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Thrift Store Score – Vintage Brass Elephant

October 14, 2016  I Scored at the Thrift Store | Thrifting | Uncategorized

If you love vintage brass animals, you’ve come to the right place. I scored this beautiful brass elephant at the thrift store and the patina on it is gorgeous!

Vintage large brass elephant - brass is back and I love brass animals as home decor kellyelko.com

My dad was a hunter and collected all things ducks including a pair of brass Mallard duck head bookends. I always thought they were the ugliest things on the planet. Now I wish I had them.

Everything old is new again and brass is back in a big way. I have had a huge Moroccan brass tray tabletop (that I use as a tray on my coffee table) for over 10 years and added a $1 estate sale brass quail a couple of years ago. My latest brass find is a huge elephant.

Like a hunter in the Serengeti, I spotted the elephant through the thick brush (I mean through the clutter on the thrift store shelves).

Love this huge vintage brass elephant kellyelko.com

I pounced on it only to discover it was out of my budget.

I took a risky move and decided to leave the elephant and return in two days for 25% off Monday.

I drove home and waited and waited and bit my fingernails and waited some more.

On Monday morning, I headed straight to the thrift store in search of my beloved elephant.

HE WAS GONE!

As tears welled up in my eyes, I took a spin around the store over and over hoping to find him …

and finally I did.

Brass is back! Love this huge vintage brass elephant kellyelko.com

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I’ve been searching for more vintage brass animals to add to my collection. Here are some of my favorite brass finds.

 

The elephant is a symbol of wisdom so I’ll leave you with these words of wisdom …

What do you call an elephant in a phone booth?

Stuck!

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Comments

  1. ColleenB.~Texas

    October 14, 2016 at 5:34 am

    What a great find on that elephant. Beautiful guy he is.
    I Don’t dare show my hubby, as he also collects brass items. We are out of room for another display case.
    Best of luck to you on your brass collecting.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      October 14, 2016 at 6:02 pm

      I feel your pain Colleen – I too love to collect but I think I need a bigger house to show off all of my finds!

      Reply
  2. Lesley

    October 14, 2016 at 8:17 am

    LOL Maybe the duckhead bookends came from me! I got some as a Christmas present from family decades ago and used them for a bit and then gave them away to Goodwill.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      October 14, 2016 at 6:01 pm

      I think everyone had those bookends Lesley! Next time I see them in a thrift store, I’m going to scoop them up!

      Reply
  3. Pat Schwab

    October 14, 2016 at 9:00 am

    Kelly, I once saw a little cobbled together vanity that I fell in love with at Goodwill. It was above my budget too. I left without buying it. I was in my car ready to leave but couldn’t get the vanity out of my mind. I called hubby and asked him to meet me there on his way home. I had a coupon and figured it would be less than $20. We went in and it was gone ( panic mode). I asked employees about it and Yes!!! it was still there but had been moved. My daughter used it a few years but has given it back and one day I will find the right spot for it again. My husband thought I was nuts but you understand my feelings. When we fall in love with something old and maybe cobbled together and have to bring it home. Pat S

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      October 14, 2016 at 6:00 pm

      Ah the dreaded panic that someone scooped up our find! I’m so glad you got it Pat – I think you need to find a spot for it right now!

      Reply
  4. Jeanne

    October 14, 2016 at 9:48 am

    That’s a great score! Everytime I purge my house (admittedly rare), I eventually regret what I gave away. Now bemoaning a copper pitcher that I donated a few years ago, before copper was so in! I feel the pain of the duck bookends.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      October 14, 2016 at 6:00 pm

      I understand but have so much stuff, I have to purge! I don’t want to be on the show Hoarders!!

      Reply
  5. Summer

    October 14, 2016 at 9:58 am

    That is a gorgeous elephant ♥

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      October 14, 2016 at 5:59 pm

      Thank you Summer!

      Reply
  6. Jamala

    October 14, 2016 at 11:41 am

    Excellent! You feel like I felt when I find the brass swan gracefully perched on the Goodwill shelf for 1.75 (shown on my Instagram page) I love your elephant. My Gma used to collect them…hmmm..I think it might be catchy.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      October 14, 2016 at 5:58 pm

      Lucky you Jamala! $1.75 – what a steal and I am sure that swan looks even more graceful in your house!

      Reply
  7. Megan

    October 14, 2016 at 4:20 pm

    I love old brass animals (and candlesticks too!). My hubby has an obsession with hippos so I always look for those. But I love elephants and giraffes. I tend to pick up a few here and there, depending on price. I even found a few frogs and dinosaurs for practically nothing at an auction. One of my best auction buys yet!!!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      October 14, 2016 at 5:56 pm

      Hippos?! I used to collect mouse figurines when I was a kid. Keep on collecting Megan!

      Reply
  8. Marlene Stephenson

    October 14, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    I like your elephant he’s really a nice piece to your great collection. That joke was very clever!! lol!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      October 14, 2016 at 5:55 pm

      I’m just glad nobody scooped him up Marlene!

      Reply
  9. Mary Wilson

    October 15, 2016 at 9:09 am

    The elephant knew he was yours. So he waited until you found him. Lol

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      October 15, 2016 at 1:38 pm

      I’m glad he knows who’s boss!

      Reply
  10. Mimi Hanna

    October 17, 2016 at 5:51 pm

    When we visited India several years ago on a tour….I became enamored with elephants..
    They are revered in India and if you own one you are considered quite wealthy …I had the
    pleasure of riding one…quite an experience…having a statue of one is supposed to bring you
    Good Luck…usually they are made of Brass…but many are made from a Faux Ivory? Makes
    an interesting collection….

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      October 18, 2016 at 9:12 am

      My husband has been to India many times for work. I always wanted him to bring me saris or statues but he is not a shopper. Maybe I’ll get there one day and ride an elephant!

      Reply
  11. Kathy

    October 27, 2016 at 11:06 am

    I am always on the lookout for brass animals for my space in a vintage shop. I recently found two foxes, a pineapple, and a lion. (I know a pineapple isn’t an animal.) All sold immediately! You are right! Brass is back!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      October 27, 2016 at 6:16 pm

      brass is back big time! glad you found some beauties!

      Reply
  12. Jerry zipfel

    August 17, 2018 at 6:45 pm

    Hi u have a great brass collection I have A LOT OF BRASS IM LOOKING TO SELL;) I’m from Wisconsin and have like 8 or ten brass EXTRA LARGE BRASS ANIMALS. VINTAGE ALSO. please email me for pictures I have a 2’ tall or taller swan. Just so u know I’m real it’s from Doliby Cashier also

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      August 18, 2018 at 4:13 pm

      Hi Jerry – I’m not in the market for any brass animals. Try selling on Etsy or Ebay

      Reply

KELLY

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Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



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Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
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