Quick Facts About Collectible Aluminum
- Most hammered aluminum pieces made their way into homes from the 1930s through the 1950s as wedding gifts. Colorful anodized aluminum wares were popular with homemakers through the ‘50s and early ‘60s.
- Popular names to look for on collectible hammered aluminum pieces are Arthur Armour, Continental Silver Company, Everlast, Buenilum, Rodney Kent and Pamer-Smith.
These are a few of the pieces of hammered aluminium currently on display in my shop, 2nd fl Thriftiques. The piece on the far right with the pedestal base is a lazy susan. A different bowl is resting on top. I love the trays, they are the right size for taking drinks and snacks to the patio. I feel so June Cleaver-ish using them.
Of course drinks can't be served without an ice bucket. The one pictured here is just the right size for a small party.The most valuable pieces of hammered aluminum are signed by the maker and have elaborate patterns stamped unto the metal. Unusual shapes and vessels are also of interest to collectors.
These two pieces are candlestick holders. One obviously so but the larger of the two, I'm not sure if that was its original purpose. Along with putting in a small candle, I have candy sitting on the flat portions.Was It Really Hand Hammered?
Most of the really expensive pieces in this field were indeed hand hammered, but the majority of the items sitting in antique malls now were machine made with a dimpled surface to give them a hand finished look.
Items available in hammered aluminum range from ice buckets to coaster sets and bookends to ashtrays.
Small canister with lid.
Chip and dip platter.Please be sure to visit Beth and the other participants for today's Silver Party and a giveaway. Beth is having a Silver Sunday Giveaway and promises something shiny for the lucky winner.
Speaking of Giveaway's .... there is still time to enter mine. Drawing will be held Tuesday evening. This is your chance to have a bit of Maine come to you, if you can't visit Maine. Please see Maine Giveaway - Help Me Celebrate for all the details.
Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie
14 comments:
Hi Sherrie, Happy Silver Sunday! I like your hammered aluminum pieces. They are the epitome of their era. Thanks for sharing and I hope you're having a great weekend :)
Hi Sherrie, I am Sherry with a Y. You have a wonderful collection of aluminum. I love the chip and dip container. It has such a lovely shape and embossed design. I had not seen one of those in aluminum before. Thanks for sharing, ~~Sherry~~
Love your collection of hammered aluminum, it's so pretty... and thanks for all the info about it!! Happy SS... Blessings~~~ Daphne
Hey girl,
Where in Maine is your shop? I live in Sanford, so I hope I am close enough to visit.
I LOVE aluminum and wanted to ask you if you have any tips on cleaning and polishing your treasures? I am not really happy with my collection and have been trying to find the best cleaners and polishing supplies.
Can you help a fellow thrifter out, please. Oh, and happy belated birthday, mine is coming up too and I plan to do the same GW store shopping too. Great minds do think alike.
Hi Sherrie!
I had to come over and see you today and catch up on your posts.
You have a great collection of hammered aluminum. I think it's making a comeback because we are seeing it selling more in our shop.
I love the trays the best.
hugs
Sissie
Hi Sherrie!I'm so glad I got to stop by today! I love you hand-wrought aluminum. I have over 70 peices. Mostly Rodney Kent, Continental, August Wendell..who still produces beautiful peices in Dover Ohio and another small town in Pa.....Farberware,and other lesser known. If you browse thru some of my past posts and Tablescape Thursday posts you'll see various peices. Also, check out Black-eyed Susan on my blog list she's as bad as I am when it comes to aluminum ;) My Gandma told me The aluminum was the poormans silver, but she said it was really popular cause it didn't need shining. In the WWII the plants were turned into war companies and much of the aluminum pieces in homes were turned in for the war effort...she saved two peices tho..her lazy susan by Rodney Kent with the crystal segmented bowl and lid and the matching chafing dish.
I also have a few hammered aluminum pieces. They are still easily found and sometimes for bargain prices. You have some nice pieces.
-Danielle
I love hammered aluminum! I have a few pieces...I just recently started collecting it. There are so many fun pieces and it reminds me of my childhood. I remember the ladies at church serving tea sandwiches on aluminum trays.
Hammered aluminum is one of my favs! Especially the trays....so many uses! Thanks for playing along and good luck!
hugs
Beth
This was a fun visit.....learning about the hammered aluminum. I inherited only one piece, which I love using....an old ice bucket. Happy Silver Sunday and I hope you have a great week.
wwaaaaahhhhh You are all the way in Maine?!?! I just popped over to your other blog 2nd Fl Thirfitque Shop OMG WooHoo WoW Now is when I wish Twightlight Zone was real and I could wiggle right thru to your shop!!
I see these pieces at my GW all the time and didn't know their history. Maybe I'll grab something good with all the information you shared! I'll let you know for sure.
Sherrie, thanks for sharing your collection of hammered aluminum. My mom had pieces when we were growing up, of which I inherited her fruit basket. She still has a large tray and water pitcher which I hope will come join the basket some day. :-)
Sorry I missed your celebration. I'm having one this month for HFTS One Year Anniversary. I hope you'll pop over and join in the fun. I'm late arriving and posting for Silver Sunday this month, but have now shared some recent sliver finds. Stop in to see. ~ Sarah
Loved this post since I love this hammered aluminum and yet I don't own any of it. You have a beautiful collection. They are so pretty. I learned a lot today.
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