Ernst Lichtblau Design

Stainless Steel Dipper Skimmer

This Stainless Steel Dipper Skimmer came from a secondhand store and is in good shape. It is nicely made and extra large, so I purchase it.

I never thought I would be blogging about it but, as it turns out, it is a special piece.

This dipper skimmer was part of a display at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, so want to learn more?

Ernst Lichtblau Design
Markings on Kitchen Skimmer Dipper

Stainless Steel Dipper Skimmer

This Stainless Steel Dipper Skimmer is made in Germany in the 1950’s by Joseph Franken company.

The utensil measures approximately 14.25 inches long and the round sieve part measures 4 3/4 inches in diameter. It has a hook on the end for hanging. This kitchen utensil is useful for a variety of kitchen chores.

The words, “Rostfrei” mean “Rust-Free” in German because it is stainless steel.

I thought I would use my new dipper skimmer to take pierogis or eggs out of boiling water.

This piece was part of a stainless steel set with a wall mounted stainless steel bar. The kitchen utensils would then be hung by the ends for convenient use.

Made by Joseph Franken
Skimmer Dipper Stainless Steel Utensil

Designer Ernst Lightblau, (1883 to 1963)

This piece was designed by Ernst Lightblau, a renowned architect and designer from Austria. At one point, he taught at the Rhode Island School of Design.

In the 1950’s, designer Lichtblau and manufacturer Joseph Franken had a set of their modern looking kitchen utensils on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York at the Industrial Exhibit.

Lightblau studied ancient residential architecture seeking ways create modern styles out of the old.

He also designed a building known as the “chocolate house” because of its façade design and brown use of majolica.

Majolica is earthenware coated with lead colored glazes.

Of course, Farmhouse Magic Blog found a photograph of the house and, indeed, it does look like it is made from chocolate.

Ending Thoughts on Stainless Steel Dipper Skimmer

I paid $2.50 for this secondhand piece but I see online are selling from $25 to $30.

Resource Sites: Wikipedia and WWW.worthpoint.com

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