This week’s fresh to market vintage is a product designer’s playground. There are tons of technical aspects to product design; we’re not going to get into durability and cost to manufacture because they are entirely out of our realm. But we are definitely going to talk about the aesthetic appearance part of part of product design. If it doesn’t catch a buyer’s eye, it doesn’t matter how sturdy it is, the product isn’t successful unless people buy it.
So…well done to whomever decided to add the second color to the sponged bowl. That second color adds to the overall effect of the sponging and sets it apart from blue and white spongeware. And a round of applause to the designer who chose to make the red plastic necklace with beads of graduated sizes instead of all the same size. Hat’s off to the designer who decided to mix matte and glossy glazes as well as to add an embossed design to the porcelain vase. And in a world of fully stainless flatware, props to whomever decided to add the bakelite handles for a pop of color at the dining table.
Of course none of these design aspects would matter if the product engineering was shoddy, we’re not diminishing that part of the process. But while we don’t think about the weight of thread used in the necklace or the components of the clay that was used to make the bowl, we know they must have been well done since all these lovely vintage things have stood the test of time long enough to have a moment in the spotlight as our fresh to market vintage picks for this week.
Antique Spongeware Advertising Bowl, Kaylor S.D.
Country store advertising makes up a large portion of our collection and the spongeware bowls like this one are among my favorite pieces. This one advertises the Max Brothers store in Kaylor South Dakota. I have no clue what they sold but I imagine it was a good old-fashioned general store that operated in the heyday of the town. When you consider Kaylor currently has a population of 15, you know that was a while ago.
Country Store Advertising Bowl, $125
-Linda, Selective Salvage
Endless Beaded Necklace
Red being my least favorite color, this necklace entranced me regardless. The mix of round and faceted beads, the way the beads range from tiny to large and back again, the fact that it’s long and without a clasp. So many possibilities, along with the deep red color and apparent age just grabbed my attention. While made of plastic molded beads, it exudes a glamour and age that reminds me why I love old jewelry. Oh, the stories these pieces could tell.
Endless Beaded Necklace, $39.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
1970s KPM Royal Porcelain Mandala Vase
This KPM Royal Porcelain flattened vase will hold flowers and play nicely with other matte or glossy German porcelain pieces because it’s a mix of matte and glossy finish itself. The embossed mandala is inspired by 70s hippie design. Imagine this filled with a bright cottage garden flowers.
KPM Royal Porcelain Mandala Vase, $48.99
-Mary Ellen, AuntHattiesAttic
Peerless Bakelite Handle Flatware
Bakelite was invented by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907 and the rest is design history. It was used in a number of household products because it was durable and heat resistant. One thing it is not is dishwasher resistant, never put your bakelite anything into the dishwasher. This flatware set, dating to sometime between the 1920s and 1940s, has graced many a dinner table, but it’s still ready, willing and able to serve on your table too.
Peerless Stainless and Bakelite Flatware Set for 6, $90
-Laurie, NextStage Vintage
Valentine’s Day isn’t right around the corner, but it’s close enough if you want to buy something from your favorite online vintage sellers and have it shipped in time. From this week’s fresh to market vintage, the bowl and the flatware aren’t necessarily something to make a valentine or galentine’s heart flutter, but we think the vase and the necklace would for sure.
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And if you like bakelite, you might enjoy our post on identifying bakelite, the gem of vintage costume jewelry.
