Object of the Day: A Vintage Portrait

Those of us who prowl around antique malls see all sorts of merchandise. Much of it is authentic—real antiques. However, there’s a spate of convincing-looking objects which are either relatively new or fresh from the factory. When you’re buying an object, make sure that you know what you’re buying—especially if you’re paying “antiques” prices for market materials.

When I first bought my house and was initially furnishing it, I was basically looking for things to fill these Victorian walls and was drawn to anything that I thought fit the theme. Thankfully, I have a background in art history and knew what I was looking at. I came across this portrait. With its velvet inset and hobnail details, it has the look of a Victorian miniature painting on board. However, I knew immediately that it wasn’t.

It is, however, vintage and interesting in its own right. This item was produced by the Turner Manufacturing Company in Chicago, Illinois between 1960 and 1975. It’s part of the company’s line of “Royal Portraits.” The Turner Manufacturing Company was the country’s largest producer of low-cost, attractive home décor and served the “five-and-dime” community. Their products were actually very high quality objects and reproductions. Most Turner products are clearly marked on the reverse with a rather obvious label.

If you’re browsing an antique shop and looking for a nice-looking, low-cost piece, you might keep your eyes open for items that had been produced by the Turner Manufacturing Company. While they’re not going to cost you the few cents that they originally did, you can get most of them for less than $60. You won’t be getting a family heirloom, but you will get an attractive object which will stand the test of time.

Decorating Tip: Creating the Unexpected

Part of keeping your home décor exciting is adding something unexpected. Decorating during The Belle Époque was about color, elegance, excitement and showcasing important, interesting objects. We can employ this principle today in our own homes.

For example, you can display a picture in an unexpected place. Not only does this add excitement to a room, but serves as an excellent way to create the perfect backdrop for something you value.

In my own home, I display paintings in unusual places all the time. I think this creates drama in the room. You can hang a picture on a bookshelf, in front of drapery on a window (making sure the painting is protected from damaging light), you can lean a picture on a chair that’s never used or create a grouping with a picture and other objects on a desk or sideboard. Use your imagination. The possibilities are limitless.