Continental and Rodney Kent

The favorites:



The products of the Continental Silver Company are the most popular of all aluminum giftware's, if the number of viewers of Continental post can be used as a gauge. Since the Aluminist went online, there have been 2,516 page views of the post Continental Silver Company, their patterns.

The detailed motif of a large mum is outstanding and the innovative use of applied leaves added just the proper amount of additional interest.

In the heyday of hammered aluminum sales, these items were one of the most decorative of all pieces made for buffet service, with Rodney Kent a close competitor. And for the same reasons. Each line was attractive, even when filled with food. Rodney Kent's ribbon and flower handles, in my opinion, made the product slightly more attractive when pilled high with goodies, but the chrysanthemum flower was more detailed and striking than that of the tulip.

However, it was the Rodney Kent name that first became recognized as that of a salable product among the dealers during the first  years aluminum wares appeared in the market place.  Yet Rodney Kent has had only half as many views as Continental.

The tulip finial and ribbon handles and legs, make this another great buffet piece. Rodney Kent made many pieces using Pyrex or other bakeware. Glass pieces, including Ruby glass added sparkle to many of their buffet items. The piece below was photographed at an angle, in order to show the detail of the flower and ribbon pedestal.

I have no idea of which Rodney Kent piece in the favorite of collectors. For me, it might be one of those breakfast sets with jam and jelly jars and one with glass inserts for condiments. My favorite would definitely have some of their sparkling glass inserts.

On the other hand, the all-time favorite of the Continental company most definitely is the large coffee maker. Almost all are in prime using condition and are gorgeous. So are the cocktail shaker, the coffee server, the sugar and creamer.....the beautiful salad set, and above all, the punch set.

More pictures soon.

Dannie

Wendell August Forge Motifs, #3

      The Forge, as the longest producing maker of aluminum gift wares, has such an extensive list of wares and motifs that the task of cataloging their entirety would be practically impossible for most collectors. We collectors usually consider the wars made between 1930 and 1978 as the "old aluminum" that we love to collect. 

      Bill Knecht, who became the owner of the Forge in 1978, agreed with this limitation, perhaps a little unhappily, but he too, loved the old aluminum, and backed our efforts whole heartily, as we began to record the background of aluminum wares.

     Before long, Bill added the letter "K' and "touch-marks" to the Forge's mark. This has been a boon to collectors, for it helps date the piece and it identifies the craftsmen and the die-maker. This chart  is a guide to some of the pieces in our collections. 

Saguaro cacti––tray motif

          

Sea horses––tray motif

Leaf motif on box lid.

Rhododendron  (?)

Swan motif on a small bowl

Looked in my storage closet this afternoon and thought I was in the midst of a nightmare. Shelves and shelves of aluminum met my eyes. I tried to forget that there are more shelves holding aluminum and also a few boxes stored in my old office building.  Some of my daughters and granddaughters  are fond of aluminum, but they can absorb only a limited amount.  A huge yard sale is planned ,,,probably months from now. Until then....

 Today's sale pieces, prices plus shipping not yet determined

Everlast w/rose motif
$15

Continental w/mum, appl'd leaves
$15

Everlast double tidbit w/pine
motif      $12.

Continental bread.w/mum. appl'd leaves
$12

Lots of projects in store here ...taking photos of aluminum, cataloging it, guests expected, weeds growing like crazy, and all needing attention NOW.

Hope to be more regular with future post.

Dannie