Flea Market Find: Brass Creatures Warm Up the Room
Work some classic bling into your home with these 10 ideas
Brass animal figurines, popular in the 1960s, are highly collectible. These little beauties are commonly found at flea markets or your grandparents’ house. Don’t overlook these shiny hand-me-downs — there’s always room for an extra swan, giraffe, deer or crane in your menagerie.
1. A cool pair of flying cranes adds an eclectic element to a media shelving unit. You can score a perfect set for as little as $50. Shop often and compare prices to get the best deal. A little haggling can also help.
2. Brass bookends are a little harder to come by than the solo figurines. They also tend to be more expensive when you find them as a pair. But you can also create your own combination since the partners have often become separated. If you see a pair that speaks to you, snag it. At a flea market, you might pay up to $100, depending on the type of animal. To bypass the time and effort that goes into the hunt, you can opt to pay a bit more and buy them online.
3. A little patina isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s very common to find brass critters in this state. You have two options: One, use a little polish to rub the discoloration right off. Two, leave the figurine as is and let its age shine through.
Cleaning tip: A little lemon juice can clean things up quickly. Cut a lemon open, sprinkle it with salt and rub it directly onto the brass. Buff the figurine with a soft cloth once the juice has covered it entirely. Add salt as needed.
Cleaning tip: A little lemon juice can clean things up quickly. Cut a lemon open, sprinkle it with salt and rub it directly onto the brass. Buff the figurine with a soft cloth once the juice has covered it entirely. Add salt as needed.
4. Every now and then, you’ll come across a flea market stand that’s chock-full of these midcentury finds. Certain sellers specialize in just brass animal figurines. If you’re looking to add a handful of different animals to your shelves, ask if the seller will give you a higher discount if you buy in bulk.
5. A pretty pair of cranes looks as if it came straight out of an episode of Mad Men. Your fireplace is the perfect spot for them. These tend to be priced similarly to matched bookends.
6. Larger brass objects are harder to come by. They’re rarer since not nearly as many of them were made. They’re essentially the size of a piece of furniture, so you’re going to pay a higher price — perhaps $400 or more.
Repurposing tip: If you love this look and also need a new side table, make your purchase serve double duty. With some dedication, you can hunt down a large figurine complete with a glass top. It may cost you a couple of hundred dollars more, but you’d probably pay that for a new table anyway.
Repurposing tip: If you love this look and also need a new side table, make your purchase serve double duty. With some dedication, you can hunt down a large figurine complete with a glass top. It may cost you a couple of hundred dollars more, but you’d probably pay that for a new table anyway.
7. Add a little personality to your shelves with some lovely cast birds. These creatures often fly together, meaning you can find instant collections at the flea market. It’s common to see swans sold in a trio of small, medium and large.
8. While small cranes can be found for as little as $50 (and up to $150), larger ones cost more. If you’re just dipping your toe into this look, start small, then work your way up to the big leagues of brass.
9. A resting deer sits sweetly on this nightstand. A rare find like this takes a little bit more time to come by.
Buying tip: The most commonly found brass animals are cranes, ducks and swans of all sizes. Cranes are usually found in pairs. Ducks are often found in the form of bookends. Swans are usually found solo, but also as miniatures in sets of three or four.
Buying tip: The most commonly found brass animals are cranes, ducks and swans of all sizes. Cranes are usually found in pairs. Ducks are often found in the form of bookends. Swans are usually found solo, but also as miniatures in sets of three or four.
10. One of my personal favorites are brass crabs. Fun fact: The crabs often look normal from the outside but have a lid that lifts up. You can stash a little jewelry in there.
More Flea Market Finds: Vintage Signs | Vintage Ladders
More Flea Market Finds: Vintage Signs | Vintage Ladders