Featured Finds Thread

I have had lead crystal test as glass, rock crystal is quartz.

 

How high is high? As Marie has posted, rock crystal is colorless quartz.

Ah, not something I could tell from photo. The one necklace I have with faceted beads strung on chain like this is lead crystal, with lots of fire.

Have never seen this. What was the context? Engraved gems specifically? Or art more generally? When it comes to symbolism, there is plenty that is open to interpretation, but in this case, I am prepared to say that this is just wrong. The use of the butterfly to represent the soul (psyche) dates back to antiquity and was picked up again by neoclassical artists such as John Gibson:



In art, Persephone/Proserpina is most often shown being abducted by Hades/Pluto, or with the pomegranate that led to her permanent captivity. In glyptics the main source of imagery is coinage. This decadrachm from ancient Syracuse shows her conventional attributes: a grain stalk, not yet ripe, in her hair; tripartite earrings; pearl necklace; dolphins in the field around her.

 

Goofy Google lens said it could be Persephone. That is my favorite Greek/Roman myth, too.
Here's a picture the Presidium testing the necklace beads...wasn't an easy pic to take. Hubby wasn't home, I had to use the left hand to photo Pardon my dusty Presidium, it will be used to ID stones in a tray of rings. I will post a pic when I finish the tray.

 

I think it's new age reinvention with Persephone and the butterfly. There is a lot of that going on. And here's and interesting link that supposedly identifies Persephone's birthstones, which I like, because I adore vintage, quality garnets.


https://www.elementalmoonarts.com/j...ection featured a,, Fire Agate, and Carnelian.

 

If I understand the labeling correctly, the needle is just past the range for the quartzes, which is maybe what you would expect from glass with lead in it? Or perhaps from rock crystal with chain running through it? Just speculating.

 

Definitely some New Age-y free associating going on. Myself, I rather like fire agate. Although this person correctly identifies the etymology of 'onyx' & relates a pretty little myth about it, she (assuming she) does not seem to notice the discrepancy between black onyx & Venus' fingernails. There is plenty of black tourmaline in the world, but precious little naturally black onyx. They have been dyeing the mineral chalcedony since antiquity. Not sure what the spiritual implications are of an altered stone. My high school composition teacher would have been merciless with this: "hosted in it’s brown host".

Such a lovely fossil butterfly. One of my favorite goddesses is Cybele, who is often accompanied by a lion & lioness, who used to be Atalanta & Hippomenes. And this is Cybele bellatula:

 

those things actually walked the earth.......... makes me feel small... as it should !

 

I don't think so...the needle is not touching metal, lead crystal tests as glass. I have many vintage glass bead necklaces strung on metal, they tested as glass. Maybe others can weigh in.

 

Thank you!

 

They roamed the oceans. I'm always thinking it's the Cetaceous, when giant whales roamed the earth. Imagine being around when ammonites ruled, according to AI: from the Devonian to Cretaceous periods (over 400 million to 66 million years ago).



Now that's a find!

The Persephone butterfly is from the Eocene, my favorite name, the Dawn Era.

 

I have a hard time imagining 1 million years ago......... never mind 100 million !!!

 

Here is a necklace similar to mine.

 

The gem tester results can be off if the piece needs cleaning.

JMHO but I would call that rock crystal

 

Thank you. I have found if a piece needs cleaning, it tests a bit lower....so far.

 

I just noticed Marko is relatively near me (I'm in DE)

 

This week’s finds


Most likely Georgian Revival (c. $30). I’ll make a separate post in the furniture section for further discussion.

Very uncertain. Picked up for free from a farm barn. I’ll make a post in the furniture section for further discussion.


Early 19th-century bow-front chest of drawers, likely Regency period ($100)

 

while sales are TERRIBLE ( sold one thing out of 135 items on ebay last night )

have been finding lots around the thrifts yesterday (like it was all waiting for me to sweep up (so not much competition it seems )

never gonna sell this as its awesome, and tiny for an electric (which is perfect for me)

sort of knew it was a 60s teisco, and its been messed with with mirrors by the look (but not gonna complain about that with the price)

and very playable as well

Japanese made as well !!!

@bosko69

 

also found possibly the greatest piece of vintage clothing i've ever found (for my taste and that fits)

think i'd a paid over £70 for it

gotta be silk as well

not gonna be for sale either (not while i'm alive anyway)

 

it goes with your hat !!

I think in another life , you must have been an entertainer !!

 

that was NOT inexpensive when it was made for Mr. bower !!!