Thrifted Treasures Series - Part 14: A European Affair
Deb Spofford
In this curated collection of our Thrifted Treasures Series, I’m sharing a few more items found in Germany and The Netherlands. Europe’s long history of craftsmanship makes it a wonderful place to treasure hunt!
These finds include hand painted pottery, beehive glassware, functional pewter measuring cups, a small pitcher made in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), and an array of spoons in captivating sizes. Let’s start with pottery!
German Pottery
I found this pitcher in charity shop in Fulda, Germany…I love its beautiful amber color and the hand painted design.
These are beehive glasses. The name comes from the unique shape of the stems. I’m curious…Have you seen these before? You can find beehive glasses online in amber, green, blue, and yellow.
I was drawn to the color and shape of these items. And…they make a nice addition to the amber glass collection I started several years ago. They are testament to the meticulous craftsmanship that graced European tables in eras gone by.
Spoons of Every Size
Everyday utensils fascinate me and make marvelous travel souvenirs or gifts. They tuck easily into your suitcase and will flood your memory bank every time you use them! Every piece has its own unique personality and purpose.
These spoons were found in Haarlem, The Netherlands.
Haarlem Museum
After I purchased the larger spoon…I saw this one in a museum. So very similar!
Small Pitchers
I say you can NEVER have too many small pitchers! Use them for sauce, as a vase, to style on a book case, or to pour syrup on your pancakes!
They are both practical and pretty!
This little green pitcher, believed to be part of a cream and sugar set, was made in the GDR (Eastern Germany). We toured the memorial at Point Alpha outside of Fulda where the iron curtain separated East and West Germany. We learned so much from our friends and the tour! Education is a benefit of travel!
Metal Lunch Box
This little box was used in lunch boxes…possibly in military mess kits. The handle has a clip on it that hold the lid tight.
Pewter Measuring Cups/Tankards
These pewter pub measuring cups or tankards were found in a small town outside of Amsterdam. They are super heavy and Tim actually carried them back to the States in his carry-on bag. The seller told us that they were used in pubs to measure drinks and ingredients for beer brewing.
We purchased a set of three small cups and two larger cups with “hanging” handles. I look forward to styling these for future photo shoots!
I hope you’ve enjoyed imagining the stories behind these thrift items and have been inspired to add something “found” in your own spaces.