Tuesday, November 27, 2012

I went to an auction

Although I don't miss the work of the store, I do enjoy auctions. So I'm going to rent a cabinet in a group antiques store. There are four large shelves, perfect for pottery.



 At last night's auction I bought several lots of vases,mostly mid-century. I don't know much about the pottery of the era, but love the fun shapes and colors and look forward to learning more. (As always, you can click on the pictures to enlarge them.)

 The mustard pitcher is marked Pigeon Forge Pottery Tenn (Tennessee). The one with flowers appears much older than the rest. The orange one looks very 70's. But I'm not sure--I have a lot of research to do.


Some are from small studios, some are marked with recognizable names. Many are unmarked, and I imagine a lone potter shaping the vase, choosing the glaze, caught up in creation. Some are smooth, others are heavily textured.


 I love the spiky bumpy green--it looks very 50's-60's to me. Sort of space age Beatnik. The large purple one is from West Germany. The green vase behind the little striped one is hand signed (as opposed to a stamp) Palshis Denmark, along with something I can't interpret.



These black, sculptural pieces look wonderful together.I was surprised to see that the third one from the left is Bennington pottery, which I associate with blue spatterware in traditional shapes. The one with the leaf is from Arabia Pottery in Finland, made in 1967.



I also got this small Persian picture, which I may keep. The figures are incised on bone, which is mounted on paper with a hand drawn border.


The work is quite delicate. I especially love the trees and gazelles (I think that's what they are.)


I don't know anything about this type of work, how old it is or who might have made it. But I only paid $20 for it so I'm comfortable that I didn't make an auction fever mistake. I just hope that I didn't overdo it with the vases.

On another topic: If you, like me, love libraries, this will warm your heart (and is also poignant).

Jen





21 comments:

  1. what a collection! i love the mustard jug and the leaf vase.
    that persian work is rather lovely, bone on paper? how delightful.

    yay to the bus library.

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  2. Score! My two favorites are the mustard, and the black with the white leaf. Happy sales!

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  3. Wow, Jen, a really fun group of vases. I think the spiky green one is my favorite--it appeals to my sense of the weird.

    It's always a question with lightly damaged items whether to accept the worn look or to repair. With that exquisite miniature, I might decide to fill in the frame a little, just to that it doesn't distract too much.
    --Road to Parnassus

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  4. Your vases are lovely, and all the more so for the groupings you have arranged. They are like quirky families. In summer, perhaps you could assemble them all with one flower in each?

    Have you read 'The Uncommon Reader' by Alan Bennett (as we're speaking of libraries)?

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    1. I haven't read it. Thanks--I love book recommendations and will look for it.

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  5. I love mid-century pottery. mid-century anthing... lovely finds!

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  6. I want them all but might beg for a chance to buy the Arabia pottery vessel....

    Will you also be selling them in your Etsy shop?

    xo jane

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  7. You did great! These vases are HOT right now. Where's your shelf? Local or in the Catskills?
    Someday, Jen, I'll tag along for fun!

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    1. Yes, we must go to an auction together. This one was boring--I went for the vases and am glad I did. Only one other person was bidding on them. We'll go to a fun auction together.

      The cabinet is in Waltham--Downstairs at Felton (which is now upstairs). I'll take over the space in January.

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  8. Wow, that's quite a collection -- all different and interesting! Glad to hear you have found an easier outlet for your curatorial skills, enjoy and good luck!

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  9. I love the cow udder vase!

    Yes, where's this shop?

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    1. Cow udder! Oh that's a perfect description.

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  10. I love your choice and arrangement. The group of black ones are so abstract. It must be fun to find out some mark or signature on it.

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  11. Hello Jen

    Your collection is interesting and varied. I love the shape of the orange vase.

    To a great week

    Helenxx

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  12. Well, I just left a comment but somehow or other I got logged out. Go figure. Anyway, I was just saying how much I love ALL of the pots/vases and that buying pottery is my weakness or perhaps strength in thrift stores. The thing is every time I move I sell or give them all away. These are all just perfect.

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  13. A treasure trove of vases. Love Steve's description of the "cow udder", perfect. And that little painting is sooooo pretty. I can see you had loads of fun. Love the "library".

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  14. I like the tall incised brown vase best. Regarding the Persian art - I wonder if it's actually ivory and not bone, and the auction catalog couldn't say that it is. And, no, I can't tell the difference. Is it old?

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    1. There was no auction catalog. It does look to be old--I don't know how old though, maybe 75-100 years? I have to do some research. I know some of these were done on camel bone.

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  15. Hi Jen,

    What a lovely collection of vases you have! I hope they will sell well!

    Madelief x

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  16. Some of the vases would fit in my home... what I truly admire though is the Persian picture. It looks very pretty and I must say well done, that you bought it! Love it and you better keep it - I am sure there is somewhere a spot in your house to hang it up. If you get tired of it - call me... :o) Thanks for your comment - white, wood, silver, glass and some green is always a combination that works... Have a nice day! CHrista

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  17. The buying and selling bug is an addition isn't it? You have bought some super pieces here. The library story is truly heartwarming. M x

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