A beautiful “Ober” stand, possibly a prototype

In June of 2007 an unusual, 6 1/4″ diameter nickel-plated sad iron stand (trivet) with 4 short feet appeared on eBay. It shared some similarities with the Ober Square Leaf design.

At the time I discussed this trivet with several other collectors. The fact that it was unsigned, which was not Ober’s practice, raised some doubts. As an Internet auction, not being able to examine it was a stumbling block. But one thing we all agreed on was that it was fascinating and rare! The ending eBay price, after fifteen bids, was $202. Tim Martien of Chagrin Falls, Ohio was the winner of that eBay auction.

I was able to locate and interview Tim for my second book (The Expanded A to Z Guide To Collecting Trivets, 2010, page 126). He provided the images above and below and shared the following:

“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to purchase the very special “experimental” Ober style trivet on eBay in 2007. It is round with four sharply defined rose buds and a buckeye sprig in the center. Instead of marketing this design, I believe the Ober Company elected instead to produce a similar but smaller model having a little less sharpness of detail: the Ober Square Leaf design with a five-leaf buckeye sprig.”

Tim Martien with his Ober collection (2009)

Below, from my collection, is the nickel-plated cast iron Ober Square Leaf stand measuring 4 1/4″ square with 4 feet.

Sadly, Tim Martien passed away in 2012. I often wondered happened to his Ober collection and that elusive trivet- until I came upon this ended Cowan’s auction from 9/17/16. Lot #198 sold for $150 and was most likely from his estate.  www.cowanauctions.com/lot/ober-manufacturing-co-cast-iron-trivets-185612/

Shared with permission of cowensauctions.com/

In the years since I’ve never come across another stand like Tim’s “experimental Ober”.  If any reader has knowledge of that unusual design, please Contact Me.

Related Trivetology blog posts

The Ober Manufacturing Company