Ion is also introducing an even more compact LP 2 GO which converts LPs only.  Think of them as the iPod of turntables – you can take them anywhere. – Terri

U 431 low chair in oak or walnut.  Produced from 1955 to 1958.

C 275 side chair in oak or walnut designed in 1957.

T 621 bench with cushion designed in 1955.

T 539 magazine table in oak or walnut, designed in 1949.

T 390 low table with magazine rack in oak or walnut from the 1950s.

4074 low table in oak with formica top, designed in 1970.

Combining mid century with antiques isn’t a revolutionary idea.  It softens the lines of modern, and adds layers of visual and textural interest that can make a space richer and more unexpected.  In our loft, Dale and I combine mid century furniture with a mix of antique primitives, ethnic carvings, and industrial pieces.  We love the unknown craftsman, and the sculptural aspect of everyday implements from a hundred years ago.

The good news is that with a bit effort and luck anyone find intriguing elements for very little money.  You just have to think outside the box and enjoy the hunt.  Here are a few details from our loft (I’ll show more of an overview at a later date).  – Terri

This 40-inch piece of driftwood (that grew around a stake) resembles a bird.  We mounted the driftwood ($20 at a antique shop in Maine) on a railroad tie discarded in our neighborhood.  Voila!

A view from above at a connected bandoleer of WW2 cartridges ($15 from a flea market) rolled up into one of Dale’s bowls.

This top of an old apple picker encages a stone found on the beach.  I rubbed the stone with powdered graphite, and buffed it until it looked like steel.  Picker $27.  Stone $0.

Above our kitchen cabinets, an antique cupboard door ($40) sets the stage for carved figures by Mexican artist Hippolito, purchased in the early 80s.

An antique fishing net holds a gourd that also has a powdered graphite stain.  Below are circa 1930s bronze doll head molds found at Brimfield about 10 years ago for $100.

An old fish with iron teeth carved from a buoy swims in front of the Boston skyline.  Found at a Texas flea market in the 90′s for $75.

An antique spinning wheel rests on the top center portion of our 60s Cado wall unit from Finland.  Below it are cast baby shoes from my mom, brother, sister, and me.  Wheel: $40.  Shoes: Priceless.

The sides and back of a 19th century Conestoga wagon found at Todd’s Farm Flea Market in the late 90s for $200.  We mounted the pieces on the wall as a gigantic triptych with the back floating in front of the side panels.  One of our favorite pieces!

FYI, we were supposed to close at 9pm last night but our staff decided to keep the doors open until the last customer left at midnight.  We thank them for their perseverance!  Cheers – Terri

Below are a few pics from last December.  Why stress yourself at the mall when you can actually have fun?

Happy Holidays from all of us at Abodeon! – Terri

For those who live in the Boston area, you might be interested in checking out our 1950s enameled copper that we just acquired from a local estate.  The woman was an enamelist, and inside a cabinet was over 100 exquisite bowls and plates that have been stored for over 50 years.

The selection includes both her work and others that she collected.  Every piece is as perfect as the day it was made.  Unfortunately, we can’t add these to our website because of the vastness of the collection.  Individual prices range from $14 to $30.  – Terri

Panasonic recently launched an online museum which features some of the company’s products and corporate history over the last 90 years forward.  Here you can learn about such design innovations as the 1972 Toot-A-Loop radio. Check it out here. – Terri

Although Abodeon specializes in vintage Scandinavian and studio crafted jewelry, we’ve also featured antique Mexican sterling for over a decade.  If you’re considering acquiring a piece, here’s a simple way to determine its general age.

Pre-1948. Mexico’s silver renaissance began in the 1920s, so most of the jewelry found today is from this time onward.  Until 1948 silversmiths commonly stamped jewelry with their maker’s mark and Sterling, or the fineness of the silver.  “Mexico Silver” or “Silver Made in Mexico” is also seen.  These pieces are usually 925 sterling and above in their purity.

Pre-1948 “Silver Made in Mexico” + 1948-1979 Eagle Mark

1948-1979. An eagle mark (frequently mistaken for a bell) is added to to the hallmarks.  Instituted by the Mexican government in 1948, the inside number on the eagle is either the city or the maker’s number.  The system failed because some silversmiths used fake or borrowed stamps and numbers to avoid fees.

1980-Present. In 1979 the eagle was replaced by a letter (dash) number system.  The first letter indicates the city (T is for Taxco, M is for Mexico City, etc.).  The second letter is the first initial of the silversmith’s last name.  The numbers are the silversmith’s number assigned at registration.  For instance, if the number is 25, the silversmith was the 25th person to register at the city’s assay office.

Exception:  Mass-produced Mexican jewelry is often without the letter/number marks.  These pieces are frequently stamped Made in Mexico and Sterling, or Mexico 925.  When in doubt, look at the mark.  Newer pieces are stamped with modern fonts in addition to lacking the wear and patina of older jewelry.

I’ll post more on the jewelry and silversmiths of Mexico at a later date. Happy Friday! – Terri