Collectors Adore "Cheezy" Anthropomorphic Kitchen Collectibles

Collectors Enjoy Cheezy Ceramic Kitchen Novelties

Question: Is there such as thing as "cheezy" kitchen collectibles? You betcha your kitschy cheese spreader there is. I am pretty educated on this matter...as you may recall, I told the world about about my Grandmother Esther's Bingo adventures in the Catskill Mountains of New york back in the 50s and 60s.

Learning At Bing Games About Future Collectibles

This is when I learned all about the "cheezy" kitchen-wares which were given out as Bingo prizes that were destined to become today's sought after kitchen collectibles. For more background on this topic of bingo prizes and my Shabby Thrifty grandmother, read the introductory section in my book, "Hot Cottage Collectibles For Vintage Style Homes". Of course if you want to learn all about kitchen collectibles...you will love my book, "Hot Kitchen Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s (coming out next month in a second expanded edition).

Smiley Face "Anthropomorphic Tableware"

But now let me return to the matter at hand..." cheezy" ceramics which were generally imports and the type of kitchen accessory that you might find in your local Five and Dime store. These inexpensive housewares might be salt & pepper shakers, creamers, relish jars, tea bag holders, cruet sets, tea pots, spoon rests, cheese holders and trays etc. Often these novelty pieces had kitchen, fruit or vegetable themes with smiley faces and are called "anthropomorphic tableware". Of particular interest are the ones from PY/Miyao (Japanese imports).

Values of Kitchen Novelties Going Up

Today you would probably find these type of "cute" knick knacks at a "Dollar Store" or "The Christmas Tree Shops". But the kitchen-wares from the 40,s and 50s are hardly in the dollar category anymore. It is not unusual to find PY ceramics selling as high as $45.00-150.00.

For more about kitchen housewares and novelties please see my book "Hot Kitchen Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s (and beyond), soon to be released in a second edition July 2010. And a must read is Py Miyao Fun Kitchen Collectibles by Belinda Euans. You will see a great collection of "anthropomorphic tableware".

Read more:

Py Miyao Fun Kitchen Collectibles by Belinda Euans. http://www.amazon.com/Miyao-Fun-Kitchen-Collectibles-Reference/dp/0875886582

http://collectibles.about.com/cs/kitchenkitsch/gr/blBRpymiyao.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropomorphism

http://www.crazy4me.com/

Collectibles Photos courtesy of Dawn Forbes http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=1813674%3AAlbum%3A115300&xg_source=activity

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.