I found these fancy little fellas during the great “junkapalooza” that I embarked upon last year with my antique-savvy girlfriends. Among Granny and Grumpa’s walls of dolls and Coca-Cola memorabilia was an extensive brass collection.
I have a thing for brass; it calls to me like a siren’s song. I saw collections of cats, and ships, and a bevy of swans.
Then I saw the horse heads.
The other girls looked at me a bit strangely. Why on earth is she clutching those brass horses? Is she actually going to BUY those?
But I refused to let them go. And when Grumpa said , “$20 for the pair.” I nearly choked on my surprise. I usually paid a few dollars for brass. Never more than $5.
I debated the decision, shifting the weight of the heavy horse heads in my hands. Is this worth the splurge? Do I have a home for them?
Will I ever find brass horse head bookends again?
I handed Grumpa the money and gleefully carried my steeds out to the car.
My original plan? To paint them. I was going to paint these dapper geldings with a coat of off-white paint. They’d look almost porcelain.
But now, standing proudly on either side of a selection of my antique books – books that have been gifted to me by my grandfather over the years – I can’t help but think, “Doesn’t this look right?
Should I paint them?
Or should I leave them?”
They’re tarnished – there’s no doubt. But they’re also a bit flashy. Will I regret that coat of paint? There’s no doubt that painting them will most likely NOT be able to be undone.
I’m calling upon you, readers – what do you think?
Paint them?
Or leave them?
23 comments
Bethany
Leave them! They’re fab as is!
Tara
Thank you, Bethany. I think that’s the way I’m leaning towards… they are quite pretty in their original brass.
Annie
Leave them they are perfect. Your so lucky to have gotten them. I bet they make you smile each time you see them.
Tara
I do love them. I’d been looking for a horse “bust” (?!?) for a while, and to stumble onto TWO!?? I was pretty tickled.
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs
I vote leave them, they’re perfect!
Tara
They’re quite the find for a (former) horse girl, aren’t they!??
Amber at Used
Do not paint these Tara! They look gorgeous as is.
Tara
I’m leaning towards leaving them au natural. I love how many people have defended the brass!
sarah
leave them! they look amazing and brass is a neutral:) great find.
Tara
I love how confidently you say, “Brass is neutral”. I get nervous when it comes to mixing metals, but if brass can stand alone as a “I match everything”…
Sarah
It can! I love metallics and I think of them as classics. Like beige but better:)
Tara
Oh, I love that “Like Beige but Better”… You’ve created a tagline there, lady!
Erin
Leave em for now, you can always paint them later….
Tara
That’s true, Erin. I could just enjoy them like this now… and if I ever get sick of them….
mary scott
Leave them – besides brass/gold is big this year, isn’t it?
Tara
You’re so right. Brass and gold are very much in!
Lorie
I would leave them. They are perfect.
Tara
I think I’ve decided to go that way. Who knew!??
Krista @ the happy housie
I don’t know, normally I would always say paint them. But they look pretty amazing as they are… I would be tempted to leave them, even though I can’t believe I’m saying that!
Tara
I know. I usually paint everything too… it’s weird to leave them as is.
But I think I am!
Jan P
OMG these are gorgeous! DO NOT PAINT! When you tire of them, sell them to me for$20. then you will have enjoyed them as long as you want and will not be out any money!
Tara
So true… I’m sure a brass aficionado would pay $20 for them. Maybe.
You should see how cheap brass is at the thrift stores. Maybe it’s altering my perception?
Diane
I love erm…very retro…leave them, you can always annie sloan them later if you get sick of the gold!