Retro egg cup | re:retro

Royal Doulton ‘Bunnykins’ egg cup
made in England, c.1940s

Bunnykins is very collectible; I would say we are nearing peak Bunnykins collectability. Having grown-up with Bunnykins I would say that its collectability is completely due to nostalgia.

Produced by Royal Doulton – and on every child’s christening present list from the 60s-80s – there are literally millions of people who know Bunnykins from their porridge bowls, plates, cups and saucers and egg cups.

This egg cup has two bunnies playing horn and drums –as they are wont to do- and on the back is a bunny with red overalls, putting on a green overcoat and a green cap.

The egg cup is in excellent vintage condition – and is for sale: $AU10

Buy Now

Bessemer salt and pepper shakers, and double egg-cup
made in Australia, c.1970s

I have waxed lyrical about Bessemer products in previous posts– made from melamine, they were made by the Nylex Melmac Corporation which started production in the mid 60s. These salt and pepper shakers and the double egg-cup were designed by Lionel Suttie, an industrial designer.

It’s interesting that Mr Suttie is remembered as Bessemer’s lead designer: this was the first time that condiment or tableware made from plastic [melamine] was thought to be worthy of design – that a humble mass-produced domestic item could make a design statement. This set certainly does that- they pay homage to mid-century modernist design and in the colouring, homage to the 70s.

The salt and pepper sets are [l to r] orange, russet-brown and chartreuse. The double egg-cup is matches the russet-brown salt & pepper set…although you can see it has it’ own little indentations either side of the egg-cups which house it’s own salt and pepper.

Start your Bessemer collection today…or add to your existing Bessemer collection…or better yet- use these funky pieces as part of your retro breakfast display!

For sale: $AUD80

Buy Now