This is a continuation of LAST APRIL’s challenge about
HEIRLOOMS. When my sister and I cleaned out our parents’ home, we had to make
many decisions about what to do with all the stuff. Which things are truly
“valuable” and which have only sentiment in their favor? Should we sell it,
keep it, or throw it away? To help ensure a future for our family’s heirlooms,
I plan to leave a booklet for my daughters telling the stories of what they
will inherit one day. (Not TOO soon, I hope!)
is for Hammered Aluminum serving pieces. Not a single
piece that I own came by way of family, not that I recall anyway. I remember my
maternal grandmother had aluminum coasters, but the pieces I own were
definitely not hers.
I bought mine at a church bazaar, and they were
practically giving them away. Aluminum trays are not expensive, but they are
collectible.
Hammered aluminum was introduced during the Depression
era as an alternative to fine silver. Trays, bowls, ice buckets, casserole
dishes, candy dishes, and even jewelry were marketed to blue-collar households
but even white-collared households appreciated the craftsmanship.
I enjoy using the aluminum trays for serving desserts or
gathering glasses at casual get-togethers. The tiered tidbit is fun for serving
cookies and fruit.
Wendy
© 2019, Wendy Mathias. All rights reserved.
I hadn't heard of these before. Collectible too! I don't think I ever saw them anywhere or even pictures of them until now.
ReplyDeletebetty
I'm not sure why this surprises me, but I guess if you don't go to antique shops, you wouldn't see them. Now I bet you'll notice if you run across any at a thrift store.
DeleteThose are really cool. I love collectible pieces that I can actually use rather than stuff away in a drawer.
ReplyDeleteYes, these are a nice substitute when you don't want to go all fancy shmancy with real silver.
DeleteThese are really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love the carved designs. Well, I guess it's not really CARVED - maybe pressed??
DeleteI have a couple of pieces like this that I picked up on ebay. I really like the look and the memories they bring back.
ReplyDeleteDB McNicol, author
Microfiction: Hen
I love the trays especially because they are so versatile.
DeleteNice pieces and serviceable. Best thing is they don't tarnish and need polishing. Believe it or not, I don't think I have ever had any hammered aluminum in my collections.
ReplyDeleteRight! (Although, I really don't mind polishing.)
DeleteI don't have a single piece of hammered aluminum but I do like it.
ReplyDeleteWHAT? I'm rather surprised your grandmother or grandaunt didn't have at least ONE tray to pass on to you. They seemed to have had everything else. Maybe they just had the good stuff.
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