As I shared last week in THIS POST, I did a bit of antiquing and thrifting and found some great pieces. The outings also reminded me why I can’t do this too often! There is just so much good stuff out there and it can be hard to not bring it all home. I did pretty well at staying focused, though, and I found an absolutely incredible piece that deserved its own blog post. As I combed through the booths at a local antique shop for copper for my kitchen, I spotted a bread box that caused me to lean in and examine it closer. At first, I thought it was wood and enamel and nothing too exciting, but there was something that I recognized in the luster of the white material and I was certain when I saw the crazing. I removed the things on top of the box and lifted it off the shelf. The weight confirmed it. The mid-century decal and the fact that I’d never even heard of an ironstone breadbox almost made me miss it, but it was indeed an ironstone breadbox.
Can you believe that’s ironstone?!
And, even better, it was $16.00.
I turned it over to see if there was a mark and there was! Villeroy & Boch, Mettlach, Made in Saar-Basin. I was familiar with Villeroy & Boch (a German manufacturer of porcelain, ceramic, bone china, and stoneware) and was excited that I had a mark to identify and date the piece.
I was able to find my exact mark online, which identified my ironstone breadbox find as being made between 1918 and 1935.
I also did an initial Google search for “Villeroy & Boch ironstone breadbox” and found my exact box with a blue & white Delft design listed on 1st Dibs for $950. (It has since sold.) Without the pattern, I doubt mine is worth that much, but it’s a nice frame of reference to tell me I found a piece that is worth a lot more than $16.00. First things first…I need to get that decal off and then oil the wood.
The decal was clearly added by an owner somewhere along the way. It has a 1950s vibe to me, so I would guess that was when it was added. It scraped off easily with a razor.
As I was cleaning the inside of the box, I caught a glimpse of a blue and white design on the underside of the lid. I was able to pry off the back and see that the pattern was a simple blue and white check (I found a photo of a similar design in dots online), but, since there isn’t a design on the sides, I decided the keep the plain white ironstone as the breadbox top. I don’t know if an owner along the way turned the panel over or perhaps it was a decision made in manufacturing.
I just love the vent holes in the back…
And here is the ironstone breadbox all cleaned up and oiled…
Isn;t it such a cool piece?!
This ironstone breadbox is a great example of why I love shopping second-hand. You really never know what you’re going to find. I didn’t even know I should be on the lookout for an ironstone breadbox, but I stumbled across this rare find, anyway.
My mom asked if I was going to keep bread in it and the answer is no. I’ll use it for storing something, but the old hinges and wood backing on the top shed a bit, so it wouldn’t be the best place to keep food.
Now, this was an amazing find but, believe it or not, I found an even better one a few days later when my mom and I went to some thrift stores…
If you’d like to learn more about ironstone identification, care, and tips on collecting, you can find more blog posts about it HERE.
I’ve never seen a breadbox like that before–very cool! It looks a million times better without the decals.
I’m so happy for you!
It’s an amazing piece!
This is so unique!!! Great find as always!!
Wait. So this is a teaser???!!! You made an even better find? Do tell!
What a great find! Didn’t even know such a thing existed.
We have had an auction company haul away about 1/2 of our household goods so we can finish packing and move. I can’t wait to go on the hunt to replace some of these old things which I have loved for many years. It was difficult to get rid of them but I did remember what you said about finding new things to love…so that is my plan.
You must have the “thrift store fairy” on your shoulder when you go shopping. That breadbox could not be more perfect for your kitchen and your collection. Who knew that even existed? I once purchased some Corelle (that’s my thing) cups on Etsy, and was looking around for the saucers. I went to my local Goodwill, and I almost had an attact, when I saw, allllll the way on the bottom shelf a set of 8 Corelle saucers, with the green stripe to match my cups, for a $1 each. I couldn’t believe it. Sometimes that “fairy” sits on all our shoulders.
I had no idea ironstone bread boxes existed. But if there is something rare as that, you are going to find out. The thrifting stars are in alinement for you. I have a blue and white Villeroy & Boch fish platter. I haven’t been able to find another online like it, and it is one of my favorite pieces. Anxious to see what else you found.
It’s a beautiful piece. You have a good eye!
Oh, man! An even better one?!! This breadbox is pretty wonderful for your kitchen! Maybe another breadbox post tomorrow….?
Wow! What a treasure!!
That’s so cool!
It was waiting there for you🙂♥️
Holy stars! I didn’t know there was such a thing as an ironstone breadbox! It’s beautiful. I’m constantly amazed by things I find in thrift and antique stores.
That is absolutely YOU! And I can’t wait to see what could possibly be “even better”!
I’m also loving this recent find! You find items that the rest of us never knew existed! It is a wonderful find and you do have the knack for finding great things! Now you have hinted at another great find and we are very curious!
Great shopping! 🏆🥇🎖️
Marian , you did get a steal and a unique piece it is! I’m moving from Va to PA by August and am anxious to go on the hunt for new collectibles.
Wow! I had not idea that there was such a thing…and $16 to boot! Lucky you!!
Marian: Maryland is one of may favorite places to antique. Second only to Maine. Living in NE and your experience with MN the pickings are so much different. Great find. Good for you.
well, Bless your heart, you certainly earned that with all the scrounging and searching that you do. Most of us would have missed that. I am so happy for you.
Wow, what an unusual find! Who knew these existed!
Wow, what an unusual find! Who knew that those things existed? Seems pretty appropriate for your new/old world kitchen!
Treasure hunting is so fun and this box is a winner. The crazing inside! 🤍Looks so good in your kitchen.
Absolutely gorgeous! I have never heard of an ironstone bread box. Now I need one.
You are just amazing with the fantastic things you find sometimes just by accident! I would so much love to follow you to a couple of thrift stores. Your find is incredible. Who knew they even made an ironstone bread box?? All I can say is WOW!! It looks great on your counter.
After reading your blog this morning, I went to one of my favorite thrift stores and one of the first things I saw was a German Waechsterbach bread box that looks identical to yours in size and style. This one has lovely painted flowers on the top and sides. I paid $32 for it and am very happy with it.
I liked the worn dated decal!!! It’s cute both ways too!!!
I know you say you found an even better one, but maybe you could take that old piece of wood off (it does look sorta grodie and crumbley) and figure out a “non visible” way to keep the top porcelain in place (several dabs of clear caulk or glue along the sides?). That way, when you open the box, you’d actually see the nice blue and white check! Could use it for photo shoots, etc. (If using it for bread, maybe line it with unbleached parchment paper?)
Wow, what a treasure. And now you have plenty of display space for it
Such an amazing find that you stumbled upon. It’s a beauty!
Such a fabulous piece… and the price!!! This made me drool!