Flea Market Find: Vintage Portraits
Pick up some of these original selfies and other portraits on your next weekend scavenger hunt
When choosing a vintage portrait, it all boils down to personal preference. Perhaps a certain one reminds you of your favorite aunt. Maybe one looks how you envision your spouse will in 20 years. Whatever your reason for picking one up, you’ll be in good company, as these paintings and photos are trending big time. Read on for tips on buying and incorporating them into your home.
A series of portraits makes for an instant collection. It may take you some time to create, but if you’re passionate about the hunt, hit the flea market often. You never know what this weekend’s will bring.
Black and white photographs from the 1930s are popular flea market finds. They’re often found in a simple old shoebox sitting on a table. Rummage through the box for a stylish steal.
Buying tip: If you find a handful of photos you’re drawn too, ask the vendor for a bulk discount. You can usually score a better deal if you’re buying five or more.
Buying tip: If you find a handful of photos you’re drawn too, ask the vendor for a bulk discount. You can usually score a better deal if you’re buying five or more.
When you do find these treasures, think about their end use. Try to snag some items that will work well on a gallery wall. A major setup like this one shows that you take your style seriously.
Portraits from the 1940s are fairly common, and they often come signed. Search the web to see if the signature holds value before inquiring about a lower price from the vendor. Be discreet; an overheard inquiry can often lead to neighboring shoppers showing interest. You don’t want to get into a bidding war.
1940s oils may be the portraits of the moment, but photographs and paintings from the ’60s also pack a lot of style. These may be a little harder to come by at a flea market, as they tend to be more of an estate sale item.
Buying tip: An alternative to scouring the markets is to buy a reproduction piece online. A great large-scale photo with lots of color will do the trick.
Buying tip: An alternative to scouring the markets is to buy a reproduction piece online. A great large-scale photo with lots of color will do the trick.
Vintage portraits are often in less than ideal shape. I scored one of my favorites, a 1940s oil, in what was essentially a box of dirt. Be careful about how you clean your new find. Don’t let the painting come in contact with any liquid. Instead, take a clean, soft cloth and slowly rub off any dirt or debris. A little age adds its own charm, though, so no need to scrub — which can also risk scraping off paint.
Though vintage oil portraits are highly coveted, black and white photos aren’t nearly as popular. You can get one for as little as $5, making them a super affordable way to test the waters of this trend.
Enhancement tip: Invest in a frame and mat to make your vintage photo stand out. Try a gilded frame for a great-looking, stylish combination.
Enhancement tip: Invest in a frame and mat to make your vintage photo stand out. Try a gilded frame for a great-looking, stylish combination.
Vintage oil portraits are commonly discovered without a frame. If you do find one framed, try to disregard a little damage. Chances are an expert framer has experienced something similar. He or she can patch and putty the imperfections.
Buying tip: If you find a framed piece with a little damage, ask the seller for a discount. Sellers usually understand the expense of fixing up vintage finds and would rather help you out than lose the sale.
More Flea Market Finds
How to Shop for Vintage SignsDecorating With Vintage Ladders
Buying tip: If you find a framed piece with a little damage, ask the seller for a discount. Sellers usually understand the expense of fixing up vintage finds and would rather help you out than lose the sale.
More Flea Market Finds
How to Shop for Vintage SignsDecorating With Vintage Ladders
Buying tip: Instead of shopping local markets every weekend, make the investment of traveling to a large market that hosts many vendors. It’s a great way to see hundreds of options at once.