May 28, 2012
These vintage salt and pepper shakers were made in Japan and they are marked with a letter ‘F’ on the base. They stand about 5 1/2 inches tall and the screw top appear to be made from real lightbulb bases (and are usually reputed to be on other, similar pieces). Some folks say that they can also be used for liquids, like vinegar or oil.
I’d be tempted to install them in an overhead light fixture and when you guests ask for the salt (or pepper) stand on a chair, reach up to the ceiling fixture, unscrew them and then sit down and hand the set over.
Highly recommended for the first dinner with your in-laws as guests. You’ll definitely make an impression and even if the relationship doesn’t work out you can guarantee that you’ll be the subject of dinner conversation for years to come.
Posted in Dishes, Lighting, Eclectic, Vintage, Kitchenware, $11-$15, 20th century, Otherwise useful, AVAILABLE!, Glass, Metal |
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May 26, 2012
These mushroom shaped salt and pepper shakers are straight out of the mid-1970′s and are in that lovely shade of gag-reflex green that was so popular in kitchen appliances and Volkswagen buses.
The great thing about time is that it marched on, the Volkswagen buses rusted away, the avocado kitchen appliances burnt out and all that remains are cute kitchen knickknacks like these, which evoke a sort of nostalgia for the era, without the actuality of it.
They are also perfect for use in an ultra low maintenance terrarium. The tallest one stands about 5 inches tall.
Posted in $1 to $5, 20th century, Ceramic, Dishes, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, knickknack, Mid-century, Mid-Century Modern, Vintage |
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May 24, 2012
This is a great piece. It’s especially interesting as it provides a diametric counterpart to our last Scandinavian modern styled bar cart and shows how good design can accomplish the same goals but end up in radically different places in the process.
At first glance this is just an unassuming, squarish wheeled stand. However it is finished in fine rosewood veneer with a black colored laminate top. Then, the front door opens and tucks back inside so you can access the revolving mufti-tiered carousel / lazy Susan. It is a compact yet elegant solution to a storage problem.
The cart is about 17 inches deep, just over 17 1/2 inches wide and stands 30 1/2 inches tall. It is in fabulous condition and there is a manufacturers label on the base that I didn’t decipher except to read that this item was made in Denmark.
$225
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Posted in $201-$250, 20th century, Artistic wonder, AVAILABLE!, Glassware / barware, Kitchenware, Mid-century, Mid-Century Modern, Otherwise useful, Sculpture, Storage, Vintage, Wood |
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May 20, 2012
“Please pass the crackers and I hope they aren’t stale. Now as I was saying, technology will be the salvation, or downfall of mankind.” Bertrand Russell
Tired of stale soggy crackers? Let us offer a solution to the problem. This vintage Krispy Kan features the revolutionary Blue Magic Dri-Nob set in the lid. The secret formula granules in the knob absorb and sequester moisture from inside the can, thereby extending the crunchy life of your crackers (and presumably other baked goods).
You can easily tell when it’s starting to lose its potency as the granules turn color. When they get pink (like you see in the picture) all you have to do is to remove the knob from the lid bake it in the oven (per the handy instruction on the lid). When it has returned to a dry state it will turn a light blue and it can be returned to service.
What can keep you crackers fresh in the northwest rainy season? Krispy Kan can!
It is 6 3/4 inches in diameter and stands 8 1/2 inches tall. It was awarded patent number 2548168 in 1951 and was described (almost lyrically) as a “food receptacle with desiccant.”
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Posted in $11-$15, 20th century, AVAILABLE!, Kitchenware, Metal, Vintage |
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May 17, 2012
Barra, a soulless community of glass and aluminium high-rises, is known for its jolly churrascarias – steakhouses that work on a $20, all-you-can-eat system. With waiters bringing a different cut about every three minutes, the trick is to hold off until the better beef arrives. Try: Baby-Beef Paes Mendonca (1510 Avenida das Americas; 399-2187) New York Times WHAT’S DOING IN; Rio de Janeiro, May 24, 1992
And if the beef isn’t to your liking feel free to take the salt and pepper shaker, some table linens or perhaps a waiter as a souvenir of the unforgettable experience of consuming Brazilian Beef (“Amazonian Fresh, with the rainforest goodness you’ve come to expect”).
3 1/4 inches tall.
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Posted in $1 to $5, 20th century, AVAILABLE!, Ceramic, Dishes, Eclectic, Kitchenware, Seemed like a good idea . . . |
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May 16, 2012
It guards the cookies like a frugal dog.
Approximately 12 inches long and 8 1/2 inches tall. This zoomporphic cookie jar is in good condition although there are some minor flaws (two very small chips on the ears and interior jar rim with glaze crazing inside-see the pictures!).
Perfect for keeping your Walker’s shortbread out of sight.
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Posted in $16-$20, 20th century, Ceramic, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Vintage |
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May 15, 2012
Summer is coming and with it the need for cold drinks and ice cubes to do the job. Just pull the lever and you’ll hear one of the quintessential sounds of modern summertime, the cracking of ice in an ice-cube tray.
We have four regular trays and one double tray, they are in great condition and are just over 11 inches long. They’re made from aluminum so we can be assured that they are BPA free too.
The single trays are $5 each and the double is $10.
Nunc est bibendum!
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Posted in $1 to $5, $6-$10, 20th century, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Metal, Vintage |
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May 12, 2012
This is a great old table which, if just a little care was given, could last another hundred years. It appears to be pine or a similar coniferous wood, has two drawers and two suspended flour bins. Unfortunately the original slide out cutting boards are gone, but someone made replacements from bamboo that are pretty nice. If you’d like a different look another set of cutting boards would be relatively easy to fabricate and it’d be a great chance to put your stamp on the table for future generations to admire.
It is in good condition with mostly age appropriate wear and some recent marker marks on the table surface due to exposure to children (see photo’s below).
The table measures 48 inches by 26 1/2 inches and stands 30 inches tall. The drawers work well, as do the bins.
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Posted in $351-$400, 20th century, Antique, AVAILABLE!, Farmhouse/Country, Kitchenware, Metal, Otherwise useful, Rustic, Shabby Chic, Tables, Wood |
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May 8, 2012
We all know summer is coming and there will be days that are hotter than a frying pan under an equatorial sun. We also know that the temperature at the nether regions of the planet are getting warmer and that ice,in its natural environment will someday be a scarce thing.
So either get it while the getting is good or invest now in a bottle like this so when those days come you have a memory aid to remember the good old days.
This milk glass bottle is 10 inches tall and bears the profile images of two penguins on fast shrinking arctic ice. It’s in great condition.
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Posted in $21-$25, 20th century, AVAILABLE!, Glass, Glassware / barware, Kitchenware, Otherwise useful, Vintage |
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May 3, 2012
Vintage Decoware cake tray and lid. It measures about 11 1/2 inches in diameter. The cake cover party is about 10 1/2 inches in diameter and just over 4 1/2 inches tall. It should hold a two or possibly three-tier 9 inch cake with extra frosting just fine. If you’re feeling lucky and/or have a steadier hand then I do you could probably even ease the lid down over a 10 inch cake.
In good condition.
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Posted in $11-$15, 20th century, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Metal, Mid-century, Mid-Century Modern, Otherwise useful, Tools, Vintage |
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April 30, 2012
Vintage Carnation cream top milk bottle with label. The label is of the sort refered to by collectors as red pyroglazed.
The red part of this is fairly self explanatory but pyroglazing is an interesting process. Obviously there is an intuitive part of this in that heat was used in the process. But what process? Basically pyroglazing is a type of stenciling where lead, silica and borax were fused to the glass at a temperature of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, over the course of four hours. This process was introduced in the middle 1930′s and helped enhance brand recognition and deter theft by other dairies.
The bottle stands 9 3/4 inches tall, held one quart and bears an intriguing little embossed mark near the base. The mark is a triangle and within that triangle is a 7 and the letters MINN.
Some resources indicate that this is a symbol used by the Liberty Glass Company, which was founded from the remains of an earlier company in 1918. In addition to the triangle mark they also typically marked the bottom of their bottles with an embossed LG and a year mark. Ours does not have the LG mark but bears a 12 inside a circle and the number 46. Presumably then this bottle was made in 1946.
As an interesting aside, Liberty glass used Lustro-Color as the trade term for their colored label process.
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Posted in $16-$20, 20th century, AVAILABLE!, Farmhouse/Country, Glass, Glassware / barware, Kitchenware, knickknack, Vintage |
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April 24, 2012
Short on kitchen space AND square footage? A small but useful vintage cabinet could be the answer. This one holds a surprising amount of stuff and there is a hidden compartment too, which is always handy.
The lower part is accessed by two doors, there is a small interior shelf and the inside of the doors are lined with pegboard so you can hang items off them. Above are four tilt-out metal bins for storing flour, sugar and other bulk items. Since these aren’t full depth the top slides forward* and you can access the ‘hidden’ breadbox compartment in the back.
Overall the cabinet is in fair to good condition. One of the doors was bent at some point and re-worked to almost as good as new. Most notably it could use a good sanding or bead blasting and a new coat of paint. The Formica top is in good shape and all the door/drawer pulls are still present.
The cabinet is 36 inches tall, 23 3/4 inches wide and 17 3/4 inches deep.
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*if you don’t want to tilt the bins out the top also slides backwards and you can get to the contents from above.
Posted in $51-$75, 20th century, Art Deco, Farmhouse/Country, Furniture, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Metal, Otherwise useful, Rustic, Shabby Chic, Storage, Tables, Vintage |
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April 20, 2012
“But officer there is nothing on the TSA prohibited items list that states barbeque tools aren’t allowed in carry-on luggage!”
This folding BBQ tool set by Brookstone (“Purveyors of the obscure, the unnecessary and the useless since 1973″) will easily fit into your overnight bag and will probably pass security unnoticed, especially if you do a strip tease at the screening area.
It measures a modest 12 3/4 inches long when folded and extends to 20 inches. Included are a spatula, fork, knife and meat thermometer.
If your plane goes down on a deserted island (and you survive) and all you have to eat are feral pigs and wild sausages you are totally in luck with this handy tool.
Providing you brought a source of fire that is, because a lighter isn’t included. If not the thermometer will be there, like an old friend, to remind you how it was ready, but you dropped the ball. And, by the way, aren’t those cold hotdogs simply wonderful?
Posted in $6-$10, 20th century, Eclectic, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Metal, Tools, White elephant, WTF? |
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April 16, 2012
This one came in with, or at least in close proximity, to the shorebird Couroc tray we advertised yesterday. Materially it is much the same and is also in good condition. It is slightly ovate but mostly rectangular in form and measures 12 5/8 inches by 9 5/8 inches.
It features four dancing frogs and it is in very condition.
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Posted in $21-$25, 20th century, Glassware / barware, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Mid-century, Mid-Century Modern, Otherwise useful, Plastic, Vintage |
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April 15, 2012
As we’ve noted before the plastic material used to make these classic trays by Couroc of California is impervious to most liquids and fire* sources. This one is 10 3/8 inches in diameter and it is in good condition.
What sort of birds these are (besides sharp dressers) is unclear. I’d guess they’re modeled off California shore birds from Monterey, where Couroc was based. They bear a passing resemblance to the Gingham Plover and Calico Avocet we know so well from the Oregon Coast, but my interpretation is probably more subjective than objective.
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*When referenced in the literature this probably refers to small accidental fires, such as carelessly placed cigarette and candles which are burning too low. I do wonder if one of these might be handy to keep near the cook stove in case of a sudden and too large flare up in the shorebird flambé.
Posted in $11-$15, Glassware / barware, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Mid-century, Mid-Century Modern, Otherwise useful, Plastic, Vintage |
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April 14, 2012
We have this set of four little cups which sit on a small handled tray. The interesting thing is that there is a pin one the tray that is inserted into the lower part of the cups.
My first guess was that it was for the last drink on a sinking ship (too much Titanic in the news recently), or a cheat for theatrical antics at a tea service. Serendipitously I happened to be reading the section on silver in an antiques book* and there was a picture of something quite similar.
It turns out that this is an egg frame!
One places boiled eggs in the cups (thereby making the cups top heavy and hence the support pin) and a demitasse spoon goes in each little slot and the servants bring it to the table.
Neat, eh?
This particular set was made by 1881 Rogers and we have the base and four cups. The original demitasse spoons are missing, but we put another one in the photo so you can see how they’re supposed to fit.
As you can see in the slide show below there are other markings on the base including Canada, which means it is silver plate over copper.
They are in fair condition, with notable degradation of the silver inside the cups (but out of sight with an egg in them) and there are small circular rings where the cups sit on the tray. The cups are also in fair condition with some of them being slightly out of round and one is a bit skewed. Each cup is 2 inches tall and about 1 3/4 inches in diameter. The frame is 5 1/4 inches in diameter and 8 inches tall to the top of the handle.
If you like the idea of having your own egg frame but you’re not sure if it is really the right thing for you this is a great starter set.
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*I think I need to read more fiction.
Posted in $21-$25, 20th century, Dishes, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Metal, Otherwise useful, Vintage, WTF? |
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April 10, 2012
My family will attest that I have long been a member of the Church Of The Limitless Cookie, a follower of the Most Reverend Cookie Monster, a partaker of the holy sugared circle, and that I often say the sacred words ”OMM-nom-nom-nom…“.
And we all know that there is no cookie as good as the cookie you aren’t supposed to have.
Ignore the monk; eat the cookie.
Vintage 1960′s monk or friar cookie jar by Treasure Craft. Twelve inches tall and in excellent condition.
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Posted in $21-$25, 20th century, Ceramic, Dishes, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Otherwise useful, Vintage |
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April 8, 2012
Since it is a bread box with an attached canister set it is bigger than a bread box.
In the case of this deluxe bread box plus canister set it is 18 inches wide, 12 inches tall and 10 inches deep. Above the bread box are four drawers, one each for coffee, tea, flour and sugar. The coffee drawer has built in lid to retain freshness. The drawers are easy to remove and put back in the order you prefer. There are also mounting holes on the back so this could be suspended from a wall if counter space is too valuable.
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Posted in $21-$25, 20th century, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Metal, Mid-century, Mid-Century Modern, Otherwise useful, Vintage |
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April 1, 2012
We’re pleased to offer this fantastic hand made low flow shower head by famous Oregon studio potter Ellen Currans (of Cedar Pond Studios).
It’s perfect for one or perhaps two close friends. Add half a cup of water, heat, pour over your head and reapply your usual cover scent.
This will work especially well if you use it as a combination flower frog and vase afterwards.
Yay, it’s finally April!
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Posted in $6-$10, 20th century, Arts & Crafts, Ceramic, Dishes, Farmhouse/Country, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Otherwise useful |
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April 1, 2012
This is a wonderful vintage left handed carving knife and fork! The sharp bits are high carbon steel and the bits you hold are silvery colored metal.
The knife blade bears the mark of Gebruder Christians of Solingen, Germany.
The hollow handles bear a little dancing men mark (much like the characters in the famous Sherlock Holmes story) and a small number ’8′. The dancing men mark is the mark of Clarfeld and Springmeyer and the 8 is probably a purity mark for 80% pure silver.
Vintage left handed carving sets like this are quite difficult to find and this could be the only one we have until this time next year.
They are in good condition and the knife is about 12 1/2 inches long.
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Posted in $16-$20, 20th century, AVAILABLE!, Kitchenware, Metal, Tools, Vintage |
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March 27, 2012
This is a nice vintage hand cranked burr-type coffee mill with cast iron works, easy to clean chrome top and straight-grained beech or birch wood base and drawer. It was made in Germany and it is in good condition. It works well too (as indicated by this cup of coffee to my right). The grind coarseness is adjustable via a thumbscrew underneath the burr. This can be gotten at by removing the coffee-catching drawer. It’s not the easiest arrangement, but once you get your grind dialed in it shouldn’t be a problem.
The lower part is about 3 1/2 inches wide, 4 1/2 inches deep and 6 inches tall to where the handle screws on. The handle itself is 4/34 inches long so you can generate plenty of torque to crush even the most robust coffee beans.
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Posted in $31-$40, 20th century, Appliances, Farmhouse/Country, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Metal, Mid-Century Modern, Otherwise useful, Tools, Vintage, Wood |
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March 25, 2012
I’ve never seen a drinks cart quite like this one before. It’s big, imposing and equipped to carry everything except heated rich Corinthian leather seats.
As you see it in the photo above the cart is 20 3/4 inches wide, 37 inches long and 31 1/2 inches tall. However, there is a drop leaf that allows you to extend the top to 58 1/4 inches by lifting the end and sliding the whole top longitudinally. Sometime this is known as a ‘convertible’ top (as in changeable).
The cart also has two removable trays on the near end. I presume these are so that the guests seated on you couch can keep their drinks and cucumber sandwiches off the upholstery or perhaps so you can class things up as you swing through with your giant drinks trolley.
There’s more. As you can see there are is a large open shelf just below the sliding top. Underneath this is a drawer AND another shelf that slide out and can be accessed from both sides. The shelf locks into place when pulled out , which is a nice touch. Below these features is a half shelf (but only on the left side and another large shelf on the bottom.
The cart is on casters (recent replacements it looks like) and has substantial grips to help you guide it around. The 1980′s vintage wheels make it a bit hard to steer but it is really the mass and inertia that make the heavy-duty handles so useful.
In other words, Once this thing gets moving it’s not stopping until either Drinkstown or Catastropheville so we recommend designating a sober driver.
It’s in good condition with a few minor flaws, like the replacement wheels, one cracked and glued caster hole (see slideshow below) and a small multitude of tiny white paint flecks, especially on the drop leaf. I’d guess that someone partook of the former contents and then decided to paint a nearby, but not directly overhead ceiling. There may also be one missing trim strip along the edge of the shelf where the little trays attach, but I’m not sure it wasn’t made that way intentionally.
I couldn’t find any manufacturer’s marks so I’ve no idea if this is a domestic or foreign product.
It’d accessorize nicely with party people. If you can only find one person to go with it I recommend getting that guy wearing a kilt and a Darth Vader Mask, riding a unicycle and playing the Imperial March all at the same time.
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Posted in $201-$250, 20th century, Contemporary, Glassware / barware, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Mid-century, Mid-Century Modern, Otherwise useful, Tables, Vintage, Wood |
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March 19, 2012
Three bunnies with gleaming eyes and two silhouette dogs.
They are all Bakelite. As you can see in the pictures we have two butterscotch colored rabbits with green eyes and one green one with red eyes.
The dogs are orange and brown and have profiles similar to the terrier of your choice. I’ve seen them called Airedales and Scotties but they’d work just as well for your favorite Kerry Blue Terrier or Wheaten aficionado too.
The dogs are about 4 inches tall, the bunnies are just a ’hare’ under 2 1/2 inches tall.
We’re asking something in the vicinity of market price for these. The pair of dogs is $30 and we’d like $50 for the rabbits.
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Posted in $26-$30, $41-$50, 20th century, Art Deco, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, knickknack, Otherwise useful, Plastic, Vintage |
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March 17, 2012
Thanks for everything.
And I mean everything.
47 1/2 inches long.
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Posted in $26-$30, 20th century, Eclectic, GONE! SOLD!, Kitchenware, Sculpture, Vintage, White elephant, Wood |
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March 16, 2012
A plaything is a tool and the outcome is largely dependent upon the input of the parent. It’s impossible to really control what your kid will actually turn out like, but you can influence the potential outcome.
Start now by proscribing your child’s future by instilling ‘traditional values’, or begin creating the world’s next greatest prodigy chef with this child’s size play kitchen unit thing-a-ma-bob.
It features four faux burners, a work top, two drawers and two cabinets (one large and one small) accessed by three drawers.
It is 36 inches wide, 40 inches tall and 18 1/2 inches deep.
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Posted in $51-$75, 20th century, AVAILABLE!, Eclectic, Farmhouse/Country, Furniture, Kitchenware, Mid-Century Modern, Shabby Chic, Storage, Tables, Toy!, Vintage, Wood |
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