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Antique Dairy Slabs ~ Goodbye Cheese, Bonjour Fromages

Several weeks ago I got an email from a woman in England who specializes in antique kitchenalia.  She had asked me about the cheese slab she'd seen in a post I did a few years ago (HERE) and asked if I'd be willing to sell it. 
As I was reading her message I was thinking to myself that there was no way I was going to sell my cheese slab.  


But then, as I continued to read her email, she made me an offer right then and there for my cheese slab which had me looking like this:


As you may surmise, it was an offer I could not refuse.


Mikki
 said she'd been looking for a cheese slab for her own home because her kitchen was being featured in a national magazine (in the UK) and she'd hoped to have it in time for the photo shoot. Within 24 hours I'd received her offer, accepted it, sent her an invoice, she paid for it and off to Norfolk my (her) cheese slab traveled.

Goodbye Cheese

 The space where I'd kept the slab next to the stove just didn't look the same. Even though I was thrilled with such a profitable sale, knowing it went to someone who'd been looking for it and that I'd get to see it in the magazine when it would be published,  I was kinda missing it.  Even a couple of the kids commented that they  missed seeing it there. 

I know that there are a lot of you out there who love these pieces as much as I do, and lots of you have been looking for an antique dairy slab.  These English dairy slabs, or counter shop displays were mostly used during the Edwardian period, in the late 1800's to early 1900's, in grocery stores and markets for margarine, butter, lard, meats and cheeses.  The butcher or clerk would measure off the amount desired by the customer, just as they do at delis today.   They are made of ironstone and most often found with black transfer printed labels.



They make beautiful serving 
or display pieces, adding whimsical charm to your kitchen or home.



Wouldn't you love to have a pantry / dish room organized and filled with beautiful pieces like this?

Yeah, I was missing that cheese slab…

  …when what would happen several days later?   I encountered  an almost identical, antique dairy slab!  It was even made by the very same manufacturer as the cheese slab. 

Bonjour Fromages! 


That's what happened!







Comments

  1. Such a blessing for you! :) And a sweet arrangement of red transferware on your antique fromages slab!

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  2. That was wonderful! Is that your kitchen, it's beautiful!

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  3. I'd rather have fromages than plain old cheese any day! Serendipity!

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  4. It pays to have a generous heart, Nancy. I'm thrilled that the fromages piece came your way. It's French, so in mind even more special. ;-)
    Love seeing it with the charming red pieces. I'm smiling because I recently found the little butter tub in my favorite brown to go with the rooster pitcher, the box, and other special brown pieces from you. '-)

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  5. How great that you could help her out and that you were able to find another. I'll be on the hunt for them now too...you've got me hooked!
    Miss Bloomers

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  6. Wow! I love it! Congrats on the new find!

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  7. So glad you were able to replace your cheese slab. I have done that before, get rid of something and then regret it because I love it so much.

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  8. Well, that was clearly meant to be! Like your kids, I would have missed that beauty too.
    Brenda

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  9. OMGOSH I was just looking on line yesterday afternoon for one for me !!!! really and found a repo for $170
    and I am really trying to pay off a huge shopping trip from last summer LOL so resisted however I may have to go back today and get it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OMG
    Nancy you have the most beautiful things and I know you are probably use to the beauty being all over your house but I love seeing all your pictures

    Janice

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  10. LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I want every one of those pieces with Cheese, Butter, Pure Lard etc on them LOL

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  11. Good for you. I have always wanted one....but out of my budget....but I enjoy seeing them in blogland!

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  12. I too love the slabs! Joann Hudson provides us with some new vintage options!

    - Alma, The Tablescaper

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  13. Dear Nancy,
    What a great and happy story!!! Loved reading it and seeing the pictures, as always. I would love to live in your world. I have a good amount of transferware in my life but how I drool over all of your wonderful pieces.
    Smiling here, Ruthie

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  14. Nancy,
    That is so cool!! So nice to find another one....I guess it was meant for you to own a dairy slab.
    Warm Regards,
    Diane@babiesbridesandlavender

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  15. i love stories that are full circle! i'm so happy for you 'cuz i would have missed it too. i would love one myself someday & appreciate all the history you provided. best- MJ

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  16. I couldn't have done it! I've wanted one of those forever. I'm glad you found a replacement though :)

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  17. How awesome for you Nancy! Sounds like it turned out to be a win win deal for you!! Love the replacement too. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  18. I love it Nancy...love the pieces you have on it too!! Beautiful display!

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  19. Oh how funny! That pantry is the pantry of dreams eh?! Thanks for joining HSH!

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  20. Wow, that is amazing! How lucky to find the similar dairy slab. Your dish pantry is wonderful. Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We'd love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN. http://lifewithlorelai.com/2015/02/12/home-matters-linky-party-24/ :)

    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai

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  21. Beautiful display Nancy, I'd love to have a collection like yours!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  22. nancy, i love your china and your kitchen!!!!!!!!! hugs, angie from germany

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