1970's Retro Kitsch - I'm in LOVE!
When I was young my mom used to disparagingly label some ornaments as "kitsch". "Made in Hong Kong" was a most undesirable label. Now 30 or so years later, Retro Kitsch has become a popular design style. It is colourful, quirky and tongue-in-cheek. There are also no shortage of fantastic items to add to your collection. I have been selling collectibles online for over 5 years, and Retro Kitsch items are steadily gaining value and desirability.
Vladimir Tretchikoff , a Russian born artist who spent much of his life in South Africa has been called the "king of kitsch". Over the years I've sold a number of his prints, and occasionally a signed print. Original Tretchikoff's are valuable, and I always hope to find one tucked away in a job lot of paintings.
Yesterday I listed these fantastic hard plastic peacocks and swans, Made in Hong Kong!
Ceramic wall plaques are very popular, as are the flying ducks that came in threes. 1970's electric clocks are fast sellers and very cool looking, the designs are limitless! Enamelware, though very collectible, doesn't usually fall into the kitsch category, but this patterned orange teapot is an exception.
The 1970's produced the most beautiful glass, carnival glass (top picture) is much sought after. This glass is characterised by it's pearlescent lustre. A good way to determine if a piece of glassware is truly vintage, is by checking the base. There should be significant signs of wear/scratching on the bottom. The tall glass bottles were used to store bubble bath, and come in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes.
The plastic toys above are typically 1970's. Now they are used to decorate, not to play with!
A retro radio for retro music! Disco anyone?
A typically South African kitsch picture. Many were manufactured with this foil backing and had a Voortrekker or Christian theme. This one translates to "The Lord is our light."
A Retro Kitsch kitchen wouldn't be complete without a pineapple jug, a rooster potholder and a pagoda condiment set.
The tyre ashtray! Smoking was in, Good Year tyres were in - combined, MAGIC! I have sold...many :)
A few more retro kitsch pictures for your enjoyment. The ring is cool!!! All the pictures in this article are items I have for sale, or (in most cases) have already sold. Thank you for taking the tour.
Retro vibes :)