Is This Really A Ceramic Lunchbox?

Mark Thorson said:

See it here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/_W0QQitemZ150160034451

Is it really a lunch box? It has two compartments,
which could be for two components of a meal.
Why else would you have two compartments?

It looks something like a dabba, but in ceramic
rather than metal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dabbawala#Low-tech_and_lean

Except the dabba appears to have three compartments,
and to be much bigger. And more rugged.

The description says that it's enamel. It's just painted white.
Susan B.

Mark Thorson said...

Quoted message said:

See it here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/_W0QQitemZ150160034451

Is it really a lunch box? It has two compartments,
which could be for two components of a meal.
Why else would you have two compartments?

It looks something like a dabba, but in ceramic
rather than metal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dabbawala#Low-tech_and_lean

Except the dabba appears to have three compartments,
and to be much bigger. And more rugged.

Mark,

I haven't a clue but I'd like to know how you dig up these nutty
contraptions!

Andy

Andy said:

I haven't a clue but I'd like to know how you dig up these
nutty contraptions!

I search the food collectibles categories on eBay.
I collect unusual stuff, but mostly antique cast
iron. One of the prizes of my collection is an
early "Juicerette", made by Bridgeport Casting
before they either changed their name or were
acquired by Rival Manufacturing. All later
Juicerettes are marked Rival. It's a work of
art, in the fluid, organic Art Nouveau style
popular immediately before the austere simplicity
of the Art Deco period. And it's in perfect
condition, like it was never used.

I'll have to post some more pictures to
alt.binaries.food. I've acquired a mid-19th
century cast iron nutcracker, the Juicerette,
another bone holder, an ebony-handled silver
fork to match my ebony-handled silver serving
spoon, and a bunch of radioactive salt and
pepper shakers since my last postings there.

"Mark Thorson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

See it here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/_W0QQitemZ150160034451

Is it really a lunch box? It has two compartments,
which could be for two components of a meal.
Why else would you have two compartments?

It looks something like a dabba, but in ceramic
rather than metal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dabbawala#Low-tech_and_lean

Except the dabba appears to have three compartments,
and to be much bigger. And more rugged.

Looks like an old "coal miner's" lunch box; or an amish one, maybe.
Tonia

Tonia Fischer said:

"Mark Thorson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

See it here:

Quoted message said:

http://cgi.ebay.com/_W0QQitemZ150160034451

Quoted message said:

Is it really a lunch box? It has two compartments,
which could be for two components of a meal.
Why else would you have two compartments?

Quoted message said:

It looks something like a dabba, but in ceramic
rather than metal.

Quoted message said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dabbawala#Low-tech_and_lean

Quoted message said:

Except the dabba appears to have three compartments,
and to be much bigger. And more rugged.

Looks like an old "coal miner's" lunch box; or an amish one, maybe.
Tonia

Yes. Miner's lunch box, and a rather elegant example, looks European,
possibly Belgian... actually miners called them dinner pails.

http://americanhistory.si.edu/lunchboxes/section1.htm

http://www.msha.gov/TRAINING/MUSEUM/OK/Mcalester.htm

Sheldon

Sheldon said:

Yes. Miner's lunch box, and a rather elegant example, looks European,
possibly Belgian... actually miners called them dinner pails.

http://americanhistory.si.edu/lunchboxes/section1.htm

http://www.msha.gov/TRAINING/MUSEUM/OK/Mcalester.htm

I'm still not quite convinced. None of the examples
you linked to are enamelled. I think an enamelled
lunchbox would be very likely to chip.

Still, it's the best theory so far. Some of those
examples do have similar form.

I note that the example on eBay still has
a paper label on it. It's like it was never used.

I better not buy it. I already collect enough
junk without venturing into a new field.

Mark Thorson said:

Sheldon said:

Yes. Miner's lunch box, and a rather elegant example, looks European,
possibly Belgian... actually miners called them dinner pails.

http://americanhistory.si.edu/lunchboxes/section1.htm

http://www.msha.gov/TRAINING/MUSEUM/OK/Mcalester.htm

I'm still not quite convinced. None of the examples
you linked to are enamelled. I think an enamelled
lunchbox would be very likely to chip.

Still, it's the best theory so far. Some of those
examples do have similar form.

I note that the example on eBay still has
a paper label on it. It's like it was never used.

I better not buy it. I already collect enough
junk without venturing into a new field.

Google "bento box" for a japanese version.

Faberge the Imperial Russian Court Jeweller made several such things so
aristocratic people could eat a cold lunch with at least "some style"
while they were out hunting.

Queen Victoria had one fabricated in silver for Prince Albert to take
out "stalking" with him.

The Faberge versions are these day worth a very large sum of money, very
pretty in enamel and seem precious stones.

The proletarian, utilitarian ones are not uncommon, though i have never
seen a white one before.

My Grandfather, when he worked on a train had a black one.
--
JL

Mark Thorson said:

See it here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/_W0QQitemZ150160034451

Is it really a lunch box? It has two compartments,
which could be for two components of a meal.
Why else would you have two compartments?

It looks something like a dabba, but in ceramic
rather than metal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dabbawala#Low-tech_and_lean

Except the dabba appears to have three compartments,
and to be much bigger. And more rugged.

It looks like a lunch container from the early part of last century,
that laborers carried every day to the job.

N.