Local Treasure Hunt!

I found this "Thiebold-esque" original acrylic at the Alemany Flea Market, San Francisco, California. The artist is Scott Smith.

I happen to enjoy the thrill of the hunt – treasure hunt that is. I suppose this weakness goes all the way back to the Easter Bunny and the wonderful memories I have of our hunt for colored eggs in the garden. I’ve never gotten over that.

This “Stueben-esque” vessel was found at Judith Frost Consignment, Palo Alto, CA. It is a signed piece.

Fast forward to the present (actually, the last 25 years of my life) and I find that I still love the thrill of the unexpected. I usually set out late morning, plan my route and set off. The Peninsula, south of San Francisco seems to be my most successful hunting ground. I am frequently joined by friends, and make it a day, complete with lunch at some great little spot like Café Primavera at Allied Arts in Menlo Park or the little French Bakery Douce France at Town & Country Village in Palo Alto.

This fabulous bronze was acquired at St. Matthew's Thrift Shop in San Mateo, California.

A few of my favorite (and successful) haunts are Judith Frost Consignment in Palo Alto, the Alemany Flea Market in San Francisco and the Thrift Shop at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in San Mateo. These are just a few of my recent finds. Judge for yourself. All were under $25.

Barbara Ashfield

To Have and to Hold

The word vessel has more than one meaning. In this instance I am speaking of vessels that hold things, and not necessarily of the tangible variety. Vessels can hold the elements as in air or water, or they can hold flowers or photographs, jewels or buttons. They can hold memories. Vessels can appear empty when they are full, as the glass that holds water. Things that contain things have always mystified me. Esoterically, we may call ourselves vessels – each of us containing essence, emotion, and intellect, some of us more startling than others.


A classic glass urn I purchased in San Francisco.

I have become a collector of vessels, predominantly glass but also the rare piece of silver, stone or ivory. These pieces occupy places of importance throughout my home and are situated in the best possible places for the best possible viewing. If it’s glass, I want the sun to shine through it, if it’s china, as in my teacups, I want to enjoy their beauty with the ritual of ceremony, if it’s pottery, I want something earthy in it, and so on.

My beautiful coffee cups I bought as a birthday gift to myself.

The more stoic pieces have been strategically placed on important surfaces such as my grandmother’s writing desk or my burl wood cocktail table. I love each and every one of them differently, and with each piece, I can remember in an instant the first time I saw it, purchased it or received it – some from flea markets, and some from shops that have gone by the wayside. Some were acquired at my favorite consignment shop in Connecticut. Many were purchased on travels, once the vessels containing condiments purchased on foreign shores. Following are just a few of my favorites among favorites…

My all time favorite. An Alvar Aalto vase purchased at The Silk Purse in Ridgefield, CT.

A vesssel of old mustard jars for my colored pencils and brushes.

My Mother's Baked Alaska mold.

Evidence of my coffee habit.

A 1960's jar from Joseph Magnin.

Barbara Ashfield