Kitchenware Blues–and Reds and Yellows, Too

It’s only Saturday morning, and I’ve already had real trouble resisting all the sales this weekend.

On my first foray through the suburbs of Rochester yesterday, what did I see but an estate sale sign. This morning, garage sale signs seem to be posted at every other corner, and The Shops on West Ridge is holding its seasonal sale, and tomorrow—Sunday—is always a big day for flea markets and antiquing in Western New York in the summer.

Oh, I’m in agony over my New Year’s resolution to do less shopping and more curating in 2019, and it’s all the Depression Glass Club’s fault.

You see, on Thursday evening, the DGC’s program was all about kitchenware of the 1930s and 1940s, and I’ve been Jadeite green with envy ever since.

I had assumed I really didn’t like kitchenware. It was merely practical (or so I thought) and included only covered refrigerator dishes and dusty, greasy grease canisters.

How wrong I was.

The program featured a great variety of pieces brought in by several members of the club. The range of items was surprising, while the colors were as striking as always: lovely pastel pink, vibrant cobalt blue, and happy poppy orange.

And, oh, I have been tempted ever since to begin a new collection. Wouldn’t red pieces brighten up my kitchen? Beverage sets would be so useful on the porch, and everybody needs salt and pepper sets, right? And useful things don’t count as collectible, do they?

Nonetheless, I’ve gotten about halfway through the weekend without embarking on a kitchenware collection, so, for now, I’ll continue to restrain my enthusiasm and simply itemize the kinds of Depression Era glassware available for anyone building a collection (or trying to resist starting one, as in my case).

Here, then, in alphabetical order, are the kinds of pieces that were displayed Thursday evening at the Depression Glass Club meeting:

batter jugs and butter dishes
canning jars, cookie jars, creamers, cruet sets, custard cups
drip jars
juice glasses, juice jugs
measuring cups, mixing bowls, moisture proof shakers
pitchers
reamers, refrigerator bottles, refrigerator jugs
salt and pepper shakers, skillets, spice sets, sugar bowls, sugar shakers, syrup pitchers
tea canisters
vases

Some members brought only one kind of item, while others showed off several kinds of related pieces. All had important information as well as interesting stories to share.

Another thing that came up as the members talked about their collections was how they curate them, which I found most intriguing.

Some group pieces by their colors or patterns, so their displays are made impressive by the number, similarity, or range of items.

Others are fans of certain manufacturers, so their collections include a variety of pieces, but their patterns, styles, or shades are often identical.

Still others organize their kitchenware by their use, so we saw groupings like a chorus line of syrup jugs.

Some of the members are collectors after my own heart and explained how they integrate their glass kitchenware with related objects like ceramic dishes and vintage linens.

All in all, the members of the Depression Glass Club put on another interesting program with many beautiful things to see. (I might easily add that these collectors have enough to fill a museum exhibit like the ones planned for The Collectors of Western New York.)

In addition, the glass club members inspired us all to look at things with a renewed interest and see the various possibilities out there—whether we’re on the hunt for new pieces or curating what we already own and love.

Happy Weekend, Everyone.

Patti
The Committed Collector

I wonder: Has vintage glassware caught your eye? Are you drawn to the vibrant colors or the fun patterns? If so, why not leave a comment and tell us about your kitchenware? We’d be delighted to hear about it.