Hamilton Beach Mixer – SOLD

3 Feb

Hamilton Beach mixer

Hamilton Beach mixer

This vintage Hamilton Beach mixer is in great condition given its age. There’s some discrepency over the exact date of manufacture -some sites say it dates to 1939, and others the early 1940s, but either way it’s close-on 70 years old. I doubt that many of the machines made today will still be going in the year 2080 – I think most of them will have made it to the scrap yard by then! In its day this was a top of the line machine retailing for nearly $30 in 1941 (see print ad below). I’ve never come across one before that has its juicer attachment – this version does, but sadly it’s missing the one crucial part that attaches the juicer to the machine – but if you persevere I’m sure you’d be able to pick one up fairly cheap on eBay. Fortunately it does still have both of its mixing bowls which are in perfect nick. The only serious wear and tear is to the mixing blades where the metal is slightly corroded, but I’m sure with some TLC they’ll keep going for a good few years. I’ve always thought that the HB mixer was quite beautiful, but you do get different models, and this version is particularly good looking – the design of the base just does it for me! A solid piece of design that will look good in any kitchen.

Dimensions: Stand – 32cm long x 19cm wide; Mixer – 22cm long x 15cm high; Large bowl – 22cm in diameter x 12cm tall; Medium bowl – 16cm in diameter x 11.5cm tall

Price: R720

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Japanese Skittle Lamp – SOLD

3 Feb

Vintage Japanese skittle lamp

Vintage Japanese skittle lamp

This is by far the coolest desk lamp I’ve ever seen! I challenge anyone to show me something more quirky – seriously. When my secret collector friend first showed it to me I was blown away – I think I swooned just a bit when I opened it up and saw it in action. It can sit three ways: closed in the shape of a skittle; sitting on its base with the hood of the light exposed; or turned upside down with access to the control dial. The last option is the correct way to use it as a functioning light. The control dial has a dimmer on it so that you can use it as soft mood lighting or as a bright light for reading. There’s some wear to the dial, and the plastic casing has some scratches here and there, but it’s so cool that I’m prepared to overlook a wee bit of damage. I’d be happy to re-design my house around this lamp – well not really, but pretty darn close. A winner of a lamp that’s looking for a worthy home.

Dimensions: 25cm tall x 10cm in diameter

Price: R450

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Silver Plated Jug – SOLD

3 Feb

Silver plated water jug

Silver plated water jug

This silver plated jug has been very well loved in its time – so loved in fact that a lot of the silver plating has worn away – which is a great pity as it really is somewhat of a masterpiece. Just look at that beautifully sculpted spout! It’s a very solid piece (weighs a good kilo or two) with great art deco lines. Even with the wear and tear it’s a still a very handsome piece and would look oh-so-glamorous at a Sunday afterrnoon brunch.

Dimensions: 22cm tall x 11cm in diameter

Price: R230

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Enamel Fridge Tray – SOLD

2 Feb

Enamel fridge tray

Enamel fridge tray

I’m not really certain what you would use this enamel fridge tray, but it’s such a lovely piece of vintage enamelware that there was no way I was walking away from it! It has such a great ’50s shape to it, and I love the ridged bottom and the metal strip where the writing’s worn away. I suppose you could use it as a deep baking tray (as far as I know heavy enamel like this would be oven-proof), or return it to it’s original purpose and use it in your fridge – I used to have one that I stored all my bottles and jars in. And if neither of those uses appeal to you it could also serve as herb planter. There’re a few patches where the enamel has worn away (see pics under ‘more’), but it still has plenty of life left in it. Whatever you choose to use it for I’m certain it will make its new owner very happy!

Dimensions: 35cm wide x 35cm long x 10cm deep

Price: R130

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Hand-Blown Glass Vase – SOLD

2 Feb

Top view of hand-blown glass vase

Top view of hand-blown glass vase

The shape of this vase really appeals to me – it’s all lopsided and wonky, and very clearly hand-blown. You can almost see the glass-blower’s heat melting the glass! I don’t know if it has any age to it, although it would have fitted in perfectly with my mom’s house in the ’70s, but I don’t think it’s that important if you love the design the way I do. Despite clearly being a vase, I think flowers  would take away rather than add to the beauty of this piece – the proportions would be all wrong. In my mind it would work best simply as a display piece. A striking vase that I would love to hang on to!

Dimensions: 22cm tall x 18cm in diameter

Price: R160

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