My Vintage world
Mikki Towler, owner of The Antique Kitchen, shares her passion for old kitchenalia
What appeals to you about old things?
Everything! Who wants an item that everyone else has? I just love antiques – their individuality; the warmth and history they bring to a room. If you start a collection, it’s great fun searching for items. I collect Victorian white banded kitchen storage jars and am always on the hunt for ones I don’t have. They look lovely in my kitchen and are very useful, too. Best of all, they are a great investment.
Why kitchen antiques in particular?
The kitchen is my favourite room and when I started selling 27 years ago, antiques for the kitchen were the most affordable. I love early tins, treen, white ironstone and advertising pieces. Being a dealer I can swap and change my kitchen pieces, and I continually upgrade.
What’s your most memorable find?
I’ve had many unforgettable finds over the years, but not so many recently as the bargains aren’t about like they used to be. My best find was at an evening auction and funnily enough wasn’t for the kitchen!
Standing at the back was a Victorian castiron lion and unicorn – both were covered in white gloss paint, but they were a perfect pair; the unicorn even had her horn, which is often missing. I got them for the ‘huge’ sum of £26. I then hand-stripped them and now they’re worth at least £1,500.
What advice do you have for buying kitchenalia?
Buy quality. Avoid badly stained or broken pieces, because they won’t ever be an investment, but don’t let a hairline crack or small chip spoil the pleasure of adding to your collection. Be wary of reproductions, as there are many on the market at the moment; for example, white ironstone slabs are now being made from original moulds. If an item is too good to be true, it usually is. Choose a reputable dealer to guarantee items are original. Most of all, have fun!