Nally nested bakelite canisters
made in Australia c. 1940s
I have posted nested bakelite canisters before…and everytime I do I am reminded of the weird world of the 40s, when coffee was in smallest canister and flour the largest! Oh, how times change! It would be great to swap the names on the canisters to reflect a more contemporary use of flour and coffee…but that would mean pulling out that lovely cursive script, which is fixed to the canisters by little bakelite pegs in holes drilled though the canister. And – each script has been laminated to fit the circumference of the canister. One just has to deal with it!
The canisters are a lovely off-white colour, and the lids and script are green. The lids to this Nally set are unusual in that they give a slid nod to the art deco era- being articulated with graduated rings. Most nested canister sets of the period have simple smooth lids, with a central cast-in knob. [See previous posts for myriad examples!]
For sale; $AUD95
re:retro 
I agree! The largest canister should be for coffee!
hi mr roger- yep, coffee is the most important substance in the contemporary kitchen…that tiny little canister should be for tofu or cous cous or something equally as healthy/tastleless.
I have a similar set… same colours but in a more deco style…. and I think the coffee container should be small, they don’t seal … so coffee goes stale fast!!!
that’s a good point about GROUND coffee going stale…but coffee beans would be ok. i would love to see your deco set…will you post an image?
I will as soon as I dig out that box…. 🙂
I think the big one should be for cookies,medium size sugar & smaller one for tea.. Love your retro !! *Cynthia
cynthia, i think you’re onto something. i would have the largest canister TOFFEE, then pavlova, then gin, then the staples of life (whatever they are.) that sould reflect modern life nicely!
You will just have to make coffee cake!
hey yeah! have all the ingredients right there…coffee, flour, sugar. you are a genius!
Reblogged this on A Vintage Life and commented:
These make me want to invest in more counter space! How about you?