Antique Quest Chronicles: Discovering Sawbridgeworth's Cromwell Antique Center

Table of contents

First Impressions Treasures Discovered Final Steps and Observations The Unexpected Finds A Rewarding Visit Next Adventure Awaits

In the charming town of Sawbridgeworth, my antique hunt led me to the illustrious Cromwell Antique Center. This quest uncovered rare treasures, including a Saturno sterling silver wasp figurine, a wooden duck decoy with a rich history, and a Great Eastern Railway horn pea whistle from the 1890s.

Discover the hidden gems of Cromwell Antique Center through an engaging journey of historical treasures and intricate craftsmanship. Dive into the world of antiques where every piece tells a story of the past.

AI-generated image description: This is a map depicting my journey from Vienna to London Stansted Airport by airplane, and then from Stansted Airport to Sawbridgeworth with a change in Bishop's Stortford by train. The left side of the map shows the flight path from Vienna to London Stansted Airport. The right side of the map focuses on the train route from Stansted Airport to Sawbridgeworth, highlighting the transfer at Bishop's Stortford.
Source: Stable MARK - own work

In the first part of my Sawbridgeworth journey, I visited a charming antique shop. I was satisfied with the items I found and bought there. But with only three objects, I was far from making this journey profitable. I needed items with more value. The more expensive the items are, the higher the margins should be. So, with that in mind, I headed 50 meters down the road to the Cromwell Antique Center.

First Impressions

My feasibility research about the center showed that they have a website but don’t use it to sell online. Instead, they have an eBay shop and organize auctions too. This was a good sign; there could be treasures waiting to be found.

To enter the Cromwell Antique Center, you go upstairs and ring the bell. The door is then unlocked by the cashier inside, allowing you to enter. My first impression was of style and luxury. The interior of their showroom was very well made. It wasn't big, but it was spacious and very clean. All the cabinets were tall oak, well-lit, and the thick blue carpet made you feel like a special guest. There were some visitors already, and a lady behind the cash desk was welcoming everyone with a smile.

Image: AI-generated image description: This is a photo of me in the showroom of Cromwell Antique Center. I am standing in a hallway lined with tall wooden cabinets filled with various antiques and collectibles. The floor is covered with a blue and green tartan-patterned carpet, adding to the elegant atmosphere of the showroom. The cabinets are well-lit, showcasing an array of items such as glassware, figurines, and other valuable objects. The overall ambiance is cozy and inviting, perfect for an antique hunting adventure.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work

In the cabinets, there were carefully curated valuable small objects: jewelry, porcelain, crystals, stones, pearls, memorabilia, Asian art, and silver items—you name it. It seemed I was at the right place, and I was excited to start my hunt.

Treasures Discovered

After taking a good look at the showroom, I made a plan for where to start. In the very first cabinet, on the eye-level shelf, something caught my attention immediately: a small collection of sterling silver figurines of one mouse and two wasps. The colors combined with the silver of one of the figurines were astonishing and very attractive.

Saturno Sterling Silver and Enamel Wasp Figurine

My first find was a Saturno sterling silver figurine of a wasp weighing 12.1 grams. Saturno S.L.R, founded in 1973 in Badia al Pino, Tuscany, specializes in detailed and colorful sterling silver figurines. Interestingly, they retail only a few of their products; most require purchasing through a dealer.

The wasps in Saturno’s new series have different colors to closely match natural wasp colors. This particular figurine, with its vibrant hues, likely dates before 2000 due to the color combination and wear on its belly. The crafting process for these figurines involves intricate steps requiring skill, precision, and attention to detail, from mold-making to enameling.

If you want to take a look at the sterling silver figurine production process, you can find images on the Instagram profile of Saturno S.L.C.

This sterling silver wasp, with its pristine condition and vibrant colors, looks very appealing. On the online market, it could be worth €150.

Learn more and make it yours today!

Wooden Duck Decoy

My sight was attracted to a cute-looking duck decoy on the top shelf, shyly looking in the opposite direction. I asked the cabinet to be unlocked, and when I took a closer look, I understood why it was curated to look away: there was a crack on the chest.

Thoroughly inspecting the decoy, I found it highly original. The single layer of paint with tiny chips indicated its original paint—a good sign. The cracks suggested its old age, the glass eyes marked its high-quality craftsmanship, and the bullet hole on the right-hand side confirmed its antique status.

Highly detailed and realistic decoys are often sought after by collectors. On the online market, this duck decoy could be worth €240.

Learn more and make it yours today!

Great Eastern Railway Horn Pea Whistle

The railway whistle was made in 1890 by James Dixon & Sons. This whistle, model #5S & 5R, was made first in two sizes: 62mm and 85mm, and later in the 1890s, in a few more sizes. Many were used by railway companies as guard whistles and were stamped with company abbreviations (G.E.R, G.W.R, N.S.R, etc.).

This whistle is identifiable as a Dixon-made piece rather than J. Hudson-made due to its rounded domed end fipple, which keeps the pea from running out. I had never seen a J. Dixon & Sons horn whistle with the original chain before; it’s incredibly rare and in wonderful condition. On the online market, this could be worth €130.

Learn more and make it yours today!

Final Steps and Observations

After checking all the items on the first floor, I went to the second floor to look around. There were many paintings, porcelain items, and other objects, but unfortunately, they didn’t interest me or were too large to carry in my backpack. So, I headed to pay for my findings.

I asked for a deal at the cash desk, and they offered me an immediate 10% discount for paying in cash. However, I wasn't prepared with cash and paid with a card. I inquired if they could ship items to me in Vienna if I decided to buy something else later, but they said they don’t offer that service.

While they packed my items carefully in blue tissue paper and bubble wrap, I noticed an old lady buying a brooch and a gentleman purchasing a pearl necklace. It seemed they sold a lot of high-quality and valuable jewelry.

The Unexpected Finds

I cannot close this episode without mentioning what I found but couldn’t buy due to its size: a signed photo of Roy Orbison from the 1960s. Even if you haven’t heard of him, you probably know his song "Oh, Pretty Woman" from the iconic movie “Pretty Woman” with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.

Image: AI-generated image description: This is a signed photo of Roy Orbison. The black and white photograph is framed in a black frame and features Roy Orbison wearing his iconic glasses and a suit. His signature, "Sincerely, Roy Orbison," is visible on the right side of the photo. The photograph is displayed in a glass cabinet alongside various other items, including crystal glassware and porcelain, highlighting its placement in an antique setting.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work

𝅘𝅥𝅮 Pretty woman walkin' down the street
Pretty woman, the kind I'd like to meet
Pretty woman…

What an amazing song! What an amazing find!

Image: AI-generated image description: This is the price tag in the Cromwell Antique Center for a signed photo of Roy Orbison. The tag reads "1960's Signed Photo of Roy Orbison" and lists the price as £110. The tag also features a small black-and-white image of Oliver Cromwell. The handwriting on the tag adds a personal and authentic touch to the display.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work

A Rewarding Visit

The detailed price tags and stylish interior reflect the owner's efforts to offer the best experience. This visit was very rewarding and fun. Cromwell Antique Centre has been great. It shows again that visiting places with multiple dealers pays off. Now and again, you get lucky. Great! I will be back.

I was close to breaking even with the items I bought there but far from any profit. My backpack still had a lot of space. I needed more items to fill it. So, I headed to the next nearby antique center.