Vintage shaving cloths

Vintage 1950s linen barber shaving cloths

We bought these vintage shaving cloths this week. Kept in traditional barbers, they were used for wiping cut-throat razors.

Vintage 1950s Irish linen barber shaving cloth made by Dunmoy Vintage 1950s linen barber shaving cloth with inscription: This is the cloth To wipe the blade To spare the towel To save the money To pay for the house That you built.

We thought they were fabulous – each having wonderful graphic illustrations featuring facial hair in its myriad of forms… and in one case, a little verse extolling the money-saving virtues of razor cloths over towels.

Vintage 1950s linen barber shaving cloth Vintage 1950s Irish linen barber shaving cloth made by Dunmoy. The Fitz Razor Line

These vintage shaving cloths are made of linen and date from the 1950s/60s era.

Vintage 1950s linen barber razor cloths

Having dealt with vintage homewares for many years, endless linen items from Northern Ireland have passed through our hands – manufacturers such as Dunmoy and Ulster Weavers. In addition to tea towels and place mats, it seems that razor cloths were also part of their massive output.

Vintage 1950s linen barber razor cloths

We thought that they had lots of potential as wall decoration in a vintage styled barbers or hairdressers… or would be equally at home in a domestic bathroom. They could be suspended from a row of small hooks – or perhaps, better still, simply framed and hung – singly or perhaps in small groups.

Forthcoming Attractions: Spring 2023

Group of vintage mid-century homewares for sale at H is for Home

It’s been a long, long time since we shared any fresh, vintage stock that’s heading to our webshop and our eBay listings page.

Group of vintage mid-century homewares for sale at H is for Home

We’d say that today’s offerings fall into two general vintage camps; mid century modern and antique rustic.

Group of vintage mid-century homewares for sale at H is for Home

The midcentury stock includes kitchenalia items and kids’ stuff…

Group of vintage mid-century art glass for sale at H is for Home

…and art glass including a number of attractive paperweights.

Group of various vintage rustic homewares for sale at H is for Home

Glass also features in our rustic antique grouping – in the form of a collection of apothecary or chemist bottles.

Group of antique wooden bobbins for sale at H is for Home

Also in this set is a dozen antique wooden bobbins – great for displaying and storing ribbon, wool or rope.

Pair of antique glass chemist bottles for sale at H is for Home

If you’re interested in anything, or if your on the lookout for anything in particular and would like us to keep an eye out on your behalf – get in touch with us.

Designer Desire: Juliette Belarti

Montage of tiled furniture by Juliette Belarti

Juliette Belarti is known for colourful ceramic tile designs usually seen on mid century modern coffee tables, nests of tables, home bars and door pulls.

So little is known about this artist, that there’s speculation that there isn’t actually a person named ‘J. Belarti’. It’s thought that it could perhaps be the work of a number of different artists or of a single person – the Belgian artist, Julien de Covemaeker.

I’ve found someone online who has helpfully shared photos of the pages of a Belarti catalogue. After some very slow and painstaking work, I’ve translated a couple of the passages of text from Dutch to English. Apparently, the first freehand decorated tile-topped coffee table was created in 1957 for a musician friend. The original Belarti ‘studio’ was in a garage and a very small kiln was located in a cellar.

After two years, the firm moved to larger premises in Mechelen – a city between Brussels and Antwerp in northern Belgium – and grew from strength to strength; becoming an équipe (crew) and gaining an international customer base.

Whoever Juliette Belarti may be, examples of work by this company or individual artist are readily available – try eBay, Etsy and Pamono.

Image credits:
1stDibs | Design by Davies

Auction alert: 20th Century Design sale

ALESSI electric kettle for Philips, type HD2001/A

Burstow & Hewett – who are located in Battle, East Sussex – are holding their 20th Century Design sale on the 22nd September 2022 from 10am.

We featured Burstow & Hewett earlier this year and here they are once again. They really do sell the best quality mid century modern furniture, homewares and accessories.

There’s a buyer’s premium and internet surcharge of 24% inc. VAT on top of the winning bid amount. Online bidding is also available via the EasyLiveAuction and The Saleroom websites. Check their websites for additional charges.

HANS BATTRUD, a set of 6 Scandia bent wood dining chairs

Lot 1502: HANS BATTRUD, a set of 6 Scandia bent wood dining chairs, height 93cm
Pitting to leg frames, some wear to rubber feet consistent with age and use, no labels.
Estimate: £500 – £800

ALESSI electric kettle for Philips, type HD2001/A

Lot 1504: An ALESSI electric kettle for Philips, type HD2001/A, in original box
Unused condition, in original box with wrapping and papers.
Estimate: £60 – £100

A mid-century Digitor alarm clock

Lot 1506: A mid-century Digitor alarm clock, width 10cm
Some paint chips to face, working order.
Estimate: £30 – £50

VICKE LINDSTRAND for Kosta, a rare large size ruby red Zebra vase

Lot 1515: VICKE LINDSTRAND for Kosta, a rare large size ruby red Zebra vase
Circa 1955, numbered LH1114, height 21cm. Good condition, no chips, cracks or restoration. Originally sold by the Swedish design store Wettergens.
Estimate: £600 – £800

TONY CRAGG, a designer trowel for Homebase in 2000, in partnership with Tate Gallery "At Home with Art"

Lot 1522: TONY CRAGG, a designer trowel for Homebase in 2000
In partnership with Tate Gallery “At Home with Art”, in original box. Good condition, box has tears to lid.
Estimate: £30 – £50

JULIETTE BELARTI, a tile topped coffee table, on brushed steel frame

Lot 1523: JULIETTE BELARTI, a tile topped coffee table
On brushed steel frame, signed tile, H 38 x 109 x 66cm. Good condition, no chips or cracks to tiles.
Estimate: £150 – £250

A mid-century design bolt of cotton fabric, with cactus and watermelon design

Lot 1535: A mid-century design bolt of cotton fabric, with cactus and watermelon design
Together with another panel (88x 235cm). Good condition.
Estimate: £60 – £100

A mid-century teak and cork table lamp

Lot 1544: A mid-century teak and cork table lamp
With new hesian (sic) shade, overall height 75cm. Good overall condition, untested.
Estimate: £60 – £80

A Staples Ladderax mid-century shelving unit

Lot 1595: A Staples Ladderax mid-century shelving unit
With single door wardrobe and 4 shelves, W124cm, H201cm, overall depth 42cm. Supports have been overpainted, chips and marks to shelving and wardrobe sections more evident on underside of shelving.
Estimate: £150 – £250

Peill and Putzler 1970s glass table lamp

Lot 1619: Peill and Putzler, Germany, a 1970s glass table lamp
With makers label, H 27cm x dia 35cm. Very good condition
Estimate: £150 – £250

CHARLOTTE PERRIAND, mid-century Les Arcs leather and chrome chair

Lot 1597: CHARLOTTE PERRIAND, France, a mid-century Les Arcs leather and chrome chair
Height 81cm. Good original condition, pitting to frame and marking to leather.
Estimate: £250 – £350

GIO PONTI for Uffici Montecatini by Parma Antonio and Figli

Lot 1616: GIO PONTI for Uffici Montecatini by Parma Antonio and Figli, Italy, a pair of tubular steel side chairs
Circa 1936, height 82cm.

ROBERT WELCH, a rare original 1960s lustre enamelled cast iron Sun dish or charger

Lot 1627: ROBERT WELCH, a rare original 1960s lustre enamelled cast iron Sun dish or charger
Diameter 30cm. Good original condition, some surface marking.
Estimate: £100 – £150

LOUIS POULSEN for Poul Henningsen aluminium pendant lamp

Lot 1658: LOUIS POULSON (sic) for Poul Henningsen aluminium pendant lamp
Shade diameter 50cm. Good condition, recently rewired and tested.
Estimate: £200 – £300