40s kitsch

Kangaroo bookends
Aboriginal motif placemats
made in Australia c. 1940s

Did I mention I like kitsch? These bookends are so of their time: the kangaroos are pewter, and have adopted that typical Skippy looking-over-the-shoulder stance. They stand on traditional Mulga wood- which has been cut and arranged to show off its famous bi-colouring. Mulga wood was used in 1940s souvenir works like these as it is a hardwood –unusual in a native from the wattle family – and was considered ‘export quality’. A transfer sticker on the base of the bookends, in the shape of Australia, proudly proclaims “Genuine Australian Mulga” in case one confuses it for fake Mulga, or worse still, a non-Australian Mulga.

The woven placemats are also genuine…a proud Aboriginal spear and shield-holder walks in front of a map of Australia- in case you mistake him for a proud Aboriginal spear and shield-holder from say, America. There are four placemats in the set…and the motif is arranged on the left side of the mat, so that plates, cutlery etc won’t obscure the motif.

My collection contains a fair few Aboriginal motifs…once considered to be in very poor taste,  they are now old and retro enough to be embraced by hipsters who didn’t encounter them the first time round.

For sale: $AUD65

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Kangaroo lighter

Mulga wood napkin rings and
Kangaroo lighter, made in Australia 1950s

Mulga wood was used in the 40s and 50s for souvenir works like these napkin rings and lighter as it is a hardwood –unusual in a native from the wattle family – and was considered ‘export quality’. The mulga wood has been cut and polished to show off its famous bi-colouring.

A transfer sticker on the base of the napkin rings, in the shape of Australia, proudly proclaims “Genuine Australian Mulga” in case one confuses it for fake Mulga, or worse still, a non-Australian Mulga.

I do love the kangaroo lighter- it is probably handmade, as it has a wonderful naive charm. The whole lighter comes out from the kangaroos back in order that fuel be added; the wick is intact and the lighter looks never to have been used. Keen-eyed readers will wonder- as I did- whether it is such a great idea making a lighter out such a traditionally flammable material.

There is a world of lighter collectors out there – if they collect napkin rings made in rustic-style timber – then this collection is for them. It is for sale: $AUD125

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Skippy [sold]

Kangaroo & Joey ceramic wall plate, made in Australia c. 1960
Kangaroo figurine, made in Australia c. 1970

A study of two kangaroos- a decade apart- but what a contrast.

The 60s wall plate- made with perforations to the back so it can be hung- features a fairly accurately realised kangaroo and joey in an abstracted environment. So far, so 60s. The 70s figurine is highly stylised- with enlarged feet and tail having a functional purpose- keeping Skippy stable.

I am absolutely partial to the archetypal fauna of Australia- kangaroo, koala, kookaburra. I know many people who limit their collections to just the one theme, maker, material or decade- but I don’t have that discipline. Kangaroo collectors, lovers and aficionados, see countless examples in blog posts below.

Kangaroo collectors should love this little lot, which is for sale: $AUD40

30s Australian tea spoons

Australiana tea spoons
made in England 1930s

These 30s tea spoons are by turns nationalistic, kitsch, and utterly adorable.

The spoons are silver plated [ESPN] and very unusual- I haven’t found anything like them in my retro hunting travels.

Each spoon is unique- very unusual for the 1930s; the spoon heads feature different Australian animals- koala, merino sheep, kangaroo, lyre bird, kookaburra and emu; – and the handles are asymmetrical, fashioned to resemble a branch and being adorned with boomerangs and either a kookaburra or a koala.

And then the spoon bowls are all the same, as if the crazy handle was quite enough. Nationalism is all very well, but one must have a precise measure of sugar for one’s tea!

Bakelite canisters

Sellex nested bakelite canisters, made in Australia c. 1940s
Kanga and Roo salt & pepper shakers, made in Japan c.1960s

These Sellex bakelite canisters ‘Rice’ and ‘Coffee’ have been separated from their larger red-lidded set [flour, tea and sugar…] but Kanga and Roo are in their entirety; Roo being the pepper, and Kanga – the salt.

I’m sure someone out there has the rest of the Sellex set – or at least wants to add to canisters already collected. The ceramic kanga and roo S& P shaker set is adorable and in perfect condition. Make someone’s Christmas wishes come true!

For sale: $AUD85

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Australiana kitchenalia

Sellex nested bakelite canisters, made in Australia c. 1940s
Kanga and Roo salt & pepper shakers, made in Japan c.1960s

These Sellex bakelite canisters ‘Rice’ and ‘Coffee’ have been separated from their larger red-lidded set [flour, tea and sugar…] but Kanga and Roo are in their entirety; Roo being the pepper, and Kanga – the salt.

I’m sure someone out there has the rest of the Sellex set – or at least wants to add to canisters already collected. The ceramic kanga and roo S & P shaker set is adorable and in perfect condition.       For sale: $AUD85

postscript : Kanga and Roo have been sold, but the canisters are still up for grabs!

Buy Now

40s kitsch

Kangaroo bookends
Aboriginal motif placemats
made in Australia c. 1940s

Did I mention I like kitsch? These bookends are so of their time: the kangaroos are pewter, and have adopted that typical Skippy looking-over-the-shoulder stance. They stand on traditional Mulga wood- which has been cut and arranged to show off its famous bi-colouring. Mulga wood was used in 1940s souvenir works like these as it is a hardwood –unusual in a native from the wattle family – and was considered ‘export quality’. A transfer sticker on the base of the bookends, in the shape of Australia, proudly proclaims “Genuine Australian Mulga” in case one confuses it for fake Mulga, or worse still, a non-Australian Mulga.

The woven placemats are also genuine…a proud Aboriginal spear and shield-holder walks in front of a map of Australia- in case you mistake him for a proud Aboriginal spear and shield-holder from say, America. There are four placemats in the set…and the motif is arranged on the left side of the mat, so that plates, cutlery etc won’t obscure the motif.

My collection contains a fair few Aboriginal motifs…once considered to be in very poor taste,  they are now old and retro enough to be embraced by hipsters who didn’t encounter them the first time round.

For sale: $AUD65

Buy Now