Skip to main content

Vintage Enamelware Bowls

I have a penchant for mixing bowls, all types of mixing bowls.  Bowls are a must in any home because they are practical and helpful with a number of tasks in the kitchen.  From holding items for your mise en place and mixing batters, to serving portions at the table and storing leftovers, a good set of mixing bowls will always be welcomed in the kitchen.


Vintage enamelware bowls have slowly started to make their way into my home, because I find them to be charming and a perfect fit with the other vintage kitchen items that I love to collect.  I first took notice of them while visiting flea markets eons ago, but I never really inspected such pieces up close.  They were "filed away" in my memory under a future maybe/maybe not.

To put it simply, it didn't take long for me to get the first set of vintage enamelware bowls into the kitchen before they started to multiply.  It was instant attraction. 


Enamelware began to be manufactured in this country in the late 1800s, and continued to be produced right up until the end of World War II.  What made enamelware such a sought-after kitchen must-have, was its durability, its practicality, its affordability, its light-weight properties, and its usefulness in homes throughout the country.  No longer was it necessary to deal with heavy, stoneware bowls and pans that could chip, crack or break, because enamelware was virtually indestructible.

Made from light steel and coated with a colored porcelain enamel, each piece was then baked at very high temperatures.  This created a very durable finish, that was smooth and shiny.  Enamelware became a staple in many kitchens for this simple reason.  Bowls, ladles, pots and pans, basins, pitchers, percolators, mugs, plates and a number of other kitchenalia, were manufactured for decades by several American companies, such as the St. Louis Stamping Company (this later moved to Granite City, Illinois; hence the name 'graniteware'), Vollrath, Lalance and Grosjean of New York (they made blue-colored agateware), and the Bellaire Stamping Company.  One might venture to say that enamelware could be found in just about every American kitchen at the turn of the twentieth century.

In terms of colors, white was the most popular.  White pieces were often given a contrasting color along the rims of the vessels, with blue, red and black being the predominant colors.  Graniteware, which was given a speckled finish, became another popular type of enamelware; these finishes were often found in blue, red, and gray.  Other colors that were made during this time include orange, green, brown, purple and pink.  Many pieces meant for cooking, such as pots, pans, roasters and molds, were given contrasting colors on the insides.

The manufacturing of enamelware took a break for about twenty years, before starting up again in the 1960s.  Manufacturers around the world have been producing beautiful, utilitarian pieces using these traditional methods for decades.  Among my favorite of these international brands is Kockums of Sweden.


Of late, before I even reach for one of my prized stoneware bowls off a shelf or for some of my jadeite bowls that are in my cupboards, I will grab an enamelware bowl.  I love not having to worry about being extremely gentle with these bowls when I'm preparing food or desserts. 


Since enamelware, especially the vintage variety, is prone to cracking or chipping, I make it a point to look for pieces that aren't too damaged.  A little bit of scratching on surfaces is normal, a chip here and there is not uncommon.  If the pieces are used for display purposes only, then chipping and rusting shouldn't present any type of dilemma.  If, however, you plan to use your pieces for food preparation, then I strongly suggest that you find those which have no chipping on the inside surfaces, where food items will sit.


Vintage enamelware isn't for everyone, I know, but if you do in fact want to start a collection, visit a flea market and see what catches your attention.



Enamelware's bygone style and appeal is something that makes them suitable for our old home.  I love how they look sitting in my colonial kitchen ready to be used for the next job.  Because my bowls are old pieces, I do treat them with great care so that I can enjoy them for many years.  The bowls don't get placed in the dishwasher and they are not scoured with stiff pads or sponges.  I like to hand wash each piece in warm, soapy water, using a natural sponge or a soft bristle brush.  Metal whisks, spoons and spatulas are not used for food preparation whenever I use my vintage enamelware.  Instead, I use silicone spatulas and wooden spoons.  

I hope I've sparked an interest in enamelware for you.  Utilitarian, charming, and undoubtedly useful, are just some of the virtues of enamelware from olden days.  Don't overlook it the next time you're out antiquing, because you may find yourself wanting to use it just as much as I do. 

Comments

  1. I've always loved the cream colored enamelware with the green band. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am looking for the cream and green edge enamelware dishes for our vintage camper . I was able to find reproduction white with red edging for another vintage camper we have. Since finding older pieces in good enough shape to use for eating off of as opposed to display i am hoping to find some reproductions. Have you come across any?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Amy, how nice that you too collect old enamelware! And that you use it for camping etc, is fantastic. I'm not aware of anyone reproducing that vintage cream green enamelware version, but there are some very nice contemporary pieces on Food 52s website. Go on there and take a look at the mint green/white two tone ones. They're gorgeous.

      Delete
    2. I really want to find the cream and green vintage as they are the correct era for out vintage trailer. I am mostly looking for the pots and pans in good usable condition ( preferably with lids). You don't by any chance sell any or do you just collect them? I have been watching etsy and eBay mostly. I would love to know your thoughts.

      Delete
    3. Amy, eBay and Etsy are good sources for this type of vintage enamelware. If you're going to use them, look for pieces that aren't chipped or rusted.

      I don't sell enamelware, unfortunately. Whatever pieces I have are used and loved in our home.

      Best of luck in amassing a great enamelware collection!!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thank You for Posting!

Popular posts from this blog

Antique Salt Cellars

There was a time when salt cellars played an important role on the dining table for the host or hostess.  As a result of it being such an expensive commodity several hundred years ago, salt was seen as a luxury and it was the well to do that made salt cellars quite fashionable & a status symbol for the home.  A single salt cellar usually sat at the head of the table and was passed around throughout the meal.  The closer one sat to the salt cellar, the more important one was deemed by the head of the household.  Smaller cellars that were more accessible and with an open top became a part of Victorian table settings.  Fast forward to the 20th century when salt was no longer a luxury and when anti caking agents were added to make salt free-flowing, and one begins to see salt cellars fall out of fashion.  Luckily for the collector and for those of us who like to set a table with Good Things , this can prove to be a boon. Salt cellars for the table come in silver, porcelain, cut glass

Collecting Jadeite

With its origins dating back to the 1930s, jadeite glassware began its mass production through the McKee Glass Co. in Pennsylvania. Their introduction of the Skokie green & Jade kitchenware lines ushered in our fascination with this jade color.  Glassmakers catered jadeite to the American public as an inexpensive alternative to earthenware soon after the Depression, both for the home and for its use in restaurants.  The Jeanette Glass Company and Anchor Hocking introduced their own patterns and styles, which for many collectors, produced some of the most sought after pieces.  Companies marketed this beautiful glass under the monikers of jadite , jadeite , jade glass , jad-ite , jade-ite , so however you want to spell it, let it draw you in for a closer look.  If you want a thorough history of the origins of jadeite, collectors’ pricing, patterns & shapes (don’t forget the reproductions in 2000), I highly suggest picking up the book by Joe Keller & David Ross called, Jadei

How to Paint a Chair

If you have ever felt the need to spruce up a set of chairs or give them a new look, why not try a little bit of paint?  Our tastes in decor and color will probably alter throughout our lives, and at some point, we may find ourselves wanting to change the look of our furniture without having to spend a lot of money.  That's where a few handy tips, some tools from the hardware store, and good-quality paint come in handy.   I know I'm not alone in paying visits to local antique shops, antique fairs and flea markets, and falling in love with pieces of furniture that would be perfect if they were just a different color.  You don't have to walk away from a good purchase simply because it's the wrong color.   My dear friend, Jeffrey, is forever enhancing his home with collectibles from flea markets and tag sales.  However, certain items aren't always up to Jeffrey's tastes when he brings them home.  He is the type of person who won't hesitate to chang