Rediscover The Forgotten Gadget That Defined A Generation!
September 11, 2024
source: eBay
Do you recall the days of summer when as a child you would be in the kitchen and the aroma from a dish that was being prepared would penetrate the entire house? Perhaps you remember your mother or grandparent having a variety of interesting kitchen accessories that you found amusing as a child – from the chicken shaped salt and pepper shakers to the beautifully designed and patterned trivets that were so cheerful on the counter. There is one item that will probably bring fond memories – the vintage cast iron metal frog trivet, which has stained glass inserts that are painted in red, green and yellow. Trivets of this nature were not only a utility item — they were enjoyable to use and made kitchens more cheerful.
This frog trivet like many other cast iron kitchenware of the period was made with a view of lasting long. In the 1950s and the 1960s, things like this weren’t merely useful; they also had to look good. Housewives were very conscious of their kitchen environment, and as such manufacturers ensured that the products which were being produced were not only durable but also beautiful. The stained glass panels built into the frog’s back were not just for the aesthetics because they illuminated in a rather spectacular manner but they were indicative of a bigger trend of incorporating brightly colored glass into homes of this period. As for kitchens, they were the center of the house, the gathering place of the family and having these small splashes of color added to this room was quite comforting.
The frog trivet also has some information on the culture of the period in which it was made. The ‘50s and the ‘60s were the decades of the mass production but people still wanted to have the charm and individuality in household items. These trivets like this one were not just the everyday items they served as, it was a period where even items used in everyday life had some sort of character to them. It was not a secret that they were wearing, but they were not flashed either, kept hidden in a drawer. This desire for not only utilitarianism but also aesthetics is typical of the post-war era and the belief that even such everyday occurrences as cooking or serving a hot meal could be made more interesting and artistic.
When I see a trivet like this cast iron frog today it reminds me of all the good things that I had when I was young. It’s not just a piece of kitchenware, it’s a tiny piece of the past, a reminder of the time when a kitchen wasn’t just a place where food is being prepared, but also where memories are being made. Even if you still use one in your home or if you just like to look back at the nostalgic moments then this cute little frog is a testament to the fact that even such mundane objects can become a part of our lives and our memories which define who we are today.