5 min readPart of the allure of antique collecting is owning pieces with unique backstories. That's why a naturally curious person often makes a curator's dream house guest.
Some antique finds draw more attention than others, and we often refer to these objects as "conversation pieces." The term derives from a genre of 18th-century paintings that featured a group of people posed candidly in ordinary domestic and landscape settings. The artwork leaves room for interpretation and discussion about the scene it depicts, leading to natural bantar between those observing the piece.
Just like conversation piece paintings, antiques leave room for interpretation. It's nearly impossible to truly know the full story of an old artifact you stumble upon, but any clues you spot about the maker, previous owner, or original purpose make for a great dialogue.
Every avid antique collector keeps an eye out for certain show-and-tell pieces, so we asked three of them to share which ones they always buy if the price is right. Read on to learn the history behind these objects and tips on styling and sourcing them.
Staffordshire Spill Vases
Alexander Widener is the owner of Widener Company, an interiors shop and guest cottage in coastal Maine. Like many collectors, his love for decorative arts and old things began as a child, and he's amassed an impressive collection over the years.
His antique Staffordshire figures are his most asked about finds, articularly his deer-shaped spill vases. "While I use them now to hold tulips or daffodils, they were originally used on mantles to hold spills," Widener explains. "Spills were small pieces of paper or wood shavings. They were used as kindling or to light candles in the era before matches. You would pull a spill from the vase, dip it into your fireplace to light it, and then use it to light candles throughout the home."
The invention of matches made the need for spill vases obsolete, but their unique shape and stunning form practically beg for a conversation about their original use.
French Tapestries
Debbie Mathews LeRoy is the owner of Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs in Nashville, Tennessee, and she has been buying and selling fine European antiques for more than 30 years. One of her all-time favorite finds that she'll never part with is a large 8 x 14-foot 18th-century French tapestry that she purchased at a Paris flea market in 1997 and brought back home in a duffle bag.
"This majestic piece depicts a pastoral scene in soft muted shades of green, soft blues, terracottas, and golds," she says. "It covers almost an entire wall in my living room and creates a 'wow' moment when you walk into the space. I receive more comments and compliments on this piece than any other piece in my home."
According to LeRoy, tapestries were created during the Renaissance era to add an extra layer of warmth and shield castle walls from dampness and cold. They were also a status symbol of wealth and power. Today, tapestries serve as art, adding texture, warmth, and a layered interest to any space with a large wall. You can typically find them online or in person through antique rug and tapestry dealers.
Hunting Trophies
Justin Patterson is the co-owner of Black Stag Mercantile in Sparta, Missouri, where he sells antique home goods and vintage menswear. Throughout his shop, there are several antique and vintage hunting trophies for sale. Unlike many objects from the past, trophies often feature inscriptions that explain the who, what, when, and where behind them.
His favorite antique trophy he owns originates from 1602 in Trauchburg, Germany; the pewter piece features finely etched floral designs around the edges and a stag on top, as well as the names of the gentlemen on the hunt inscribed on the front.
"Trophies are classy and look great anywhere you put them," he says. "I like to add a few books and other small filler items around to make them stand out, but there’s really no wrong way to style a trophy."
Architectural Salvage
As old buildings decay and undergo demolition, repurposing or displaying architectural salvage is one way to preserve the beauty of the fading past. This could look like pieces of decorative stonework saved from the exterior of a building and displayed on a shelf, or even functional items, like doors and windows, that you use to give character to a new build.
"I always tell my clients how important it is to incorporate pieces that are unexpected to create architectural interest in their homes," says Mathews LeRoy. "One of my favorite pieces is an antique oval window from France, which is displayed in my mountain cottage in Linville, North Carolina. My contractor was definitely challenged when I asked him to incorporate this piece during our renovation, but now he agrees that it is truly one of the focal points in the home."
Oil Paintings
Both Patterson and Widener agree that one of the best ways to draw attention to an ordinary wall is by hanging up an antique oil painting. For Widener, it's oil portraits that speak to him the most. With a little patience and determination, he notes that you can find ones that date back to the 18th or 19th century in flea markets and on Facebook Marketplace for a good price. "People always ask if they are paintings of dead relatives," he says. "That's one heck of a way to start a conversation, if you ask me."
To date an oil painting, Patterson says to simply look at the back. Antique oil paintings made before the 1940s will often feature nails rather than staples and will show off a canvas color that's a tad darkened from age.
He also notes that it's a great idea to ask questions about the piece from the seller. His favorite oil painting from his own collection is an original, unsigned folk art oil painting that he purchased from its second owner. "He told us it was from an old estate house and had sat above the fireplace for more than 70 years," he says. "You can tell it has a lot of smoke and soot patina on the painting and frame, which I love."
