Ditch Basic Bar Accessories: The Valuable Antique We Want In Our Homes

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In this age of minimalism where the average home bar has been relegated to a small cart housing nothing more than a shaker and a few liqueur bottles, it's easy to forget how much value — both aesthetic and practical — the right bar accessory can provide. Take the humble ice bucket. Much more than a hotel luxury, an ice bucket eliminates constant trips to the freezer while adding a bit of personality to your mixology station. There are few better ways than thrifting when it comes to finding unique pieces that match your personal style, so if you've decided it's time to ditch basic bar accessories, skip the mass-produced plastic or metal ice buckets in favor of a piece of art: The Dansk teak ice bucket designed by Jens Quistgaard.

Dansk is a design company established in the mid 50's by an American businessman along with Quistgaard, a Danish designer. The company produced ice buckets in several styles, including a stout cylindrical one with a flat top that's extremely reminiscent of those used in high-end hotels. All of the ice buckets feature the same beautiful, smooth teak finish (often dubbed "Congo Wood" or "Congo Orange"), but the one we have our eyes on stands out due to its unusual shape. It's taller than the average ice bucket with a tapered base, and it features a built-in handle that makes the piece extra functional. Unlike most famous pieces of Dansk cookware that are made of ceramic or enamel, the ice buckets are made completely out of wood, with the exception of the plastic interior lining. This means that each one has a unique grain. This, along with the quality of their construction, makes these ice buckets extremely valuable. Its elegant Scandinavian design also makes it an excellent collector's item and could help you achieve a perfectly styled home bar. 

While the shorter Dansk ice buckets run for around $100, the taller, handled ones can cost over $700 on antique marketplaces like Etsy. Of course, if price isn't an issue, you should consider how much ice you need on hand. If the 15-inch tall handled bucket doesn't offer enough space, you can go with the 19-inch model for around $2000. Given their popularity and rarity, it's not very likely that you'll encounter a Dansk piece on your average thrifting run. But if you find an antique that you suspect might be genuine, check the bottom for a stamp from the manufacturer. These buckets were made in the 1960s, so the maker's mark will likely be faded, but try to find the phrase "Dansk Designs Denmark." Finding this is a good sign to go ahead and buy, since you wouldn't want such a priceless item to go unsold at the thrift store.

If you're lucky enough to score your very own Dansk ice bucket, you could probably sell it for a cozy profit, or keep it as a conversation piece and handy addition to your home bar. Quistgaard created these ice buckets with durability in mind, so don't mistake their age for fragility. Any surface grime the bucket has accrued over the years can be easily cleaned with soap and water, and you can restore the wood's luster with a bit of mineral oil. Afterward you'll be able to use the ice bucket as intended; or, if you don't plan on doing much bartending, you can use the bucket to store any number of items to keep your counters stylish and clear. The versatility of such vintage finds is why so many treasured antique items are dominating thrifting trends.