Displaying in a small space, part 1

Earlier this year my husband Ed and I downsized from a four bedroom home into a two bedroom apartment in a retirement community. Since then I’ve been lax in writing new blog posts, and I apologize. But today marks my return to posting regularly. My goal going forward will be to post monthly, on the 15th. Thank you for your patience!

Over the past four months we’ve slowly made this smaller place a home. But with much less wall space (and even less storage space) I realized displaying collectibles would be a challenge. What to keep or sell? What to display?

As I begin to make decorating decisions I’m selecting trivets that are my personal favorites. I want them to be pleasing to the eye while also serving as interesting examples.

Here’s my first completed display. A small corner by the front door now features a grouping of Queen Victoria collectibles from the UK. There’s also room inside this small, glass topped table to accommodate a 12″ turntable of little antique irons and trivets. (I’ll eventually choose one or two trivets or stands to hang above the spoon case.)

Because of the tendency of metal objects to mar walls, I repainted this corner in the existing Sherwin Williams color but selected a semi-gloss finish for durability and washability.

Which trivets and stands did I choose to keep and display?

Displayed on the wall

Top Row, L to R:

● Greenlees “Rub” ~ Brass, 9 1/2 x 4 3/8″ w/three 1” ornamental cleated legs. Offered in japanned CI, NPCI and Brass. On face: RUB WHILE THE IRON IS HOT. On reverse: GREENLEES GLASGOW (Scotland) and Rd No. 35659 (for 1885). The design on the face is of a laundry stove with irons; Rub referred to waxing the hot iron. See Blog Post.

● Muster geschutzt ~ Nickel plated cast iron, 9 3/4 x 3″ with three 3/4″ feet and a 3/4″ top rail to keep an iron in place. This is the only stand displayed that’s not from the UK; it’s German.  Inscribed on reverse: Muster geschutzt, which is German for “pattern protected”. See Blog Post.

● Kenrick No. 9 ~ CI, 10 3/8 x 4 1/2” w/three1 3/8” legs. Two posts on front act as iron guides. On reverse: A. K. & SONS, No 9, and Rd 15022 (for 1884). Filed gate mark along edge. A Christopher Dresser inspired design.

● Blackpool ~ Brass, 9 x 4 1/4″ with three 1 3/8″ legs. Blackpool is a seaside resort town in Lancashire, England. The Blackpool Tower and Grand Theatre opened in 1894.

Middle Row, L to R:

● British Empire ~ CI, 6 1/8” round w/four thick 1/2” feet. Golden wash to metal. On face, symbols of the worldwide British Empire: Royal Coat of Arms plus the shamrock, thistle, English rose, elephant, kangaroo, beaver and ostrich. On reverse: Rd No. 312842 (for 1898). 

● Ready Ready Aye ~ Brass, 7 1/8 x 3 5/8” w/three 3/4” feet shaped like horse’s hooves. On face: cannon, horseshoe, and boot spur. “Ready Aye Ready” was the motto of the 1st Brigade of the Glamorgan Artillery Volunteers of Wales.

● Victoria Square ~ Brass, 6 1/2” square w/four 1/2” cleated feet. On face: REIGNED 60 YEARS ENTHRONED 1837. On reverse: Rd No 287788 (for 1896).

Bottom Row, L to R:

● IOM Horseshoe ~ CI, 6 1/4 x 5 1/2″ w/three 3/4″ feet. On face: A PRESENT FROM THE ISLE OF MAN. Design features two Trisceles, as well as a three-legged leprechaun. On reverse: SW D and Rd No 209567 (for 1893).

● Britain’s Might Iron Stand ~ CI, 7 1/8 x 3 3/8″ w/three5/8″ feet. Features a rifle with bayonet, two swords and a handle formed by two pistols. Long rough gate mark along side. On face:  BRITAIN’S MIGHT IRON STAND and REGd No 352236 (for 1900).

● London Bridge ~ CI with a brownish-red wash, 9 5/8 x 5 3/4″ with four 1 1/4″ legs. There is a center bracket  attachment w/wing nut. Six (yes!) gate marks along one side edge. Rd No. 249005 (for 1895).

● Twig & Bluebird ~ CI, 5 7/8 x 3 5/8″ w/three 3/4” feet. Bird is accent painted gold.  On reverse: Rd 623836 (for 1913).

Surrounding the Queen Victoria sterling spoons cabinet

● Coronation of Edward II ~ Brass, 4 1/2 x 4 1/4” w/three 5/8” feet. On face: EDWARD AND ALEXANDRA CROWNED JUNE 1902. On reverse: REG 385832 (for 1902). Albert Edward succeeded his mother Queen Victoria upon her death in January of 1901. After a year of mourning the Coronation was held in 1902. 

● Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Portrait ~ Brass, 8 5/8 x 5 1/8” w/two 1” legs and two cleated supports. On face: 60th YEAR OF H.M. REIGN. On reverse: REG’D. Note the fantastic detail in the casting, down to the texture in her headscarf. 

● Hatton #2 ~ CI, 10 x 5 1/8″ w/four large 1 1/4” lion paw feet. On face: same legend as #1, plus W. R. HATTON & SONS. LTD. WORMWOOD SCRUBS LONDON. The two ovals each held a non heat conducting asbestos pad. On reverse: unusual, un-filed 3/4″ long x 3/4″ high wedge mark at center. Rd No. 272029 (for 1896). See Blog Post.

PS: The subject of the small framed portrait is John Brown, a Scottish personal attendant of Prince Albert and, after Albert’s death, of Queen Victoria. Was their relationship platonic, or more? This NYT opinion piece, A Queen’s Forbidden Love by Julia Baird, explores the possibilities.

Inside the display case

● Gothic Sword Hilt #2 ~ Brass, 11 x 3 3/4” w/three1 1/8” ornamental legs. On face: a crown and VR. Unsigned on reverse

● Deykin & Sons “The Eclipse” Tea Pot Stand ~ Tile, 6 1/2” round, inset into an electroplated silver trivet frame with three bun feet. On face: The Jubilee Tea Pot Stand. Queen Victoria Ascended the Throne 1837. Long May She Reign. On reverse: advertising. See Blog Post.

In future blog posts I’ll discuss any trivets not yet documented in Trivetology. I’ll also share images and information about the little irons and trivets on that turntable.

Before the move …

Update 10/15/24

See the continuation of this discussion: Displaying in a small space, part 2.