The last time I went to an appointment across town from my apartment about a year ago, I made sure that I didn't go home until I found something on the curbs to pay for it. I walked for over 90 minutes until I finally found a bag of 6 Apple Airport Express routers that I sold for $419.
After going to the same place yesterday, I decided to try to repeat my approach. I walked for quite a while in the late afternoon, even perusing some thrift stores I used to frequent. I bought two bags of groceries along the way, and didn't stop until I found something to meet my goal...
The Magic:
While walking around a couple that was collecting cans/bottles from a large pile of bags, I noticed a few clear bags of VHS tapes and old electronics. It looked like an older person or couple moved out from a nice building, so I put my groceries down and looked closer. After moving a few bags the others had glazed over, something shiny caught my eye.
I popped the bag open to pull it out, a simple branded pewter plate. It wasn't expensive, but when I find these types of things outside, there are usually more. After shuffling around in the same bag, I pulled out a vintage pewter candle holder. I then pulled out some small bowls and some assorted other items.
P.S. I have an Italian Pewter garbage bin in front of me here that currently retails for about $800. Pewter can be valuable sometimes, but it wasn't the case yesterday. Damn, I should probably get the bin listed!
Back to the story, it's fairly common to find silver-plated or Sterling Silver items. However, when checking the engravings/stamps underneath, I saw "Silver" for pure silver. One item was .925 Sterling, which was still great! The other small bowls seemed to be silver as well, and this is supported by the prevalence of silver being used in these these types of bowls.
Trash:
(I didn't take everything, but left the remainder for others to find)
Treasure:
(Pure Silver & Sterling Silver after polishing tonight)
It seems that these are Tibetan Buddhist offering bowls or related to this niche. One is stamped with "D.W.", and one is engraved with small characters I can't read. The vertical piece in its stand is sterling silver, and it had a small card inside which referenced pure silver being handmade in Greece. I'll presume that this card was meant for another piece because sterling silver isn't pure silver. Either way, it was a nice clue. Is the small vase-like item possibly for incense?
This beautiful bowl is my favorite. The detail is incredible! I also think there may be gold finish or plating on it, which is easier to see in the pictures below. I'm happy that I saved it.
The bottoms showing some stamps.
Are these numbers or characters?
Inside the elephant bowl.
See the gold tone as backdrop and accents? From image searching, I have a hunch that it's some form of real gold.
Here's another view of the stamp I can't make out. Hopefully it's in the right direction. Any ideas?
While I often find Sterling Silver jewelry, this was a unique find for me.
This isn't my typical sold items post, but I felt that this was a nice example to share.
If anyone has any additional input on what these are or where they're from, please share. I have to do more research, but will likely just put them away for now and focus on finding/selling other stuff. I have lots of traditional items like this from over the years that may have some good value, but I don't know how to determine exactly what they are, or how much they're worth.
Oh, and I also paid for my appointment by delivering a $175 cash recycled Miele vacuum sale to the buyer who lived within walking distance of where I was visiting.
But wait, there's more. I went back out in my neighborhood late at night and found more.
El fin for now.
Thanks for your interest and support,
@steemmatt