In the I Love lucy episode Little Ricky Learns to Play the Drums we see that a set of copper cookware has appeared in the kitchen where there used to be shelving. The copper cookware set looks like the traditional French style copper pots widely favored by chefs. Top of the line ranges such as Mauviel are much desired for their traditional style and craftsmanship and for the excellent heat conducting properties of copper when used over direct heat such as a gas flame (BTW copper bottom pots do not work on ceramic stovetops as far as I know).
Vintage sets of copper cookware can easily be found on eBay but some are only suitable as decorative items when any of the lining has worn away inside the pot. As decor hanging on the kitchen wall as seen in Lucy’s kitchen they give off a warm copper glow and lend vintage charm for the holiday season.
Vintage Copper cookware seen on eBay – click image for full details on eBay
In the above picture from the I Love Lucy kitchen we see a Swedish style coffee pot by Svensk on the top of the fridge. This type of antique three legged goose neck kettle (sometimes described as a Turkish coffee pot, chocolate pot or teapot) is usually made of copper so it adds a nostalgic traditional touch to the kitchen decor.
I see a nice “Swedish Hand Hammered Vintage Arts and Crafts” one on Etsy this week HERE and another one on eBay pictured below:
Copper Swedish Coffee Pot Kettle seen on eBay
The handle is hollow to hold a long wooden stick to be used when placing it over a hot fire without getting too close to the heat. Some people like the vintage patina on copper but you can bring back the shine by rubbng the copper with with a paste of vinegar and salt, or instead lemon juice and baking soda, or some use tomato ketchup. Click Here to see it on eBay or Click Here to Search for similar listings on eBay. Lucy’s copper kettle appears to be about 8″- 9″ tall when compared to the height of the breadbox below.
Asian style boy and girl salt and pepper shakers from the Cardinal China Company just like those seen on the shelf in the Ricardo’s Kitchen on I Love Lucy up for sale on eBay this week. See it on eBay
Square Plastic Cookie Canister in I Love Lucy kitchen “Charm School” episode.
See it on eBay
This red and white Luster Ware plastic cookie canister looks like the one in Lucy’s kitchen, however the one on the show appears to have a handle on top more like the Burrite canisters in yellow pictured below.
Lustro Ware ad from 1954 5-pc Starter Set priced $9.95
See it on eBay
Burroughs Mfg., Burrite, Yellow Plastic Canisters
The Salt box seen in the I Love Lucy kitchen was made by the same company as the ivy oil and vinegar double cruet, Olde Thompson, and has the markings on the bottom. It’s made of ceramic and is off-white/cream in color with a Rooster and floral design.
Above the salt box on the wall was a metal matchbox holder.
On eBay this week is a vintage Olde Thompson Salt Box in the Imperial Ivy design. The ivy design was also featured on the Olde Thompson cruet seen on I Love Lucy. The Ivy salt box was not seen on the show but there was an Olde Thompson salt box in the same shape on the wall near the kitchen sink.
The complete cruet set seen at an early date in the I love Lucy kitchenOlde Thompson Cruet similar to Lucy Rocardo’s on I Love Lucy matches the Salt Box
Lucy Ricardo’s coffee grinder can be seen in various locations in the kitchen throughout the I Love Lucy series. In the early episodes it is easily spotted on the kitchen shelf. Lucy’s coffee mill is a wooden hand cranked grinder with an ivy design on the front. I came across one just like it pictured below. The ivy decal appears to be hand painted. The wooden box has a 4.25″ square base and curved corners and the drawer has a distinctive metal handle, the knob on the crank arm is an inverted teardrop shape. I have searched extensively for an ID of the maker. One would assume this is an ordinary coffee mill much like any other but when you begin searching the subtle differences stand out. Some of the vintage European made wooden coffee mills look similar but only one I have come across matches well.
1950’s Coffee Mill with Ivy decal similar to Lucy’s
The only make I have found up to now that fits the form factor, measurements and shape of the components is the B.O. Garantie square Wooden Coffee Grinder that was made in Czechoslovakia until production ceased when the company was taken over by the state in 1950. They may have been imported and sold under a US brand but I have no information on that as yet. Below is a page from a vintage catalog showing some of the products of the B.O. Garantie firm. However I have not seen one with an ivy design in any of the old catalog pages I found online.
B.O. GARANTIE Vintage Catalog page . The Futura model on the top right has a similar shape to Lucy’s coffee grinder.B.O. Garantie Coffee Mill 1940’s
The B.O. Garantie firm has reopened in recent years under the nameLodos and they still produce coffee grinders today.
Vintage shabby B.O. Garantie coffee grinders can occasionally be found online. If you are a DIY enthusiast it should be easy enough to strip the paint from an old shabby one and and restore it to look like Lucy’s coffee grinder. [ For paint removal on any vintage item I recommend a safe paint stripper that can render inert any leaded paint layers for safe disposal (Lead Out™ Paint Stripper is highly recommended ).] Look for one that has no dovetail on the front seams, which you can tell by the vertical straight lines that appear on each side through the worn paint as seen in the picture to the right. (if it were dovetailed the square shapes would be seen). To restore the metal parts see the handy link below in the reference section.
Comparison of B.O.Garantie grinder (right) with an unmarked grinder like the one on I Love Lucy(left)
Nesco Breadbox and Canisters restoration – Just like Lucy Ricardo’s Set
A fine Nesco breadbox and canister set expertly restored to look like the set in the Ricardo’s kitchen on I Love Lucy – pictured above- submitted by a contributor to this blog who was inspired by the previous blog posts. “With the help of my dad, who sandblasted, painted and clear coated everything and a friend who helped with the graphics, I too now have those Nesco canisters that are used in my kitchen every day!”
Read more about the original Nesco design in this post.
Matchbox holder on wall in Lucy’s kitchenMatchbox holder like one seen in the I Love Lucy kitchen
Seen on Etsy this week is a metal matchbox holder for your kitchen wall just like the one in Lucy Ricardo’s kitchen. You place an open matchbox with the open end down through the top and the matches can easily be accessed via the chute at the base. These were practical when the gas stove had to be lit using a match or flint tool. Now they are sought for their retro appeal.
The cruet set seen on the wall in the I love Lucy kitchen
In the I Love Lucy kitchen you may have noticed a wall mounted salad set ( see previous post) Today I see these two sets -pictured below – that are not an exact match for Lucy’s set but will create a similar look on a kitchen wall.
This type of antique three legged goose neck kettle (sometimes described as a Turkish coffee pot, chocolate pot or teapot) is usually made of copper so it adds a nostalgic traditional touch to the kitchen decor.
See it on eBay
See it on eBay
See it on eBay
