Vintage Wondermold Abalone Shell Trivet Resin Hotplate Black Stand Retro USA 5.5
£25.00
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Vintage Wondermold Abalone Shell Trivet Resin Hotplate Black Stand Retro USA 5.5
£25.00
Item Overview
- Type: Vintage Lucite Resin Drink Trivet / Ocean Abalone Shell Hotplate Stands
- Designer: Wondermold Studio Craftsman
- Brand: Wondermold
- Manufacturer: Wondermold Industries, Inc.
- MPN: Does Not Apply
- Place of Origin: United States of America (USA)
- Style: Mid-Century Retro / Pacific Coast Folk Art / Tiki Kitsch Kitchenalia
- Colour: High-Gloss Midnight Black Matrix, Iridescent Turquoise, Fiery Pink, Pearlised Silver-White Shells, and Cream Underside Label
- Design Era: Mid-Century Modern Era (c. 1960s–1970s)
- Material: Heavy-Gauge Liquid Poly-Resin Compound and Authentic Marine Abalone Shell Matrix Pieces
- Set Includes: One (1) Single Round Integrated Three-Footed Table Protective Hotplate Stand
- Features: Hand-Set Organic Shell Mosaic, High-Gloss Mirror Edge Profiling, Three (3) Integrated Domed Stable Foot Mounts, and Fully Intact Wavy Factory Identification Label
- Condition: Excellent Vintage Condition with Pristine Label Preservation (The cast resin frame is entirely solid, uniform, and structurally flat; the upper gloss coat has been beautifully preserved with minimal surface handling wisps as itemised below)
- Size and Capacity: Measures a substantial 5.5 inches in total diameter (approx. 14.0 cm), standing approximately 0.5 inches in height to the tip of the base feet (approx. 1.3 cm).
Dating & Historical Context
- Dating: This expressive piece of domestic tabletop utility dates to the peak mid-century resin boom (c. 1960s–1970s). The specific industrial signatures—including the utilisation of deep black compression-molded polymers to suspend natural marine materials, the wavy-cut profile of the paper backing label, and the specific font tracking—are definitive diagnostics perfectly identifying Wondermold lines produced during this collectible era of American handcraft design.
- Historical Note: The post-war decades witnessed a massive design fascination with space-age synthetics, allowing homeware brands to trap organic elements permanently inside glass-smooth polymers. Based in the USA, Wondermold Industries became a premier name in this field by hiring professional divers to harvest authentic abalone shells directly from the ocean floor. Back at the workshop, artisans hand-selected individual mosaic fragments, nesting them inside molds before flooding the chamber with deep black and crystal-clear casting resins. These durable, heat-resistant hotplates became highly popular choices for casual entertaining, safely buffering hot coffee pots and ceramic serving dishes away from polished table surfaces while capturing the vibrant spirit of the 1960s Tiki and coastal decor trends.
Description
A beautifully iridescent and highly visual acquisition for collectors of mid-century lucite, ocean folk art, or retro kitchenalia stagers, this Wondermold trivet is full of coastal character. Formed in a solid round silhouette, the hotplate houses an exquisite mosaic array of natural abalone shell slices that flash with brilliant ripples of metallic green, purple, and mother-of-pearl silver against the solid black base. The edges are masterfully rounded and buffed to a liquid-like sheen, framing the organic pieces beautifully from any dining table angle.
Expert Identification & Craftsmanship Features:
- Iridescent Marine Mosaic: Every shell slice displays a unique grain direction and natural contour, ensuring the surface catches changing room lighting dynamically.
- Elevated Tri-Foot Base: The underside is molded with three thick, strategically positioned domed feet that provide absolute rock-steady balance on busy kitchen servers.
- Flawless Factory Labeling: The rear houses its authentic cream paper credential label, adding great historical charm and proving its true American studio origin.
- Heat-Resistant Over-Pour: The protective upper transparent layer remains wonderfully glassy, isolating the delicate shells fully from water or hot beverage bases.
Condition Report
This vintage Wondermold hotplate is in excellent condition, showcasing phenomenal structural preservation and displaying beautifully. The cast resin frame is perfectly flat, rigid, and complete, entirely free from perimeter edge bruises, deep impact chips, or internal cracks. The upper gloss surface maintains its brilliant mirror sheen, displaying only very light, microscopic hairline wisps and surface storage rubs commensurate with careful domestic handling over the decades. The original paper label on the base remains clean, completely un-torn, and firmly attached to the core backing. Please consult the macro photo gallery with the vintage wooden rule to confirm the physical scale.
Shipping & Logistics
- Domestic Shipping: FREE UK TRACKED DELIVERY.
- Packaging: This high-gloss item will be wrapped carefully in soft tissue sheets to prevent surface rubbing, insulated inside high-density bubble cushioning to protect the edges, and shipped securely inside a rigid outer box container to guarantee safe arrival.
- Dispatch: Order before 12.00pm and we ship same day.
Returns & Payment Policies
We want you to be delighted with your heritage find.
- Not as Described: In the unlikely event of an error in our listing, we will provide a full refund and cover the return postage costs.
- Change of Mind: We accept returns within 30 days; however, in these instances, the buyer is responsible for the return shipping costs.