The Legend of Stingy-Jack

There are many legends surrounding Halloween, and Jack-O-Lanterns in particular.  One of my favorites is the Legend of Stingy-Jack.  On this Pre- Hallows Eve I share this legend with you.

Origin of the Legend

The Legend of Stingy-Jack is an Irish folktale. Stingy-Jack has been called Jack the Smith, Jack the Drunk, and Jack of the Lantern.  I call him Stingy-Jack.

Stingy-Jack was known in his Irish village and for miles around as a manipulator, trickster, and one who enjoyed the drink too much.  Legend has it that the Devil heard of Stingy-Jack and his reputation.  The Devil wanted to know whether Jack indeed lived up to his reputation, as this made the Devil rather jealous if Jack were more vile than the Devil himself.



Jack and the Devil met up one night and began drinking ale.  Jack did not want to pay for the ale he had been drinking and convinced the Devil to turn himself into a silver coin.   By this time Jack was quite drunk and his bill was quite large.   Stingy-Jack convinced the Devil he would pay for his ale with the silver coin.
   

When the Devil turned into the silver coin Stingy-Jack did not pay his bill.  He placed the coin in his pocket.  Also in his pocket was a silver crucifix.  The silver crucifix prevented the Devil from transforming into his Devil form.  To free the Devil Jack demanded the Devil would not come for his soul for 10 years.  The Devil agreed and was freed

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Ten Years Pass

Jack and the Devil meet up again. Jack thought the Devil had come to claim his soul.  This time Jack convinced the Devil to climb an apple tree so Jack could eat a piece of fruit before he was taken to the underworld.  The Devil agreed.   While the Devil was in the tree Jack surrounded the apple tree with crucifixes. The Devil was freed after Stingy-Jack  convinced the Devil that he would never take his soul to the underworld.   

 

 

It is not known how many years Stingy-Jack continued his way of life.  When he died he was stopped by St. Peter at the gates of Heaven. Stingy-Jack was not allowed into Heaven due to his previous lifestyle. 

 

Stingy-Jack presented himself at the entrance to the underworld.  The Devil kept his word and would not allow Stingy-Jack's soul into the underworld.

 

Jack was given an ember of lighted coal which he placed in a hollowed out turnip.  With a lighted ember Jack roams the earth between good and evil for eternity.  Such is the legend of the Jack-O-Lantern.

   

Till next time stay well, stay happy

www.antiquesattheirongate.com

Pumpkinville, USA 5,000 Illuminated Jack-O-Lanterns

 

Pumpkinville, US

Providence, RI

runs till Nov. 3

 

 

There is still time to celebrate the Harvest to participate in the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, Providence RI.  The event runs until Nov 3, rain or shine in the evening.    Once you see this pumpkin spectacular   you will return each year to experience the craftsmanship and the carvers and the fascination of thousands of glowing pumpkins.

 

This year, 5,000 illuminated pumpkins provide a magical display of artistry as they glow with spooktacular beauty in the evening at the grounds of Roger Williams Park Zoo. This year’s theme is called Pumpkinville, USA.  Pumpkins have been intricately carved to represent various regions of the country, highlighting the historical and cultural landmarks of each state.

 

 Till next time stay well, stay happy

www.antiquesattheirongate.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginners Guide to Buying Country Antique Furniture

With the foliage nearing an end in the southern New England States,  leaf peepers and antique hunters follow the trails north to New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.   As I travel further north the antiques in my friends' homes as well as those for sale in quaint shops that are unique to the northern states begin to reflect simple lines and handcrafting from an earlier time in our countrys' history.  I  never met anyone who has not included a few good quality country antique pieces into their decorating sceme, regardless of the primary period style of their home.

The easiest room to add country antiques is the kitchen. A ladder back chair, a handmade and hand painted stool, a tole ware pitcher to set upon the kitchen table. The bedroom provides another area that easily adapts to the addition of a country antique piece.  The bedroom can be decorated with a handmade sampler that has be framed in a country style frame. Early toys and dolls, even  hand made hooked rugs fit nicely and will blend nicely with a more modern décor. 

When you find an antique country piece it is important to examine it in a well lit area. That may mean asking to take the piece outside in the natural light.  Running your hands over the wood of a piece can help you to distinguish if some parts have been replaced.  Also look for wear in obvious spots.  Handles, ends of doors should show wear, whereas the center of door should not have been touched much and not become discolored from the oils in hands or worn from constant touch.  Check for inconsistencies in construction , such as in the dovetailing of drawers and joints.  If there are differences it suggests the piece is a marriage, that is two different pieces have been joined to make one piece. Marriages can also be seen when a piece has woods that are not quite the same grain, or when the lines of the bottom of a cabinet do not appear to match the dimensions and style of the bottom of the cabinet. 

Knowing that phillip head screws are a modern invention and that old nails were flat on top and made of iron will help you to identify authentic county pieces. All genuine antiques are not equally valuable.  Some craftsmen were more skilled than others and their work is more valuable.  However, if a piece is pleasing to your eye and is at an affordable price point, haul out the packing blankets and be confident  in your selection.

Can't wait to cozy up and start my new book.  Anyone have an antique quilt available?

 

 

Till next time, stay safe, stay happy



antiquesattheirongate.com 

 

 

 

 

Countdown to Christmas Holiday Season

 

New Englanders always talk about the weather so I will start by saying it is a beautiful autumn day.  The sun is shining, temp expected to go to 70s with a slight breeze.  Even as I enjoy this fabulous weather I am beginning to think of the winter, Christmas holiday season.  Time to clear out summer stock and open the boxes marked Xmas. 

Christmas is also one of my favorite holidays, can't think of one that is not my favorite!  I especially enjoy  when someone enters the shop and finds that special gift for that hard to please relative. I do recall some vintage 1950s kitchen items in the forms of Santa salt-pepper shakers, candleholders. And yes, there is a near pristine 1940s tablecloth with a poinsettia border.

Off to savor some sunshine for the hard work ahead.

Till next time, stay well, stay happy

http://www.antiquesattheirongate

 

 

 

Amazing Antique Show

Save the Dates!

Boston Antiques and Design Show Shriner's Auditorium - Wilmington, MA October 19-20

 

This is one show you will not want to miss.  Quality dealers with authentic antiques.  This weekend is a great time for a drive, enjoy the foliage on your way to the show.

 

Till next time stay well, stay happy

Affordable Halloween Happenings in Salem MA

After a visit to the auction of Kurt Shilling this Friday it is off to Salem MA to join the fun and discover the secrets of the past.  The Shilling sale promises to be interesting if not lucrative for collectors of former Pats.   The sale is scheduled for Friday in Medfield. 

 

Salem has events all month and practically round the clock.  Here are a few that hold my interest, related to my interest in history, antiques, and the unusual.

Tales at the Witch House            

Visit a Witch Trials judge 17th Century mansion. Costumed actors perform ghostly stories in an authentic setting. Performances every 20 minutes.   

6 :30 pm – 10 pm

Saturday Morning Coffee Walks

 

  

Salem Food Tours is now offering a walking tour from 9 am to 10:30 am. 

 

Meet Downtown  

 

I enjoy this tour especially when visiting Salem with guests who do not know Salem because of the awesome landmarks, shop and restaurants that are on the tour.  There is a cost for the tour but it is well worth it, especially with the free organic coffee and tea that is provided.  

Wicked Weekends at Gallows Hill Museum/Theatre

The kids adore the events at Gallows Hill.

Enjoy face painting, and appearances by Hell Boy, Beetlejuice, Zombie George, and more.  There are T-shirt and postcard giveaways and the fun part is you never know which character may show up!

Hours are 12 pm to 6 pm    

 

It will be a full day starting with the Walking Tour, then to Gallows Hill and finally the Witch House.   

 

Till next time stay well, stay happy   

Digging for Porcelain Dolls in Germany

These are photos of the porcelain doll making factories in Germany as they look today.  Before the war they were productive and bustling hubs of business, exporting many dolls to the US.

 

 

The small porcelain dolls typically had painted shoes and socks or tights.  The faces were hand painted complete with eyelashes.  Some dolls were made with an open mouth, these are quite rare and desirable.  The hair was sometimes painted.  Other dolls were given mohair wigs styled in curls, soft waves, or braids.  Some dolls were provided a wig crafted of human hair.  Replacement synthetic hair is always a definite no.  If you love the doll, buy it and invest in a good human hair or mohair wig. 

 

 

 The doll heads shown here would have been made with the body and head in a single mold.  The heads with bonnets on them were mores desirable and to this day go for higher prices even when they have no body. The same doll was often made in different sizes, giving the same doll a very different look. There is also a Kewpie doll head pictured above.  It is the doll with the lock of painted brown hair.  Kewpie dolls continue to realize fine prices.

 

Porcelain dolls with attached hats are known as bonnet heads.  This is a wonderful type of doll to collect.  This particular doll has jointed arms, which means her arms were made from a separate mold and then attached to her body through a special wiring process.   Her hips are also jointed.  Some bonnet heads were made from one piece molds, meaning there are no movable body parts. 

 . 
This doll is called a china head doll.  China heads get their names from the type of hairstyle they have. Hair color can be blond or black.  Eye color is either blue, brown, or black.  The rarest eye color is brown.  Some Chinas have a thin red line above the eyelid, this is a desired feature in a china head doll. China head dolls can have many different types of bodies.  They usually have china arms from the elbow including the hands. Their legs from the knee to the foot are china and painted with varying types of boots and shoes.  China head dolls can also have cloth bodies, leather bodies, leather hands.  They also may have movable arms and legs.  Many China head dolls are affordable for the novice collector.
                 

 

 

This doll is called Highland Mary. She has a distinctive hairstyle of curls surrounding her face that continue around the back of her head.  She was made in many different sizes and had painted blonde or black hair.  Her face is also painted so she can have many different looks even though the hairstyle defines her as a Highland Mary. This doll is a really nice example and who can resist her ornate dress and festival flowers.

 

Till next time stay well, stay happy

 

www.antiquesattheirongate.com

 

Upcoming Events

 

Massachusetts Horticultural Society presents:

Fine Wine & Fine Chocolate- The Perfect Pairing

Wed, Oct 16th,  7:00pm -  9:00pm

$55.00 for members        $65.00 for nonmembers

 

 

Last Chance to See Green Animals at Newport Mansions

Anyone who was planning of seeing the Green Animals at New Port Rhode Island has till October 14 to get there.  They are awesome and the adults will love them as much as the kids, maybe more since we know how hard it is to trim bushes.

 

 Check www.NewportMansions.org  
Consider becoming a member, there are year round activities for the whole family

 Till next time, stay well, stay happy

Discovering Autumn Leaf China and Cookwear

 

 When purchasing cook wear and dinnerwear today the first feature, after determining a suitable pattern, is to turn a piece over to identify whether it meets the criteria of modern cooking. That is it must be dishwasher safe, ovenproof, and able to be used in the microwave.  Even the prettiest of patterns and color of cookwear will be passed up if the pieces can not stand up to the demands of the modern kitchen.

I sometimes stray from this approach to buying kitchen ware.
          

Teapot "Autumn Leaf" 1995

 

I learned of Autumn Leaf pattern manufactured by the Jewel Tea Company when I was first starting to collect porcelain. It was the Fall season and I saw some  pieces that would complement my white luncheon set.  The pieces found were decorated with brown green and gold leaves against an ivory background.  Perfect for an autumn get together with family and friends.

   

Sugar & Creamer "Autumn Leaf 1995

 

 

Cookie Jar "Autumn Leaf" 1939

 

 

Beginnings of a Fall Tradition

 

The Autumn Leaf pattern was initially offered as a premium from a grocery chain.  The pattern was manufactured by the Hall China Company in the 1930s for the Jewel Tea Company located in Illinois.

 

The first pieces of Autumn Leaf were manufactured in 1927 and included a salad bowl and plate.

In 1933 a 3-piece mixing bowl set was added to the collection.

 

The cookie jar, shown above, has tootsie roll handles and is often referred to as the tootsie roll cookie jar.  It was the first cookie jar in the Autumn Leaf pattern and was introduced during the Christmas season in 1936. The retail price was $1.50

 

Autumn Leaf continued to be produced on a regular basis by the Jewel Tea Company until the late 1970s.

 

Other companies have produced pieces using the Autumn Leaf pattern including the Crooksville China Company, Harker Pottery, American Limoges, Paden City Potter and Vernon of California.

 

 

Jewel Tea Company and Hall Company Backstamps

 

A sampling of backstamps 

 





 Additional information can be found at the National Autumn Leaf Collectors Club

www.nalcc.org

 

 

Till next time stay well stay happy