master silver plated salt cellar. Many of them are selling for upwards of $50 apiece.

footed silver patina salt cellar clear glass insert

Here's another one from my collection. I think I bought it over 20 years ago. It's been my go-to salt cellar all these years (the others are somewhere in storage).

Can you tell I love the patina? And this new one will also get used. I'll be keeping it handy in my farmhouse china hutch in the dining room. For $6.00 I consider it a steal.

Thrill of the Hunt Find No. 3: Wedgewood of Etruria & Barlston embossed blue and white Queensware teacup and saucer.

Looks like I've come full circle and teacups are fair game again! I was not looking for teacups per se, but I was looking for blue china pieces to use for a future project. And this beautiful teacup and saucer jumped out at me.

Wedgewood of Etruria & Barlaston made in England makers mark

My research shows it is a vintage (70 years old) Wedgewood of Etruria & Barlston embossed blue and white Queensware tea cup and saucer set made in England. That's a mouthful for sure. And I love it! Based on the embossed underside, as shown above, it looks like this was made in 1951 (see 12 C 51).

Wedgewood Etruria Barlaston blue white Wedgewood china saucer plate

I love the embossed flowers as well as the fluted edge of the saucer.

snowy faux green leaves white berries blue wedgewood tea cup

I also love that I can fill it with greens and flowers and voila -- it's a vase as well.

While I paid $3.99 for it, I found it selling online for up to $35. But that doesn't matter because I am keeping this one! I will definitely be on the lookout for more of these Wedgewood pieces in the future.

And last but not least, this week I'm adding a somewhat nontraditional Thrill of the Hunt find that I'm preparing to put into my Etsy shop. I wanted to give a heads-up for anyone who might be interested since they're perfect for spring and/or Easter and both will be here before we know it!