Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Dogs Rule on This Farm


I collect dog statues. Many of these are very old and were given to me by my Mother-in-law many years ago. Some are from Italy, Czechoslovakia, and England but most are from Germany. I haven't done much research on them and I have no idea how valuable they are but I love everyone of them.

I bought some of them, myself, from a company in Italy, called Castagna , because they were so realistic. I don't see them being sold anymore so I think the company went out of business.
The Wolfhound on the right bottom of the upper photo is probably the most valuable but you never know. It could very well be that the little Cocker Spaniel with no markings at all or the Lassie cup from Lancaster, England are much more worthy of being on Antique Roadshow. I guess I should have them appraised and someday I will. Until then, I will take good care of them and at some point give them to my grandchildren.
I just love each one, as they sit and guard my house . They don't require feeding, discipline or walking (like some dogs we know around here) and they will live forever. Of course they will never take the place of my real pooches but I just love their stately grace in my house.

Wanna-be's and other wonderful creatures...
Sometimes I see other animals that I just can't pass up and have to take them home with me. The Penguin is very old and has a sticker on it that says "Genuine Bisque" and the word "Penguin" written in script on the pottery itself.
The Moose, on the left is Italian and I just love him. What elegance. Did you know that a Moose is the largest cervid in the world. A male can weight up to 14oo lbs. Now, that's a big dude. Do you remember the series called Northern Exposure on T.V.? and the moose standing on the street in the intro? Can you imagine this animal walking down our streets here? Whoa Mama!
Still..., I'd like to see one some day.

Please link over to Colorado Lady's blog to see other vintage things.
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18 comments:

  1. Nice collection of critters.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Living it up at Lakewood,
    Cindy

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  2. No matter if they are valuable or not, they are valuable to you. But for the grandbabies you might want to check and see so they or someone they marry in the far distant future won't think of them as "just dust catchers"

    And Northern Exposure... I loved that show and that moose was a big one!

    Thanks for sharing your pups. And I don't think I told you that I love those photos of The Bean and Baby Bean that you have on your sidebar. Those are worth the trip over here!

    Helen

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  3. I love the moose! I have several stuffies of moose and bear at our house, and never tire of looking at them! You've got a nice collection of animals!

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  4. Oh, I love all of these collectibles. love dogs around here too. Have a great VTT!

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  5. I like how you put your photos in a collage. The dogs show their age on closer view. True vintage stuff. Check out some of mine on a previous post.

    http://tinyurl.com/nr6j7p

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  6. LOVE LOVE LOVE your pooches (and your dogs ain't bad either, lady!)
    I like the mug the best!I would put a bird nest inside it...hee hee!

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  7. My husband worked in Alaska, in a small town, for several months in the 80's and it was just like Northern Exposure. And yes, there were Moose, sadly you would see cars abandoned on the side of the road that had encountered a Moose. The Moose always won and the cars were totalled and often the driver hurt.
    Wouldn't it be fun to be on Antiques Roadshow..one of the few shows I watch..;p

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  8. Amazing that you have some from so many countries. Pretty and sweet at the same time.

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  9. What a great, nice dog collection you have. You have something to keep and hand down to another generation. They all are real treasures. Thanks for stopping by my place today. Also, I would love to have you drop by Tuesday 9-1.

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  10. WOW you've got a great collection!!..i loved watching northern exposure :)

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  11. I used to collect dog statues when I was little. Yours bring back nice memories. Your statues are beautiful and are real treasures!

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  12. What wonderful doggies they are..real treasures and great memories. Happy VTT..have a wonderful weekend.

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  13. Lovely collection of dogs!!

    My grandparents had an iron scottie dog nut cracker - - - you lifted his tail and put the nut in his mouth.

    I always WANTED that nut cracker, but being toward the tail end of 42 first cousins, it went to someone much farther up the line than me! I just hope THEY are lovin' that little thing.

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  14. I love the way you've shared your ideas about vintage and in particular the different ways we value our collections.
    One of the things I find where my little collectibles are concerned is that often the so-called less valuable are a better reflections of who we are because we collect them without any ulterior motives.
    When I look at one of the "china" horses I collected during the 50s it brings me back to a more innocent era - and some of your pieces do this for me too!
    Evelyn in Montreal

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  15. You just have to know...I love dogs!!

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  16. I just love animal collectibles. I have some little goats (what else? hehe) sitting on my desk right now along with a long horn bull. (Since I will probably never get to own any long horn cattle in real life)Your collection is very beautiful and very interesting!

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