one and a half euros

Some readers may remember an earlier post about a wooden hand painted Austrian box I found filled with treasures at the flea market in Vienna . I paid one euro for it. Well I have been back to Austria (surprise) and this time I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a small flomarkt in a beautiful church in Baden, a beautiful town just outside of Vienna. I lined up with the locals for the opening of the market at 9 am. In this picture you can see some ancient ruins that I will tell you about in another post.

I made the rounds , starting in the basement but didn't find very much until I reached the last table just before the large collection of books that were for sale. It was here that I found a beautiful old tin with a hinged lid for 1.5 euros. 

The tin was actually made in england and probably contained some toffee candy or some other sweet treat at one time but here it was filled with another kind of treat. Just the kind I was on the look out for.

The contents included a needle holder, a very old molded wax ornament, tiny tea spoons, hankies, hand and machine embroidered ribbons, and some of the most beautiful handmade lace trims I have ever seen.

I just love how whoever embroidered this ribbon changed colors from black to white when they ran out of thread. My absolute favorite is the trim that on quick glance looks like a double row of ric rac but on closer inspection each section is hand turned and then an absolutely tiny intricate design has been created in the inner diamonds. Who ever made this piece of art has won my great admiration. 

This box was only one of the treasures I purchased from this last table. I hope to share the rest of them tomorrow, and over the next week my hikes up in the hills, the wildflowers , trees, moss , lichen and then my discoveries in the museums of Vienna. I am getting ready for the show at bookhou that starts this friday and preparing for the potential flu pandemic. My life is so very interesting :)

Comments

[mayaluna]

This tin found the perfect new owner! And you found your trims!!! How perfect. I love that diamond one so much. Sounds like a wonderful trip.

[joanie]

I love these kinds of surprises! Little boxes like these have usually been owned by someone who has lived through the war and experienced severe rationing. Everything is kept and so much is handmade. I do the same as you, hold and study every item inside. These laces and trims are amazing. Imagine the hands that made them, such talent. Hope you had a lovely trip, Austria is so, so beautiful.

[Mathyld / encore petite]

OH MY GOODNESS, Margie !!!
What a lucky lucky find !
Vintage lace trims AND tea spoons ... TINY teaspoons ?
Why but this is a box down from heaven !

Note to self : find a very quick and cheap way to go to Austria. NOW !

x x x
___mathyld___

[melissa]

oh, wow. i adore those beautiful treasures! lucky you, margie.
i had no idea you were in austria! yes- your life IS very interesting. :)

[Adamandia]

This morning I signed on to check out all my favorite blogs...and on yours I see ....I can't believe it...I have the SAME tin box. It was my grandmother's. I think her brother gave it to her after a trip from England...(my dad doesn't remember where she got it exactly)...WOW this was a great morning eye opener...

[Patricia]

I think you finding this treasure of a tin is the definition of kismet. I can just imagine the woman who lovingly stored these items in the tin in the hopes that you would find them and give them the respect they deserve.

[meredith]

i love markets in europe! i used to live there, so i miss them. i find that prices are actually more reasonable there for the flees than they are here! i am going to kane county flee market this weekend and i am so excited!

[Siri]

So, this is what you've been up to!
I can only imagine your excitement, both the first time, and everytime since that you've seen that box and each of its contents.

[andrea gutierrez]

what a truly amazing find! such treasures from half way around the world :)
p.s. thanks for coming and 'visiting' my blog. your comment was wonderful :)

[Summer]

Crazy! What a wonderful find! I'm hoping to talk my sister into going to a rummage sale for me on Friday (she's in another state)...hopefully she'll find some treasures for a buck or two! :)

[brooklyncodger]

Sigh. Lovely.

[Amber]

I am living in Sweden atthe moment and we have a 'loppis' market in my town each Saturday and I always get the best little treasures. I look forward to it each week. I wonder what I will get this week? I also love finding trims, ribbons and lace. You box is such a wonderful treasure and so very cheap!