Monthly Archives: March 2011

Roseville Pottery in the 1930’s: An Important and Transitional Decade

Roseville Pottery c. 1933 "Baneda" 8.25" Double Handled Vase in Green/Blue, mold # 593-8, $925.00 SOLD

For those of you that are regular readers of this blog, my love for Roseville pottery is well-known. In fact I even admitted in a July 11, 2010 post that I was a Rookwood and Roseville snob. Roseville was my first pottery purchase and to this day, I am still amazed at the incredible artistic range produced by the company in its sixty-four year history. (1890-1954) Even now as a dealer I am frequently tempted to add a piece of Roseville to our personal collection.

Roseville Pottery c. 1930 "Sunflower" 7.5" x 4.25" Jardiniere, mold # 208-5, $850.00 SOLD

When I look at the creative arc in Roseville’s history from the classic styling of patterns such as Donatello, Volpato and Carnelian in the teens all the way to the  modernistic Mid-Century designs found in Capri, Mayfair and Artwood, I see a distinct progression that mirrored the cultural and design scene in 20th Century America. In my overview of the work, like many collectors,  I am drawn to many of the patterns issued during the 1930’s.

Roseville Pottery c. 1933 "Falline" 6.25" Double Handled Vase, mold # 642-6, $825.00 SOLD

In the span of ten years Roseville issued ceramic items from such treasured lines as Blackberry, Baneda,  Cosmos, Falline, Ferella, Fuchsia, Jonquil, Laurel, Morning Glory, Moss, Poppy, Primrose and all-time most popular line, Pinecone.  When one examines the progression of the product design we see in 1930 in Earlam, a stripped down utilitarian series of vases, pots and candle holders. In 1931-32 we find a blending of the classic pottery forms and decorations with the floral depictions Roseville become synonymous with in Jonquil and Cherry Blossom. This period is important as I feel it became  a reference point for the later floral patterns issued during the World War II era and beyond.

Roseville Pottery c. January, 1934 "Laurel" 8.25" Double Handled Vase, mold # 673-8, $425.00 SOLD

During this decade America was in the throes of the Great Depression. Life in America carried an uncertainty and it sparked a diversity in creativity which was echoed in many aspects of life including production of pottery at Roseville. In 1934-36 we saw the release of Art Deco inspired patterns such as Moderne and Laurel intersected by the realistic design of Pinecone in 1935 with handles in the form of branches joined to a pinecone with green pine needles. A simplistic design that through its popularity wound up saving Roseville from bankruptcy.

Roseville Pottery c. 1933 "Baneda" 8" x 3" Console in Pink/Rose, mold # 232-6, $450.00 SOLD

Roseville Pottery c. 1933 "Baneda" 4.5" Bud Vase in Green/Blue, mold # 603-4, $450.00 SOLD

The later part of the decade saw a mixture of emotion displayed in the stark variance of say the romanticism in Moss to the playful and joyous Primrose that to this day makes me think of a smiley face. In 1938 with Poppy we saw the flower become the focus of the vessel with its stems and leaves fading into the background. All of these touches to the human heart endeared Roseville to the masses and in my opinion cemented its importance in 20th century America pottery. This ability to change and expand its artistic statement along with the times gave it a universal appeal that invites collectors of all ages and demographics. This is not to say that the patterns issued during the 1930’s are superior to those of early or later years but rather it was the progression of adjusting its image in a very turbulent decade that sparks a lasting interest and demand.

Roseville Pottery c. 1933 "Baneda" 8.5" Double Handled Vase in Blue/Green, mold # 595-8, $1195.00 SOLD

Billy Blue Eye is pleased to offer a recently acquired collection of vases from the 1930’s including examples from Baneda, Sunflower, Laurel and Falline. All eight of these vases are in excellent condition with no or minimal crazing and no previous repairs or production imperfections.

Roseville Pottery c. 1930 "Sunflower" 8.25" Vase, mold # 491-8, $1395.00 SOLD

Due to the limited availability of these treasures we invite interested collectors to contact us  directly at billyblueeye@cox.net or at 949-496-1889 (Pacific Time Zone, 9AM to 8PM please) and if still available, may be viewed on Sunday, April 17th at the Long Beach Antique & Collectible Market. We accept Visa, Master Card, and Pay Pal and all orders over $200.00 are shipped free. Private viewings can be arranged for local collectors.

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Filed under Collectibles, Roseville Pottery

Join Us Sunday, March 27th at the Jamestown Vintage Flea Market in Tustin, CA.

c.1937-42 Catalina Pottery by Gladding McBean 6" Double Handled Yellow High Gloss Vase, $75.00 SOLD

We will be pitching our green and white tent tomorrow, March 27th at the Jamestown Village parking area in Old Towne Tustin. It is located at 474 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA, 92780 and the Antique & Collectible Flea Market is open from 8AM until 3PM. Billy Blue Eye will be located in space #46.

c.1937-43 Catalina Pottery by Gladding McBean 9.75" Ribbed Column Vase in White, $110.00 SOLD

As always we will be featuring works by many of your favorite pottery companies including these two terrific vases from Catalina by Gladding McBean. Many newly acquired items from Roseville, Weller, Haeger Pottery, McCoy, Sascha Brastoff and Marc Bellaire will be making their debut. We hope to see you there!

Be sure to check this website on Monday for an announcement regarding newly received  Roseville vases from the 1930’s. Take a look at the exquisite vase below, one of the eight that will be available next week.

Roseville Pottery c.1933 "Baneda" 8.25" Double Handled Vase, mold #595-8, $1195.00 SOLD

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Filed under Antique Market, Antique Shows, Catalina Pottery, Haeger Pottery, Marc Bellaire, McCoy, Roseville Pottery, Sascha Brastoff, Weller Pottery

Long Beach Antique & Collectible Market Today: Name the Designer

Royal Haeger Pottery c.1940’s 11″ Turquoise Double Leaf Vase w/ Original Label designed by Royal Hickman, $70.00 SOLD

We have all experienced it in one way or another. That “ah-ha” moment when we see something say a painting and we realize (or is it recognize?) that we are not only looking at a beautiful painting of Irises; but that we are looking at the painting of Irises by Van Gogh.  So too for a collector of pottery there comes a time when we begin to look past the color and size of say a vase, and see the true talent being expressed by an artist at work.

All pottery companies employed such people – artists that helped to define the look of a pottery company and whose work helped that company gain notoriety.  As my collecting of pottery has evolved, I find pleasure in seeking out those signature works by the  artists, craftsmen and designers that define a time period or an overall thrust of the pottery companies body of work.

One such individual who did just that was Royal Arden Hickman (1893-1969) who brought his signature style to many works produced by Haeger Potteries (Dundee, Illinois) during his tenure with them from 1938 into the early 1940’s. His work was so important to the overall art pottery line produced by Haeger that his designs were issued under the “Royal Haeger” name. A line that today still carries his playfulness and sense of drama.

Van Briggle Pottery c.1946-48 7.75" Hand Thrown "Original" Ewer in Mulberry Glaze by Clem Hull, $150.00 SOLD

So today. weather permitting, when you are shopping the Long Beach Antique & Collectible Market, take some time to seek out special pieces of pottery and see if you can name the designer. In time you will see what one individual brought to the company and begin having those “ah-ha” moments of, “Yes, that Van Briggle ewer is a hand thrown Clem Hull work.”

Marc Bellaire c.1991 6.5" Hand Thrown & Painted Unique Vase - Made just prior to his death 1994, $160.00

The Long Beach Antique & Collectible Market is being held today, Sunday, March 20th from 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM in the Veteran’s Stadium Parking lot. Be sure to visit our green and white tent, rain or shine, located in booth #A-853. For additional information on the Long Beach Flea Market contact us or visit their website http://www.longbeachantiquemarket.com.

Signature of Marc Bellaire on the c.1991 6.5" Hand Thrown & Painted Unique Vase

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Filed under Antique Market, Collectibles, Haeger Pottery, Hand-thrown pottery, Marc Bellaire, Van Briggle Pottery