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Monday, September 24, 2012

Jockeying Around


Just got back from 
the Junk Bonanza
in Shakopee, Minnesota.
It was our fifth year attending
this great vintage show.

Have you ever been to a sale
where you passed something up
for whatever reason,
and you kicked yourself later
for not buying 
that "one" thing?


Well, last year 
I passed up these two 
cement horse jockeys 
that at one
time had held 
electric lanterns.




 I've looked ever since
to find something similar
but to no avail.
I only wanted one, 
which is why 
I did not buy the set last year.

Long story short,
one of these little guys
must have known I had been
thinking about him....


...because, as fate would have it
I walked into a shop 
on Thursday night, 
exactly one year later
and THERE HE WAS....
 standing in the doorway 
of our most favorite 
Minneapolis shop
called Hunt & Gather.




Needless to say,
 he made the trip home
with me this time.
He is standing 
at the front door right now, 
though I thought I would
put him in the 
powder room holding
a towel in his ring.

He is soooo heavy 
and is in chippy
shabby condition 
as you can see.

He's called "The Cavalier"
and the original statues date back
from 1776 to 1913. 
Read a complete
history of their design
evolution at a wonderful blog
posting by HorseCountryChic


So before
I show you him in his
new home here....

I need your input.
I want to hear what you think?

Should he stay at the front door
and be surrounded by mums and
seasonal fall foliage 
OR 
do you think he
would look better 
in my first floor
powder room 
serving up guest towels???

You decide! 
The voting starts NOW!!!

P.S. If you vote for the front door location,
what should I put in his wire loop? 
A little lantern or what?



37 comments:

  1. Well, how could I vote? I think he needs to pack his bags this very instant and get out to California! I have been searching and searching for a fine chap too! I even rang some doorbells and offered to buy a few of my neighbors. NOBODY wants to part with theirs! One day, one day! I think either place would be fantastic! the bathroom idea is so unique so if I had to vote, I might choose that.
    lucky lucky lucky YOU!

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  2. I think he'd look great on your front porch with a lantern or wreath or pumpkin in his hand. I would worry that the paint, which is flaking badly, might have lead in it which might be unsafe for in-home use. I'm glad you found your jockey again! Pamela

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  3. I used to have one...boo..where is he???I vote front porch holding nothing

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  4. I was going to say to put hi out front for Fall then move him to the powder room, but someone pointed out that he might have lead paint:( I still think he would be FABULOUS in the powder room. XO, Pinky

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  5. Hi! Lucky you... Definitely meant to be!
    I Think on the front porch as long as he is out of the weather. You wouldn't want to loose any more of his color. I have two ideas. First thought is... hang a vintage pail or basket form the wire in front. Then you can change out the flowers seasonally, mini little Christmas trees for the holidays would be sweet!
    Two set him on a brick and put him in the center of a galvanized little trough and plant around with paper whites and ivy ...or set plants around him and put moss in between. Then he isn't sitting in dirt getting more weathered by water,he would be elevated on a brick riser. The trough idea would be pretty as a focal point on a walkway too with in a big circle with boxwoods around it and planted inside!
    Have fun he is your lucky charm...
    xo,
    Gail
    http://www.casualloveselegance.blogspot.com

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  6. I vote to have him inside in the powder room. He will be protected from the elements (even though he's lived his life outdoors), and you'll get to enjoy him more because he'll be visible to you. That said, he such a great piece that he'll be perfect where ever you decide to give him a spot. What a terrific piece!

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  7. SO great you found him, Alison...and he will be fabulous wherever you decide to put him!

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  8. I think he would be perfect in the powder room holding a guest towel. What a great find, Alison.

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  9. Personally (but primarily 'cause our bathroom is too small to justify his presence) I'd put him out with the mums, Just seems the "natural" place for him...

    BUT your style is impeccable - and I know whatEVER you decide will be be perfect for the Polohouse.

    I'm SO glad you found him!

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  10. He looks like a two home kinda guy to me. A real aristocrat. Winters in the guest quarters and summers surveying his estate from the front door with a mint julip in hand.

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  11. Love him....and have always loved this charming figures. I personally am seeing him outside where everyone can enjoy him surrounded by fall mums and pumpkins and then surround him with beautiful Christmas decor when that sesason rolls around........wherever he goes I know he will add some style to the space!

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  12. oooooooo! I love him. I have been wanting one of these, too! Lucky girl! I love him by the front door with a sign saying, "The Polohouse" or "The Sherman's"
    xoxo

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  13. I have had a few items like that myself, not sure to get it or not, and then finally get lucky and snag it. I would certainly leave him at the front door to greet everyone during the fall season.

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  14. I think you should leave him at your front door for now. He would look just fabulous surrounded by fall decor... and then bring him in to celebrate the Christmas season with you... even if he is going to celebrate in the powder room!

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  15. Lucky you to have found him again! I vote to keep him outside surrounded with pretty mums and pumpkins! Whatever you decide Alison I know he'll look fabulous!

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  16. I choose powder room! That would be unexpected.

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  17. You should have bought the PAIR and then there wouldn't be a dilemma!!! Ha ha.
    I've seen such good comments here for both choices. I don't know how you will decide. But I DO know, that he will look great wherever he ends up.
    He's perfect for your house, and apparently he was WAITING for you.
    Enjoy.
    Can't wait to see the final results.

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  18. oh my goodness, he's so cool! What a difficult choice knowing just where to place him, but I suppose I'd vote bathroom =)

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  19. OMG, either place would be perfect for your home. Powder room would be very unexpected for sure.

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  20. I say a little guy like this needs to be appreciated in several places. First on the front porch with fall mums - maybe on the dining room buffet for Thanksgiving holding a menu card, then on the Christmas tour holding fresh greens. January, he can rest in the powder room! Too too cute not to enjoy in many spots! Susan at Romancing the Home

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  21. Oh bring the poor guy inside. How whimsy it would be to have him hand you your towel! Glad he waited a year for you and went home with you!

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  22. I vote for the porch. Mightn't it be a tad creepy having a little man in the powder room? ;)

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  23. i vote for the front porch. i know it is popular to use things in unconventional places but i vote for tradition. he will look right at home waiting for the reins and i know you will "dress" him up for all seasons. your style is always spot on. i'm glad he was patiently waiting on you to return and take hime home. Lyn

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  24. Hi Alison, Yes, I've done that to many times! Love the idea of this guy outside surrounded by glorious mums this fall! Actually love the idea of the powder room too. Either way show up what you decide. I know it will be gorgeous.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  25. I think I need to see the powder room and the front door where he would go? Can't decide till I see the actual spots you have chosen. Too many things to consider, size, shape, style of area. Help us out with 2 pictures please. Powder room and stoop.
    Cheers,
    Melinda Bennett

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  26. Oh what a great find...I have always admired them..representing horse farms...with colors and patterns depicting that particular farm...I love it...My vote?..I think it would be wonderful piece to welcome all who enter your beautiful home...holding a lantern, guiding the way...

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  27. i love the idea of having him inside because this is so unexpected.

    he was meant to be yours--how cool. visit soon.

    i am in sunny arizona at the moment and sending you smiles.

    michele

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  28. Alison,
    I love this guy. I think he's great on your front porch until the first frost then I'd move him into the powder room where he can work for his shelter by holding towels.
    Karen

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  29. He would look good at the front door, and whimsical in the Loo...
    Which ever way he is a fabulous piece to look at.
    Pat

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  30. He is a charmer for certain. Your heart must have gone pitter-pat when you saw him waiting for you.

    I vote for the powder room.

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  31. Love him! I have been trying to find a "reasonable" old Cavalier. Jockos are easier to find - and cheaper. Check Ebay too.

    I have a new cement one but the old ones are the best.
    Inside!!!! Then find another to go outdoors. Let this guy enjoy the winter inside. move him out for spring if you need to.

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  32. Glad you found your little guy again. My jockey loves it outside, never know when he'll need to hold a horse! He (and I) vote for outside with a lantern.

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  33. Well I'm new to your blog and loving it! But I love the unexpected use in the powder room! Maybe you could seal it for safety-sake!
    I miss getting to shop Hunt & Gather, you lucky thing! I never got out of there unscathed, and have some incredible finds to prove it!
    Catherine

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  34. Oh, I'll bet you had a blast! I say put him by the front door. I'll get in my car tomorrow (a Girl's gotta pack) and should be in your neighborhood in about three days, for pick-up! Don't want you hurting your back. I'll bring the fork lift! What am I talking about!? I don't drive a forklift! Furniture dolly, with a ramp like the gardeners use might work! Trial and error.

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  35. I say put him at the front! You might want to spray him with something to preserve and protect him. Hmmm.. what to put on his ring...maybe a cat or dog hangin like they tried to jump through it and got hung up....or maybe find a yard dog and put a leash on him and attach it to the ring...or maybe a horse attached by a rein!

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  36. Alison what a great find. I would leave them just the way they are.
    I'm sure you will put them to good use. Linda

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  37. You better not tell me you were at Junk Bonanza on Friday......

    ~Bliss~

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