Kitchenette (Nuways model furniture 8501-1)
| 2016 Exhibit |
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Kitchenette (Nuways model furniture 8501-1).jpg) (i)
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| location: |
| Arch Two , Area 19 Antique and Vintage Dollhouse Miniatures (display) |
A white 1:12-scale dollhouse model Kitchenette No.8501-1, sold by Bassett-Lowke Ltd. in the 1930s as part of the Nuways dollhouse furniture range.
The unit has two large opening side doors, top and bottom cupboard doors, two drawers and a slide-out work surface (which extends by opening the lower cupboard and pulling the slide pin forward on the cupboard upper surface). The doorknobs seem to be black-painted upholstery pins, and the back carries a purple ink rubber stamp-mark reading "MADE IN GERMANY".
Overview
The piece is perhaps not especially lovely, but it's very much of its time – classic 1930s "modern" – and would have chimed with W.J. Bassett-Lowke's insistence that interior furnishings should all be "bang up-to-date".
Brighton's Embassy Court building (completed in 1935) had its flats kitted out with very similar fitted kitchens – one set of which is preserved at Brighton Museum and Art Gallery – where it has rarity value, as most of the residents found the plethora of doors annoying, and had the units torn out.
1930s catalogue text:
- " An excellent representation of modern kitchen furniture equipment based on the unit system. Made of selected white wood and enamelled white with black metal knobs. All doors and drawers open and cupboards are fitted with shelves. Pull out shelf with linoleum covered top.
- No. 8591/1. Price 6/6d.
- Width ... 5 1/2"
- Depth ... 1 1/2"
- Height ... 6"
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