Antique Store Display Stand - Rare - Made by Oscar Onken Shop of the Crafters

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This antique wooden display stand which I have labeled as "E" in the pictures, was made by the Oscar Onken Co. of Cincinnati Ohio. This is a very rare item, as most of these things went to a landfill when businesses closed down, or opted for more modern displays.This Stand measures 16 & 3/4" tall. The base is 5" in diameter, and the oval-shaped display platforms are 8" in length and have a spike on them to keep things from slipping off. The displays turn 180 degrees and the "platform" that a shoe or other item would be displayed upon has brass "screw type" turns. These would allow you to adjust the displayed object in a multitude of directions to accommodate your store front window layout.The base appears to be dark stained cherry wood, and from age there's a bit of a light green patina in the crevices of the turned spindle of the stand, making it very striking looking. The underside of the base is weighted with an iron ring in order to keep heavier displayed items from toppling over. The condition of the stand is good, with some nicks and scratches for it's age, which I would say is 100+ years! Take a look at the detailed pictures!Check out my other listings (if they haven't sold already) as I have several store displays for sale that match this one but in different heights.NOTE: In the pictures of this stand there is a picture of a button that identifies the maker of this stand. This Stand I'm selling does not have that button on the backside. I included that picture from another one of my listings so you as the buyer, can see where the stand came from. Only one of my other listings labeled as stand "A," still has a small Button on the back side of the stand that is printed: "The Oscar Onken Co., Wood Window Display Fixtures, Cincinnati O." Again, the company didn't label every stand with one of these buttons, as they were probably a full set they and they only labeled one of them. You're bidding on one without the button. However, I just wanted you to see it to know the history of the stand!If you're interested in getting a "matching set" now's the time, as all the stands I have in my other listings from the Oscar Onken Co. are being sold now.I remember exactly where these came from believe it or not! My father acquired these around 1979. Dad used to be a "clean out man" for stores/businesses/houses. I was just a kid when I went with him to help with the store clean out, and remember the very old lady shop keeper. It was a clothing store in Cleveland OH located in the city that sold shoes and other clothing goods. These stands must have been in her storage from the turn of the century!History on Oscar Onken and his Shop:Oscar Onken was a well-known maker of fine cabinets and other furniture in Cincinnati during the time of the Arts And Crafts movement of design in America. Much of the inventory of the company was comprised of display pieces for retail stores. Onken contributed to a more modernistic style of furniture and his shop was known as "Oscar Onken's Shop of the Crafters." It was open from 1904-1920.Similar to shops such as Rookwood Pottery, The Shop of the Crafters blended hand and machine work. It produced German and Austrian influenced furniture, but there is little evidence to suggest that Cincinnati's early carvers had any interest in this style or that Onken was influenced by them. However, his work was important to the Arts and crafts movement.If you're interested in learning more on his shop/history, try a Google Search on his name and much more will come up!I'm always happy to answer questions if you have them! Good luck bidding and thanks for looking! read more

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