Hey friends, I’m excited to be chatting about collecting again, and this week we are going to be covering one of my faves. So let’s talk about collecting antique and vintage breadboards.
Simply said, I love the rustic charm of old breadboards. It’s the old wood patina for me, but some of the best breadboards have unique character, which always gets me.
This could be the shape, or some metal detail, and even added feet that give it a lift. There are many out there, so let’s explore a few reasons why this is a great collection to have!
Why are vintage breadboards becoming such a popular collectible?
I will admit, vintage bread boards are having their moment, but that certainly isn’t the reason I like them. Many people love how useful they are, and they match many styles.
Whether you decorate with a English or French country look, modern to American farmhouse, and anything in between, these beautiful boards can add a layer of warmth to any space.
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A brief history of the breadboard
In the history of the world, people eating bread goes way back. So it stands to reason that early breadboards were in the center of the kitchen. Many times, they were considered works of art and had intricate carvings that sometimes boasted a family crest, a motto (like “daily bread”), or sheaves of wheat.
Of course, with something used so often, the type of wood used for these carved breadboards was important. Can you imagine, having a tree fall down on your family estate, then a woodworker comes along and carves up charming breadboards used in the kitchen? Ahhhh, that sounds too fabulous, but definitely from a bygone era.
Now, most of us aren’t collecting to look like some antique breadboard museum. The truth is, they are useful and we just like them. After reading this, we’ll see if you do too!
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How can I tell if a breadboard is vintage or antique?
First off, the difference between vintage and an antique is decades. Vintage means something is older than 40-50 years but younger than an antique. Antiques are generally over 100 years old.
The biggest tell of antique bread boards are the signs of years of use, generally in the existence of knife marks and uneven wear. These wooden breadboards get a certain patina to the wood as well.
A vintage breadboard may just look like an old cutting board, where an antique one would definitely have some hallmark of time such as carvings and other special details that were commonly made over 100 years ago.
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What types of breadboards will I find out there?
If you are looking for older bread boards, mainly you’ll be able to find ones that have that vintage style that everyone loves. Meaning, it’s all about the patina of the wood.
As far as shapes and sizes, there are many you will see. Search for round boards, large round bread boards, some with handles, and don’t forget about small breadboards. They come square, rectangle, and even shapes like a bread loaf, or a farm animal.
There might be some that have domes, having been used as a cheese board. I love ones that have handles and can be hung on the wall for display. Footed breadboards make great display areas.
Where are the best places to find vintage breadboards?
I look at all my favorite places when I’m out thrifting. They definitely are getting harder to find, but you can search flea markets, thrift stores, estate sales, and your favorite antiques shop. Also try Etsy, as there is always vintage sellers there.
I often find large bread boards tucked behind something, sitting on the floor. That’s where I found the one with the strip of blue and white paint at the end, in an antique shop. So keep your eyes peeled and look up, down, and all around!
What should I look for when buying a vintage breadboard?
As a collector of vintage cutting boards, look for the details that you want to acquire. Whether it be about the size, shape, or decorative elements, stick with the theme of what you like. I always collect for what speaks to me.
I have been on the search for smaller boards, as my stash of large ones is getting a bit unhinged. But I certainly wouldn’t pass up a fabulous and unique one if I saw it!
How do I clean and care for antique breadboards?
If you use your boards on a regular basis (as you should), you will need to take a bit of care to maintain them. Here’s a few things to know:
- When cleaning, use a gentle soap and water to clean off food remnants.
- Avoid any harsh chemicals or cleaners, especially if you use for food.
- Oil and condition your boards with a food safe conditioner.
- Never leave your board soaking in a sink of water, as it can easily warp, especially if it is older.
- When using with food, many times I will protect my board by using a natural parchment paper under food, or the small deli sheets of wax paper.
- For a decorative option to protect your board, use paper doilies or patterned wax paper.
- If after much use, you don’t like seeing too many knife marks, you can lightly sand these smooth, then finish up with a good cleaning.
- If you don’t have wood conditioner you can use a mineral oil, or even olive oil as a substitute. I first apply it to a paper towel and then lightly rub into the wood. Heavy oil application will discolor your board.
Can I use antique breadboards for food preparation?
If you have been lucky enough to find an antique board, I would say, definitely do not use it for food prep! Save your food usage for your vintage boards. Frankly, I use mine more for display and not actual food prep.
For food prep, I prefer using the plastic ones that can be disinfected well in the dishwasher. Save your thrifted finds for display.
Building a collection of breadboards
Building a collection of breadboards is fun if you love the patina of wood and like to use them. My own story of how I became obsessed isn’t too different from most.
Back in 2002, while living in California, my BFF and I headed to the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena. At this time, I owned a few small breadboards, but nothing too exciting. But while shopping, we stumbled upon an antiques dealer that had the most beautiful patina boards from Europe.
That day, I bought my first one that was huge and had great style. I paid $45 for it (which seemed like a huge amount at the time). Then, I became obsessed. This board currently sits on our coffee table in the living room with some favorite demijohn bottles and other mini collections. If I bought it today, the price would be over $250.
Over the years, if I’m truth telling, I have bought a lot of bread boards. I bought a few new round breadboards, that had great decor appeal, but mostly I stick with the vintage ones.
Most of my thrifted bread boards are used for displaying food or home decor. I use them a lot when I am taking pictures for the blog too. But if you love breadboards, and have the space, there are lots of ways to use and display them.
Creative ways to use and display breadboards
There are many ways to display breadboards. Of course, this all depends upon your space, or lack of it. Here are a few things to try:
- Hanging on a wall or the end of an island
- Displayed and used on the kitchen countertop*
- Stacked on the floor
- In a stack on a table
- As a backdrop on shelves
- As the base for any decor stack that you may want to be seen as one grouping
*In our lake cottage, I have butcher block countertops that I don’t want to cut directly on. I leave a large vintage breadboard, which is purely a workhorse in that kitchen, on the counter and all food is chopped directly on the board.
Do not ever cut raw chicken on a wood breadboard. Bacteria can get caught in the porous grooves and that is never good for anyone!
To actually use your breadboards, try this:
- They make great charcuterie boards (keep in mind the parchment trick from above)
- Under a centerpiece on a table
- Use as a tray for small bowls and food items when serving
- At the beginning of a buffet, that can corral all the plates, napkins, and silverware
- To protect another surface from constant use (wood always looks better with more patina)
How to start a collection
Easily enough, you can just start looking! But you may want to decide on which shape. Will you want to only purchase an animal shape, like pigs? My son has pigs and I am always tempted to buy pig ones when I see them. I’m slowly losing willpower, so that might be next.
If you don’t have much space, but love the idea of a collection, choose to find rounds, or small oblong ones that can be easily stacked within other decor.
Whatever you decide, just get out and have fun looking! If you are looking for more inspiration about decor and collecting, follow me on these platforms.
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It’s one of the best kind of problems to have!
Great post! I seem to have a problem collecting them too! 😂