I've Got Summink to Say

Tag: art

  • It Was a Crafty Business

    This delightful little dish is the subject of this morning’s potcast.

    Distinctly unremarkable you may think but this is actually an Arthur original. I made this in Miss Theodolou’s art class almost 40 years ago to the day and I still have it and use it to store coins and keys.

    It was made by layering tubes of clay one on top of another and then smoothing them into shape before glazing and firing.

    It even has a backstamp:

    3J means I was 13 years old at the time, in the 3rd year of secondary school.

    I also have one my older sister made at about the same age.

    After we mastered this technique we moved on to a foot operated wheel which was immense fun, flicking fingers of watery clay at fellow pupils.

    The problem was the wheel spun pots tended to collapse under their own weight or crack when fired in the kiln so I don’t have any I made.

  • 2 Teapots and 1 Small Vase

    The subject of today’s potcast is a few bits of crockery I picked up that are now adorning my windowsill.

    I apologise for the quality of the images, a cheap mobile phone is all I have; I’ve resolved to buy a digital camera when I have the money, for ebay if nothing else.

    Now a closer look at each of them:

    First up a British teapot which I think dates to around 1850 but can’t be sure as all it has is a pattern number on the base.

    It was heavily stained when I first bought it due to crazing to the glaze and years of use but soaking it in a bucket of water and dishwasher tablets has helped a lot.

    I think it is hand painted with raised reliefs to the body and appears to be influenced by Chinese design. I particularly like the pale blue colour.

    It cost me £2.50 at a car boot sale.

    Next up the small vase. I found this in a charity shop and paid £2. It looked good quality but what sold me on it was a 511 mark hand engraved near the base. A bit of research suggests this is German drip glaze pottery probably from some time in the 20th century and made by the highly regarded company Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur.

    Last up is my favourite, another British teapot and the only one I can date accurately to 1894 due to an Rd. date number on the base. I’ve no idea who manufactured it though. This one would be near enough perfect if not for a chip to the spout. I particularly love the the transfer printed chinoiserie pattern. The cost was £4 again at a boot sale.

    The fact is if I decided to sell them on I’d be lucky to find a buyer and lucky if I could get more than £10 for the lot.