Vintage Walrus‑Marked Ice Cream Parlor Set — Table, 2 Chairs & Stool View Watchlist >
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Lot # G694
System ID # 23555091
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Vintage Walrus‑Marked Ice Cream Parlor Set — Table, 2 Chairs & Stool, White & Aqua
Charming vintage ice cream parlor set, maker‑marked “WALRUS” on the chair stretchers. This hallmark references the legacy of the Walrus Manufacturing Company of Decatur, Illinois — a prominent early‑20th‑century producer of soda fountain fixtures, café furnishings, and decorative steelwork.
The set includes a round café table with a wood top capped in aqua laminate, two high‑back twisted‑steel chairs, and a matching small stool or plant stand. Finished in white enamel with pastel tops, it perfectly channels the nostalgic style of American soda fountains and garden cafés of the 1930s–1950s. Twisted steel legs, scrolled feet, and embossed cast‑metal stretchers speak to the quality craftsmanship typical of furniture from this tradition.
Perfect for a vintage‑inspired kitchen, breakfast nook, or garden patio — and a rare opportunity to own a branded piece tied to an iconic name in soda fountain history.
Condition:
Sturdy. Good vintage condition with age‑appropriate wear. Surface scratches, scuffing, light oxidation, and evidence of outdoor use are present but do not affect stability. Structurally sound with no loose joints. Please review photos for details.
Dimensions:
- Table: 30.5" H x 24.25" Dia
- Chairs (each): 35.75" H x 15" W x 15" D
- Stool/Plant Stand: 13.75" H x 12.25" W x 12.25" D
- Chair Seat Height: 17.75" H x 14.5" Dia
About Walrus Manufacturing Company
Founded in Decatur, Illinois in 1901, the Walrus Manufacturing Company quickly became a trusted name in American soda fountain culture. Known for its motto “Walrus Quality Unsurpassed”, the company crafted everything from gleaming Art Deco soda dispensers to sturdy café furnishings found in drugstores, ice cream parlors, and lunch counters across the country.
By the 1910s and 1920s, Walrus was a leading producer of steel‑framed tables, chairs, and display cases, prized for their durability and stylish scrollwork. Their furniture often accompanied the soda fountain installations they sold nationwide.
In 1927, Walrus sold its furniture division to focus on stainless steel casework for laboratories and hospitals — but its designs and branding lived on through successor firms and regional makers. This enduring style, with twisted steel legs, enamel finishes, and decorative cast elements, became synonymous with the golden age of soda fountains and the inviting charm of small‑town America.
Today, surviving Walrus‑marked pieces are rare reminders of a time when a trip to the corner soda fountain was a special event. They carry not only the craftsmanship of a bygone era but also a tangible connection to a uniquely American social tradition.