Uncovering the Fascinating History of Vintage Mixing Bowls


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About Old Fashioned Mixing Bowls

There is a classic struggle between modern convenience and vintage charm, especially in a kitchen. When it comes to mixing bowls, little compares with those old-fashioned bowls you can buy from Moody Mabel. Vintage mixing bowls are truly special pieces of history that have stood the test of time.

From being simple utilitarian items to becoming sought-after collectables today, old mixing bowls offer us a window into our past while providing us with practical tools we can use every day.

Mixing bowls have been a standard kitchen utensil for generations - like an apron on your grandmother, they are an item that is timeless. They take us back to times when cooking was done with love and care, antique mixing bowls make us feel more connected to the family cookery of the past. If we take a look at the history behind these iconic pieces of cookware we can understand why they are treasured by so many cooks today.

Vintage mixing bowls come in all shapes, sizes, materials and designs – from simple glass dishes to large ceramic and stoneware pots. Each type offers its own charm, but what makes them truly special is their combination of style and practicality; from times gone by when meals were made with patience and attention. To get a better understanding of where these much-loved kitchen staples came from, let’s take a look at where they came from.

Yellow ware

Yellow ware pottery has been around since the beginning of the 19th Century, possibly earlier, and it is still in production today. This type of pottery is made with yellow clay, giving rise to its name. It was popular for mixing bowls and other household items such as plates and jugs. The colour and glaze of these antique bowls make them highly desirable pieces to collect.

The best-known example of this style of pottery is the Mason Cash mixing bowl. It has become synonymous with baking thanks to its timeless design and constant appearance on TV cooking shows, and it looks just as good today as it did when it was first introduced nearly two hundred years ago. These classic antique bowls come in different sizes and shapes, making them perfect for any kitchen collection. 

Mason Cash Mixing Bowls

Image of a Mason Cash Mixing Bowl

The Mason Cash mixing bowl has been a staple of kitchens  since its introduction in the 1800s. Not only is it renowned for its durability and utility, but also an iconic piece of vintage kitchen decoration. The creamy white pottery with intricate beige cane designs on the outside (sometimes called cane ware) has inspired generations of home cooks to create recipes that are still enjoyed today.

These much-loved bowls can be found in many antique centres and auctions due to their popularity among collectors of vintage kitchenware. Online, Moody Mabel has one of the best and constantly changing collections around. Whether you're looking for a unique conversation piece or simply want to add some cottagecore charm to your home, there's no better way than decorating with these classic bowls. They're perfect for displaying on shelves or counters but are best used for preparing yummy cakes! Collecting vintage items like these adds a touch of nostalgia and personality to any kitchen space while making sure that they'll last through years of use. In more recent times, Mason Cash has branched out into many coloured variations of the classic bowls, to us the original colour works best.

“Gripstand” Mixing Bowls

Image of a Gripstand Mixing Bowl

This bowl is a well known piece of yellow ware designed with a wide rim, but more importantly with a cut-away section on the base allowing it to be easily balanced at an angle for stirring and whisking. Although it resembles the Mason Cash bowls it was developed by T.G. Green, a competing company in Church Gresley.

A Gripstand Mixing Bowl perfectly blends vintage charm and a slightly more practical style than a traditional Mason Cash bowl. With its durable construction, you know it won't let you down when you need it most! Indeed, we have discovered that old-fashioned mixing bowls are as functional as they are aesthetically pleasing. Here at Moody Mabel Towers (we don’t really have towers), it is a Gripstand bowl that is most used.

In our humble opinion, mixing bowls have come a long way since they were first used in the kitchen. They now come in all shapes and sizes, from classic Yellow ware to Gripstands. It's ironic that such an unassuming item has had so much of an impact on our kitchens, and remains as relevant today as it was 150 years ago.

Please do take a look at our Vintage Mixing Bowls collection, it changes regularly so if you don't find what you want today please do pop back.


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