This week my theme is bakelite and plastics.
Obviously this is not the realm of fine antiques and not all of the dealers in Pilgrim's Antiques Centre would choose to absorb these modern materials into their stock.
But there is a great demand for 20th century collectables.
And there are many to be found within the rooms of our centre.
Bakelite actually can just be considered antique, for it was first developed just over 100 years ago, but its popularity for both useful and decorative items was not fully explored until the 1930s.
Most of the items I found in the shop yesterday were not true bakelite, but more modern forms of plastic.
If you want to see any of the items in more detail, then please click on the pictures. Then return to the home page by using the back arrow on your computer.
I am Paula and I write something each week about the shop.
I very much enjoy the wild and wacky colours and designs that were used in the 1950s and 60s.
The basket could be used for fruit or for papers - or anything.
The little egg cup set is so very typical of that era.
Everybody has older relations who might have owned items like these.
The cheap plastic biscuit barrel may have been sold in Woolworths in the 1950s.
The preserve pot is of blue plastic in a chrome holder.
All our mothers, grandmothers and great aunts had fascinating button tins.
Now old style buttons are very much in vogue - and to find full sets of them is special. Terry has a basket of buttons.
The red plastic cruet set is not English - the name and colours of the label suggest it is Italian.
1950s sun glasses - nobody wore "shades" in those days did they?
These glasses are very slightly magnifying.
Terry has these two plastic specimen vases in the shape of a treble clef.
High class plastic!
The bag is by Helena Rubenstein - the chunky handle appears to be plastic.
The scarf is silk.
These are in Jo's area.
Monika and I work together one day a week.
One week she brought in the 3 plastic napkin rings on the right.
And just a few days later I found 3 more - almost the same.
Sadly we can't really quite marry them together as a set because hers and mine are a bit different, but both have a lovely art deco quality.
Monika has this pendant on a chain - early 1930s plastic.
I think it is charming.
Stephen's telephones are bakelite or plastic.
The white one is French and has an extra speaker so that 2 people may join in one conversation with a caller.
The black telephone is German.
A mixed collection of plastic jewellery from Sue, Terry and me.
A 1960s plastic lampshade - almost everybody of my generation had one of these.
Shame its not orange - much more sought after.
This lampshade is from my area.
The plastic dolls are also mine.
Both date from the 1950s into 60s.
The one on the left is made in Hong Kong. The one on the right is a BND, British doll.
I love these dolls that remind me of my own childhood.
Most model cars are made of die cast metal.
But one French company, Norev, has used a lot of plastic and are very collected.
Their earliest models have a very simple primitive look. The ones I photographed are a bit later - from the 1970s.
Matchbox Models of Yesteryear have been mounted on all manner of desk ware.
This veteran car is mounted on a plastic pin dish.
These items are to be found in Bill's corner at the front of the shop.
Plastic has been used for all sorts of things - and is still used widely.
If you are a collector of plastic, clearly you will be looking for things which have a style of a bygone age - which may not be so very long ago. Styles change so quickly.
The plastic packet holding the 2 full sets of patience cards is very 1950s and can be found on my shelves.
The keyring, decimal currency converter is Terry's.
The change over was almost 40 years ago.
D Day (18th February 1971) in my house stood for more than Decimal Day; it was also Due Date for our second son. No, he didn't arrive on that date.
Hilary has a passion for bakelite jewellery.
And wouldn't you know it.... this week I found none in her cabinet.
No doubt it had all been snapped up at some of the fairs she has sold at recently.
Times might be hard financially in the UK right now, but our trade has not been hit too badly really. People still like to have some fun or maybe invest some money in items that will not drop in value.
So, not all the things I have photographed will be in the shop when you call in.
Instead there will be many more new items - each of the dealers brings in fresh stock each week.
We all just love the hunting for things to display on our shelves or in cabinets for you to enjoy.
They do say that warmer weather is about to hit Surrey - come to Dorking and explore the shops, the town and the surrounding countryside.
National Trust members would enjoy a visit to Polesden Lacey close by; or maybe you would relish lunch at Denbie's vineyard.
No comments:
Post a Comment