I get a little thrill everytime I look at it!
I've been looking for one of these for awhile now. No luck at garage sales and eBay prices were a bit too much -- especially after you calculate shipping . So this weekend when we made a trek out to Sandwich, IL for the Sandwich Antiques Market, I had it in the back of my mind to keep a sharp lookout. Lo and behold near the end of the day I found one (maybe Pete spotted it first -- although he didn't quite know what it was before this, so I'm not sure.) The price was *so* right -- and Pete didn't mind hauling it all the way back to the car -- so now it's mine!! I *love* it!
Here's what I know about it -- it is a Stommen Bruk Hamar sewing cabinet made in Norway. Here's the sticker inside the lid:
And here's what it looks like opened:
I don't know that much about these sewing cabinets, but the seller thought it was probably from the 50's. She got it at an estate sale. The web is surprisingly devoid of information about these cabinets. If anyone knows anything about them or the company that made them, I'd love to know more!
Wow, it's beautiful Julie! Good find.
Posted by: Tracey | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 01:19 PM
I have one of those cabinets from my mom and the one that you got is in very good condition. Congrats in the purchase!
Posted by: marti | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 02:24 PM
crap! it's amazing! I gasped when I saw the photo.
Posted by: amy k. | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 03:06 PM
Congrats on the find. I miss the Sandwich Antiques Market *so* much. There is nothing even vaguely like it near Seattle.
Posted by: Jessica | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 03:24 PM
That is so awesome! It reminds me of a big basket, except it's on legs.
Posted by: Karen | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Oh, my gosh! I have something like that I inherited from my Grandmother. She always used it to store her knitting needles and now I do, too - here it is: http://www.knittinhoney.blog-city.com/my_grandmothers_knitting_stand.htm
I'll have to look to see if it's the same brand - it doesn't appear like it, to me - but yours is only the second one of like construction I've ever seen!
Posted by: Colleen | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 04:12 PM
I couldn't tell you a blessed thing about the style, but I was given one of these by my Mom (and think it may still be in her storage somewhere...)
Posted by: Jo | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 04:17 PM
It's beautiful!!
Posted by: --Deb | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 05:12 PM
Love it! I finally got my mom to give me hers like this - it's too big for her anymore, and I love it. Mine doesn't have a sticker or anything on it, but I know it was my grandmother's before it was my moms, so that puts it around the 1940s/1950s. Enjoy yours!
Posted by: Jenn | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Gorgeous. I can so see that in your house!
Posted by: Theresa | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 07:04 PM
Hi!
Strømmen is a place in Norway - close to the town Hamar. "Bruk" can be translated into "mill". The only useful information I can find on this business (except some information about design awards they got in the 70's) is a link to this guy
http://www.arkivbord.com/erfaring.htm
He has Strømmen Bruk on his resume, so maybe you can get in contact with him to get some more information on your sewing cabinet?
Posted by: Ridiculina | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 08:18 PM
Wow what a treasure!!! it's really pretty. Glad you got a good deal and it was something you really wanted. I love 'finds' like that!
Posted by: Diana | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 09:19 PM
I know I have a green one with no legs thats is very rickety and I love it too !!!
Posted by: Jodie | Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 03:03 AM
Wow, that's really cool! My mom has something similar, though with short legs and a different handle. I loved looking through it as a kid.
I hope you get lots of enjoyment out of your new sewing cabinet!
Posted by: Jess | Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 08:59 AM