Ever Wonder?

Do you ever wonder where your work wound up?

Ever want it back?

This happens to me sometimes. I made a sugar and creamer once - strictly experimental piece - that I sold at a show. Thank heavens I took a good photo for future reference.

This little "Tea for Two" pot also went and in this case, I knew the woman who bought it would use it. And that feels really good.


One piece that I think I will always wonder about is a large square teapot. It had been included in the first book, 100 Teapots.  It was sold before the book came out and try as I could, I could never find the new owner to let them know their teapot's image had been published.

Too bad galleries don't help artists track their buyers. I suppose they assume the two parties will go around them on sales, but that's wrong thinking. Cooperation and good communications between buyers, galleries and sellers has great potential to encourage even more sales for everybody.

I would be happy to let my buyers know where they could find my work. I'm sure galleries would appreciate artists who tell their buyers about the gallery or a show. And I know buyers appreciate information about where to find more of your work.  Think positively!

Eye Candy - Teapots

Collection of web images for teapot shapes:

Mystery Teapot

Some time ago, I published a photo of this pot on the blog.

Unfortunately at the time, I couldn't find the maker's identity.

I included it in the post anyway because it's such a great piece.

I like the lovely glaze variation. There's lots of planes and surfaces  to show it off.

Three oval loops - each an individual statement,  yet relating nicely in oval form to each other and giving a wholeness to the piece.

Round-y additions that pop the mass and give references to each other, moving the eye. The bold statement of the spout.

Design rule going on here is 3 oval elements; 3 rounds and one strong variation.

Today, the maker of the pot contacted me.  She is a potter who works in St. Louis and her name is Yael Shomnoni. You can see more of her work at http://www.yaelshomronipottery.com.

Nice to hear from you, Yael, Great Work!

Great Teapots

Going through some old files on my computer, I ran across these teapots made by various artists.

I love to look at these and, fortunately, the creators' names were included in this resource.

Enjoy!

Clary Illian

 D'Angel-Wing

 Ester Ikeda

 Fong Choo

 Linda Bloomfield

 Lloyd Hamovit

 Margaret Patterson

 Matt Wilt

 Mathew Hansche

Teapots - Form

 

I love these pots.


They all just scream FORM.


Form is so important in the creation process. To my mind, it is the primary; the first essential.


It doesn't matter so much how dazzling the glaze is or the size of the piece or any other aspect of design or treatment applied. If the form isn't good, no amount of attachments or embellishments can will overcome that.



FORM is the statement of the piece.

My first clay instructor asked me one day, "What statement are you making with this piece?"

I was flummoxed. To me, 'Statement' meant a verbal message. I just couldn't reconcile the idea of something said and a piece of clay.

In my mind, I thought it as a ridiculous thing to say. The two things just didn't relate to each other.

But

It is the kind of thing that hangs around the corners of your mind. Now, I get it.

Each of the following pots have strong statements. Wouldn't you agree?  What caption would you add?

What Sass! 

I would almost expect engine sounds, pouring out my tea.

Who's a clever lid, now?.

So beautifully traditional. 

Perfect blend of form and interpretation.

Perfect harmony, but does it pour?

I just know there's tea inside. Wonderful balance in so many ways.

Drop the body decoration and let the form fly!

Clever lid and chain. I've got you now, tea.

So simple; so difficult.

Great blend of two forms--stylized and slick. This pot just sings.

So does this one. Just look at the negative space! Wonderful surface design.

Everything relates like a Mother and Children. Or are they Minion? 

Strong, yet light. The handle could be slightly heavier, but not much.

Perfect glaze and form. I would love to see the handle up. I almost would rather see a vine handle, though.

India or China?

I inherited this unusual vintage pot from my husband's family. I'm guessing from the design, it was made around 1920-30. This pot was made in many different colors and sometimes with an applied gold trim.

The divided pot was so the hostess could offer her guests either tea from or China.  Very elegant, yes?

Beside the Twinspout Tea Master make, the Hall Tea company made a lot of teapots that look like this, although they were usually made without two chambers.

The last time I checked, this pot is worth around $200.00 because it is in perfect condition.

There is a kiln mark on the foot, but these are usually overlooked in evaluations. And evaluations vary according to how they are framed. Insurance evals are higher because they refer to replacement values. Auction prices are much lower because they are for a quick sale. The real value is somewhere in between. Also prices will vary according to the way a market swings.

So once the pot is filled with tea, how do you tell which side has which tea? 

There are very subtle 'touch and sight' clues that aren't apparent at first sight.

The handle has very slight ridges over one spout. Some other pots have a more obvious 'thumb stop' or knob on one side or the other.  

And you can barely see an impressed arrow on the left-hand galley pointing to one chamber. It is the chamber closest to the ridged side of the handle.

Also, you would think the lid would fit no matter which way you put it on. But it only fits one way. The clue is also a subtle arrow impressed into the claybody.

Next time you see one of these in an antiques store, check it out.

More Teapots

I haven't seen this book yet, but I'm sure it's as good as the first one.

Below:

Ann Hirondale's two pots. I never get tired of looking at these.

She offered a great class some years ago.

These pots are surprisingly light when you pick them up.

Unfortunately, I don't know who made this beauty.

Or this one, but it looks like a commercial pot. Nice shape all the same.

A Fine Mess Pottery.

A gaggle of teapots?

No, that's geese.


Maybe a Twitter of Teapots.

These last two are by Sequoia Miller.