{"title":"Curios","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmerican historical curiosities including small \u0026amp; decorative items\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"charming-vintage-american-folk-art-shop-display-figure","title":"Charming Vintage American Folk Art Wooden Shop Display Figure, 38cm","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeet the shopkeeper. 🇺🇸\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSomewhere in America, this wonderfully characterful wooden figure was made to stand in a shop and catch the customer’s eye.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot the polished perfection of a factory-made advertising figure, but something far more individual: a hand-carved character with a wonderfully naive expression and a personality all his own.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow many generations of customers passed him before the shop itself disappeared? Somehow, the little shopkeeper survived.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStanding 38cm high, he is carved and painted in warm rust-brown tones. His left hand has a small hole between the fingers, suggesting that he once held something specific — perhaps a product, a sign or an implement connected with the trade he represented. Whatever it was, that small detail adds another layer to his story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wonderfully evocative piece of folk-art-style shop display, with the charm of an object made for everyday working life rather than simply for decoration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA distinctive addition to a collection of Americana, folk art or unusual decorative antiques.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cobham Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67363839901945,"sku":null,"price":95.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/7671\/5513\/files\/DSC_0271.jpg?v=1791970349"},{"product_id":"carved-19th-century-antique-bugbear-box-folk-art-tribute-to-the-usa","title":"Carved 19th Century Antique Bugbear, Box folk-art tribute to the USA","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo the 19th Century, somewhere in Central America.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA craftsman creates an extraordinary thing, a bugbear box tribute which to them maybe a mythical place, the United States of America 🇺🇸\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAround its surface they created their own naive homage - buildings, ships, figures and scenes depicting their vision of a distant country. And amongst them stands the Statue of Liberty and the American Eagle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wonderful antique piece of hand-carved folk art. Inside a curious pencil inscription reading “02.25”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e19th century | Central America | 13cm wide\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWorldwide shipping available.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExtraordinary Things, Americana.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cobham Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67365750243577,"sku":null,"price":194.7,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/7671\/5513\/files\/DSC_0162.jpg?v=1791989275"},{"product_id":"american-kenton-cast-iron-savings-bank-early-20th-century","title":"Antique American Kenton cast Iron Savings Bank. Early 20th century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA miniature American bank vault 🇺🇸\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLong before online banking, someone kept their spare change in this rather fabulous miniature American safe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMade from cast iron, this little bank is surprisingly elaborate: pierced scrolling decoration, a griffin-like bird guarding the door, a tiny turning handle and “SAVINGS BANK” cast into the ornate lid, with a combination-style dial on the front.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInside, “KENTON BRAND” is cast into the metal. Made by the Kenton Hardware Company of Kenton, Ohio, one of America’s notable cast-iron toy manufacturers, this little money box takes the form of a miniature bank safe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt just 11cm tall, it is small in scale but full of the confident ornamental detail that makes these American cast-iron still banks so appealing — designed to encourage a child’s saving habit while looking like something altogether grander.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith a naturally aged patina, it is a wonderfully characterful survivor from an age when even a child’s money box could masquerade as a bank vault.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmerican | Kenton cast-iron savings bank | Early 20th century | 11cm high\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorldwide tracked shipping available.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExtraordinary Things. Americana\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 🇺🇸\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cobham Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67365806702841,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/7671\/5513\/files\/DSC_0301.jpg?v=1791990701"},{"product_id":"american-political-memorabilia-republicans-v-clinton","title":"1990s “New Clinton Penny” – American Political Memorabilia \u0026 Presidential Satire","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA penny for your thoughts, Mr President?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 🇺🇸\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the 1990s, America had a new President… and apparently, a new penny.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis tongue-in-cheek piece of American political memorabilia features a miniature Lincoln cent displayed beneath a magnifying window, accompanied by a rather pointed message:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“NEW CLINTON PENNY\u003cbr\u003eAND GETTING\u003cbr\u003eSMALLER\u003cbr\u003eSMALLER”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduced during Bill Clinton’s presidency, the joke is simple: the humble American penny — and perhaps the value of your money — was getting smaller under the new man in the White House.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is a wonderfully homespun piece of 1990s Americana. The hand-lettered “NEW” to either side, tiny copper-coloured cent and optimistic “PAT. PEND.” marking all add to its charm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn apple provides a playful sense of scale, revealing just how small this little political statement really is.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVersions of the same joke exist bearing the names of other US presidents, turning the humble penny into a wry comment on inflation and the value of money under their watch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA genuine piece of American political satire, with a real coin at its centre — and a curious little survivor from an era of American politics that now feels rather more innocent than our own.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"MailOutline\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubject: Bill Clinton and American presidential satire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin: United States\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod: c.1990s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType: Political novelty and collectible Americana\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeatures: Miniature US cent in a magnified display, with printed political message\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA characterful conversation piece for collectors of Americana, political memorabilia and quirky curiosities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorldwide tracked shipping available.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCobham Antiques\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExtraordinary Things. Quality Antiques, Vintage \u0026amp; Americana for the Considered Home\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cobham Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67375032336633,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/7671\/5513\/files\/DSC_0025.jpg?v=1792051258"},{"product_id":"1920s-30s-american-kodak-kodascopes-models-b-1930s-ee-projectors","title":"1920s Kodak Kodascope Model B \u0026 1930s Model EE 16mm Film Projectors - Americana","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBefore Netflix. Before television. There was Kodascope.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 🎞️ 🇺🇸\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLights, camera, 1928…\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e When Eastman Kodak brought the magic of the movies into the American home, home cinema entered a new era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis evocative pair of vintage American film projectors captures the golden age of home entertainment. Made by Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York, these beautifully engineered machines are as compelling today as decorative objects as they are important pieces of photographic and cinematic history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Model B\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIntroduced in the late 1920s and marketed as the “Library Projector”, Kodak’s Model B was designed to bring 16mm film projection into the home. Its distinctive, substantial form reflects an era when technology was built to be both functional and enduring.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Model EE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe later Model EE represents the next chapter in Kodak’s development of compact 16mm home cinema equipment during the 1930s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth projectors retain their original cases and are accompanied by a wonderfully evocative collection of reels and accessories. Together, they make an impressive display for collectors of Americana, vintage technology, photography and the history of cinema.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition \u0026amp; operation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe projectors are offered as historic and decorative objects. Their electrical and projection operation has not been tested, and functionality is therefore not guaranteed. Please study the photographs and accompanying video carefully.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"MailOutline\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker: Eastman Kodak Company\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin: Rochester, New York, USA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModels: Kodascope B and Kodascope EE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEra: 1920s–1930s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat: 16mm film projection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncludes: Two projectors, cases, reels and assorted accessories\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn extraordinary pair of survivors from the early days of American home cinema.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCobham Antiques\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExtraordinary Things. Quality Antiques, Vintage \u0026amp; Americana for the Considered Home.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorldwide tracked shipping available.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cobham Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67383902011641,"sku":null,"price":195.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"vintage-androck-american-metal-nutcrackers-pair-with-vinyl-pouch","title":"Vintage Androck Metal Nutcrackers, Pair with vinyl pouch","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA characterful pair of vintage American metal nutcrackers, one stamped ANDROCK and the other marked MADE IN U.S.A.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith their textured metal handles and robust hinged construction, these practical kitchen tools have a distinctive industrial aesthetic and an appealing utilitarian charm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAndrock was an American kitchenware brand associated with the Washburn Company. These nutcrackers offer an interesting connection to 20th-century American kitchenalia and the design of everyday domestic objects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe pair comes with a burgundy-coloured vinyl pouch, adding to their character and display appeal. An attractive addition to a collection of vintage Americana, kitchenalia or industrial curiosities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cobham Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67389188636921,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/7671\/5513\/files\/IMG_1969.jpg?v=1792189674"},{"product_id":"substantial-antique-american-bronze-fire-hose-nozzle","title":"Substantial Antique American Bronze Fire Hose Nozzle","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeavy metal ! 🇺🇸 🔥\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBefore lightweight alloys, plastics and modern firefighting equipment, there was this.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wonderfully substantial antique American bronze fire hose nozzle, standing just over two feet high and bearing all the scars of a working life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is an extraordinarily simple object. A long tapering bronze body, heavy threaded coupling at one end and narrow outlet at the other. No decoration. No attempt to make it beautiful. It was made for one purpose: attach it to a fire hose, point it towards the flames and hang on.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd yet, more than a century later, it has become a rather fabulous piece of American industrial history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surface is particularly good. Years of hard use have left the bronze with a deep brown patina, rubbed and marked throughout, with traces of verdigris and wear around the fittings. Look closely and the body is covered in hundreds of small knocks, scratches and indentations, many of which have themselves long since patinated - the accumulated evidence of a substantial working life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt 61cm high and pleasantly heavy, it has enormous decorative presence, propped beside a fireplace, standing amongst books, or simply displayed as the sculptural industrial object it has inadvertently become.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd should you happen to need the world’s most over-engineered doorstop, we suspect it would perform admirably.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe know not which American fire company once used it, or exactly which fires it attended. That’s the bit of its history that has disappeared. But somebody once stood behind this and fought fire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo maker’s mark is visible, so its exact origin and date remain unknown, but the form is consistent with late 19th to early 20th century antique fire service equipment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmerican | Antique bronze fire hose nozzle | 61cm high | Late 19th - early 20th century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorldwide tracked shipping available.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExtraordinary Things, Americana.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cobham Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67451568587001,"sku":null,"price":145.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/7671\/5513\/files\/DSC_0294.jpg?v=1792620763"}],"url":"https:\/\/cobhamantiques.com\/collections\/curios.oembed","provider":"Cobham Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}