Saturday, January 21, 2012

What's up with that?

 Well it is 19 degrees here in Missouri and I just walked Ms. Sissy Dog. We walked to the shop where it is not a lot warmer, the temperature says 44. I was closed yesterday and turned the heat off. it is going to take a few minutes to warm up, in the mean time I hope my cold, old, fingers will work,
    When I give tours at, My Old Historic House, I often have some one, usually a man, ask, "what's up with all the farm animal things here?" I guess I have a few, more than I realized till I started looking about and talking pictures for this blog. I'm not sure what gets us to collecting certain things? I am sure that we get ideals from other peoples collections, magazine articles and various other sources, like BLOGS. I grew up on a farm, around lots of real farm animals, and as an adult I have learned to love things with a farm animal theme. Lots and lots of us collect chickens. I am not sure if people even think about them being ,"farm animals." I raised chickens as a kid, they are a lot of work and we usually ended up eating them. But, to this day, I just love anything to do with a chicken. Statue, dishes, fabric,art and so on and so forth. Just about the same, I guess, goes for cows, sheep, pigs and goats. yes, I love me some pigs. They are about the dumbest animals on the farm, always in the mud, yet in art they are so darn cute.



I'm sure you remember my cow creamer collection?

   The fact is farm animals in art has been around since recorded time. We find paintings of them in caves, on costumes from the early American Indians and even in the tombs of Egypt's Kings and Queens. Animals have been the  favorite subject of many an artist paintings. We find them in needlework and carvings on our furniture.


I found these on Ebay.

This beautiful couple was made in Italy and they are larger than life size. They life on my kitchen island.

"Bessie" is in my kitchen. She is life size.

   I guess there are many different reasons why we like them, I really don't have a good one, but, I know I am crazy for them. I'd like to share some from, My Old Historic House, with you today. They range from  modest kitchen items to rare and fine porcelain. I wish you could come by someday and see them in person. I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will always meet you with a  jump and a kiss. Maybe you can be the next person to say,"what's up with this, all these farm animal things?"
   Stay warm, be safe and keep on Blogging. Don't forget to leave a comment, they make me happy and it will get you one in return.

I have a large collection of Mary Alice Hadley pottery, all with farm animal theme.





Staffordshire kids with a goat.

Early  Staffordshire cow creamer.

Staffordshire sheep, kitchen mantle



I got this hen many years ago from the Eddie Bower Home Store in St.Louis.

This little ring holder is very early,1845-1860-Old Paris 
This German Dresden piece is in my Up River Parlor. 

This was my favorite Christmas card this year, It was from my Niece, Linda.

This statue is in my shop and is for sale. It is very fine porcelain.Royal Copenhagen .I love the soft colors. Email me, cottrellprissy@aol   or call 573 242 9688 if you are interested.


This brown and white transferware plate is in my pantry/laundry room
Another brown and white transferware plate.