Old landscapes

I love vintage paintings and my collection counts many pieces. One section is dedicated to landscapes and nature.

The tradition of British landscape painting: views of sea, lakes, streams, mountains and trees. I can’t resist the pull of those wide spaces, the rugged solitary beauty, or the romantic serene scenes. These views evoke positive feelings – a sense of inner peace and well being.

I am now listing a few British pieces – some is vintage and some is antique artwork.

There is this little picture of a ruined castle near a mountain cliff by the shore of a lake, possibly depicting a Scottish loch. The location bears good resemblance with the ruined Kilchum Castle on the Loch Awe. The scene has a pretty and peaceful atmosphere, with warm tones.

Antique oil painting, 19th century English school

Very old canvas, with mark by Muller, an art provider in the City of London

Then there is this little charming vintage painting with beautiful colours and showing a marine view. A country cottage is perched atop a gentle hill, with dry stone wall and colourful front garden. Opposite, we have a wide view of the sea, with rolling waves, rocks, and a fluffy cloud sky. Close to the viewer, a wide bay with sandy beach. On the very far horizon a rain shower is hinted. This serene and gentle marine landscape depicts Runswick Bay, a little village near Whitby in Yorkshire.

Vintage painting of Yorkshire village by the sea, from the 1990s

What about this rugged mountain landscape with a solitary stream, perhaps an English dale, or a corner of the Scottish Highlands? Or is that a wild area in Wales? I love those majestic peaks in the far distance, and a handful of birds dancing in circle above scattered rocks. The earthy tones mixed with greens and teals. The grand and remote peace.

Are these the English Dales or the wild Wales?

The last painting is an antique oil of a Scottish Highland landscape and is one of my all-time favourite. The composition again depicts the countryside, this time less remote, with a river gently turning, its water flowing slowly across mountains and hills, with vegetation and trees. You would expect to see someone appearing from a little path in between the greenery. Does this view really exist or is it an artistic fancy? Where does the river flow into? How would it look in stormy weather? I very much like the old frame in which the painting sits, with its rich yet elegant motifs.

Do you like paintings? What’s your favourite style or subject? Do you hang or display pictures in your home?

Find them on my Etsy shops:

Vintage painting of Yorkshire village by the sea at V for Vintage London

Antique oil painting of ruined castle by a cliff at An Old Country House

Rugged mountain landscape will be listed at V for Vintage London

Highland landscape will be listed at An Old Country House

Visit VforVintageLondon on Etsy

Visit AnOldCountryHouse on Etsy

@vforvintagelondon on Instagram and Pinterest.

Victorian botanical studies #1

Long ago I purchased a set of antique watercolours depicting studies of flowers and plants. I finally added this one to my antique shop An Old Country House.

This picture is finely drawn and hand coloured, and represents four types of wild flowers. Pictured from top to bottom and left to right, these are:

– Chinese Arrowhead (aka Sagittaria Trifolia)
– Irish Heather (a type of wild bell)
– Common Cowslip
– (Scotch) Burnet Rose

It’s an exquisite original artwork from 19th century English school. I find it so delicate and elegant. My favourite flowers are the Irish Heather and the Burnet Rose.

Irish Heather bell

Scotch Burnet Rose

Thanks to its fine quality, it easily suits both modern and period / traditional interiors.

I’m a bit reluctant to let this go, yet I have a great number of paintings and a small flat..

Find it on my Etsy shop:

Victorian Botanical Studies at An Old Country House

Vintage and antique pieces

You might be aware from previous blogposts of mine that I am a collector of old pieces, some of which are listed in my Etsy shops. Here are some pieces that will soon be listed.

A selection of vintage pieces for my Etsy shop

A beautiful needlework picture depicting Pierrot. I love the colours and it’s of good quality, just ready for framing. I’d love it in a white frame.

A wooden box of solid wood in an unusual drop shape, a vintage or antique piece.

A stunning candleholder with aged patina and worn silver gilding. Marked with “Freud Ltd London (C)”. From the font type and patina it would appear to be antique. A quick search did not yield any matches.

A pair of carved bone masks. I normally don’t buy masks but these seemed a good pair of nice make.

Yesterday we were on a walk in the neighbourhood and I went to check one of the charity shops (thrift stores). Lately I haven’t been on the lookout for items to sell because there are plenty still on my shelves awaiting to be added to the shops.

Usually I’m perusing second hand fashion for quality pieces for own use, to support a circular economy that benefits charitable causes and doesn’t further burden our planet. So I buy used things instead of newly produced clothing that continues to unnecessarily use up the resources of our planet.

This time I happen to stumble upon pieces that I thought would be a nice addition for my vintage shop and didn’t want to leave them behind.

They soon will be listed, and hopefully later adorn a new loving home. For now I’m enjoying them on the mantlepiece.

The other pictures shown in this photo are also available for purchase (worldwide shipping).

My Etsy shops:

Vintage pieces : V for Vintage London https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/VforVintageLondon

Antique artefacts : An Old Country House https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AnOldCountryHouse

Repairing an antique chest of drawers

I really love this antique, probably Victorian, chest of drawers, despite its sad state.

Victorian chest of drawers in need of restoration

My hope is to one day being able to use it in my home – but before that, it will need at least a degree of TLC to make it functional, if not perfect. I might be in for a looong term plan…

Some time ago I made a start, by repairing one of the broken drawers: the back was partly broken and coming off, part of the sides were split and bits had come off.

The sides are being repaired – the clamps hold the parts in place while the glue sets. Note the back is still broken and the dove-tail joins are coming undone

To restore it, I used wood glue to reattach the parts that had broken off, while for the joins I opted for liquid hide glue because it’s reversible (this is what could be used for “proper’ restoration, as it can be later taken apart if needed).

This is the drawer after the repair

I’m quite pleased with the results!

Ideally, this work should be done in a garage or a workshop – that is, if you had one….

Letting it go

I’ve been steadily going through my belongings and sorting out my collections and generally “my stuff”.

This was prompted by wanting to “put some order” and moving some things into storage. I own quite a few beloved collections and finally decided to let part of these go.

Some items have been donated and others have been listed already, which feels good!

Here a few that have been or are looking for a new loving owner..

Original vintage sewing bust mannequin SUPAFIT Made in England with adjustable sizing. The vintage picture in the background is also being listed. (sold)

 

Beautiful flowerspray in white & blue jug still life composition

Lovely flowers and shades, from a Russian painter

The hues and motif is cheerful and peaceful, so I’m enjoying it on my wall until a new loving owner is found.

 

This antique 1930s British BSA bicycle has found a new home with a dad and son working on a restore project. They came all the way from a rather distant city to collect it! I would have loved to restore it, but enough time was not at hand….

After going through various thoughts and feelings, I am now ready to share the love – I will part with a sizeable part of my collections. It’s time to travel a bit lighter.

There will be:

• extensive collection of old patterns and magazines (knitting, crochet, sewing and crafts), antique cards & ephemera
• vintage jewellery
• antique books
• old items in silver and gold (flatware, home decor, table dressing, jewellery)
• vintage and antique paintings, china, tins and boxes
• quirk finds

I’m currently organising the items and this will take time. More beloved finds will be slowly listed over the coming months. It takes time to take photos and write descriptions 😉

Please get in touch should you be interested in some of these, I can provide details in advance, as well as quotes. I can ship to the UK and internationally.

My current listings can be seen here:

• My Etsy shop
• My eBay items