Two Barking Dogs

I looked around my house thinking seriously about some clutter removal (again), I wondered whether I was a collector of anything impressive, interesting, or even valuable. Are there things that I could never ever part with? or could I “kick it to the curb alert” easily without looking over my shoulder in regret? And, can anyone answer the question, “How many items make a collection?”

I will add some more photos of the junk, err .. I mean treasures .. that I collect from time-to-time. Buried in the cabinet (pictured below) are a bunch of different Black Labrador/Retriever items. Some Franklin Mint plates, a Beswick figurine, and a stirrup cup in the shape of a Lab’s head.

Here is a cabinet where I keep many of my treasures. It is also a staging platform for resale and donations! There is no method to the madness just a lack of organization.

This is one of my favorite collections. I bought all of these African Colonials when I lived in West Africa. These come from Ghana, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, and Nigeria. These Colonial figures are hand-crafted from wood and painted in a rustic, simple way. Originally, the statues were carved by women to indicate the qualities or characteristics they preferred in a husband. Later, they became representations of Western-inspired style which depicted occupations such as priests, doctors, and lawyers.

The guy in the white robe with the red sash is holding a bible. He is not a Colon figure, but came from a Ghanaian coffin maker. Here is a LINK to a page that has some really great photos. I have some of my own tucked away somewhere. If I ever find them, I will share them. Anyway, the guy with the bible was carved as an embellishment for a coffin that was being made for a local preacher in Accra.

I have been picking these pretty salt cellars over the past few years. I only find them at my favorite thrift store from time-to-time, but I’m always on the lookout for more. Years ago, I bought a set of six red glass covered chicken salt cellars. I gave them to a friend as a gift, and I’ve been looking for more ever since. That was almost 25 years ago.

I have a total of $5 invested in this collection of Pyrex bowls. They are the Crazy Daisy or Spring Blossom pattern from the 1970s. Don’t you just love the avocado green color?  I have a butter dish also – just can’t find it at the moment.

Here are some of my newest Pyrex additions. This bowl is the Terra pattern from the late 1960’s.

And another Pyrex – the Town & Country pattern, also introduced in the late 1960’s