JAPANESE SUMIDA POTTERY

I was incredibly blessed last week. I didn't see this amazing large Japanese Sumida vase at Preview; so when it came to the block, I was truly bidding blind. The auctioneer announced the item, I took the plunge and bought it.....remember, we are not talking about a $20.00 bid.

When I picked it up on Monday, I was stunned--it's perfect, no cracks, no chips, signed and most of all: it's a dragon vase with a poem on the reverse.

Sumida ware, also known as poo ware or Sumida Gawa is a heavily potted ceramic genre that was created in the Sumida Gawa (river) region, the pottery is easily identified by its heavy clay body, high relief decoration, rough flambe glaze with a smoother flowing glaze dripping down from the rim, raised signature or a signature tile. The high relief decorations most commonly feature monkeys and humans, but dragons and other elements can also be featured. I believe that the poem in high relief characters is unusual and I haven't found any other examples (yet). 

I'm going to stick to photos of my vase, but you can Google "Sumida" for other examples.

My vase stands an impressive 17.5 inches and is approximately 9-10 inches in diameter. The relief is of a pair of dragons with a "flaming pearl". In Japanese culture the dragon is associated with water and symbolizes wealth and power and is the guardian of the East (the phoenix is the guardian of the South). The pearl or flaming pearl symbolizes wisdom and the gods. The vase also includes symbolic decorations of clouds (the heavens), wind and waves (the water realm). I believe that this example dates to c. 1880-1890, but I can't be positive until I consult an expert.

Following are detail photos of my Sumida treasure--actually I seem to love everything that is passing my way. I guess that it is really the hunt and the unexpected gifts that I love.

This is a heavy guy--not likely to tip in an earthquake.

Jones had his hair done again and is looking super handsome. We have been having an early Spring and I want it to go back to winter.

I cannot believe that it is already Palm Sunday!! So blessings for the coming Easter week.

Mary & Jones & Cole

ZOO TIME

I love animals. However, on Thursday I went a little overboard and now have a zoo at the shop. I intended to only bid on the crab, but the auctioneer put all of these bronzed garden beasties into one lot; soooooo---I just couldn't resist. Here are the newest additions to my already  existing menagerie of objects (lions, camels, dogs, birds, horses, people, 1 huge grasshopper and cats) that form lighting elements, bookends, tables or whatever. 

The crab is the most desirable

Everyone has loved the cobra (my least favorite as I do not love snakes)

I guess I won't have to worry too much about the cobra getting crazy as I also adopted a hawk

And to round out the zoo acquisitions is the 25 inch alligator

And let's not forget Mr. Snail (top photo)--he's pretty cute, almost cuddly.  These are all very sizable--the crab measures about 14" x 13"; they are perhaps French or English in origin and date to c. 1950-60??

Although, these guys are big, they are still the perfect size for bookcase accents. Some one once told me that my eye goes to life or living things and I think that's true--static, frou-frou objects such as elaborate porcelains or bronzes hold little appeal. Now I just have to get the rest (maybe 30%) of the buying world to agree with me.

I hit a milestone yesterday. About 11 or 12 years ago I decided that I needed Nate Berkus and Oprah to come into shop and absolutely love what I did. The scenario came to life almost as I envisioned with a few minor changes. It was three locations later; Nate and Jere brought in their client, who just happens to be the President of OWN.....good enough for me. Setting intentions does bring results; sometimes, you have to be patient enough to see the outcomes. (I think you must also let go of the outcome.....hard one) So I took the day off today: have to set some new intentions.

Blessings,

Mary & Jones & Cole

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

Isn't she lovely........ I went to Newport Beach to buy lampshades--yes, they were expensive, but I buy USA-made products whenever possible and you simply CANNOT put crappy (excuse my French) lampshades with amazing lamps. Next door to my lampshade guy is a super consignment shop; so I just had to pop in. The shop was filled to the gills and it was hard to spot the great stuff as there was so much good stuff. But there she stood, all surrounded and covered up with things. I have never previously bought (or been attracted to) antique wicker; so I was a bit hesitant. My instincts were telling me "buy"; so I bought. It turns out that this little table is a turn-of-the-century Heywood-Wakefield table. Look at the fantastic beaded detail

the curls, the woven "balls" and curvy, sexy legs

But the piece-de-resistance is the woven-lace design caned top (my photos were taken of the table turned upside down in the car):

She is now sitting pretty in the shop and tomorrow I'll photograph her for submission to 1stdibs. The only similar tables on 1stdibs were from Newel, a top-level New York dealer.  Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that this little gem is in near mint condition and tight as a drum.

This has been a very good month for little me; so now I really need to acquire inventory and step-up my shopping quotient. There could be worse situations to find oneself in... tomorrow is auction preview and I'm expecting to uncover a few sleepers.

Jones looks super handsome with his new haircut and he has been super naughty.

Blessings for the new month.

Mary & Jones & Cole

I was running really late this morning...and I had to hustle to my auction! As I walked out the door I heard the squaking and cawing of a large group of crows--this was not usual for our neighborhood--these were big (sorry, ugly, nasty looking guys). I looked for the source of all this commotion and spotted a beautiful fawn-colored pigeon in the grass. I though he might be injured and I could perhaps save him from the circling crows. As I carefully walked towards him, he rose up with his dead mate grasped tightly. My heart became at once heavy. How dare we humans think that we are the only species that truly loves. How arrogant, narcissistic.

We are called to love and connect--all existence loves or shrivels. I am so grateful for this sweet reminder.

I didn't buy anything at auction--after my gift of seeing true love and faithfulness--it all seemed like fluff.

Blessings for the day.

Mary & Jones & Cole

MORE PRESENTS

Roberto came on Tuesday and we worked all day on stuff. He polished the Regency Cabinets--I still can't believe that I have them (a thousand happy faces). I also managed to catch a few other  things last week (and Thursday is tomorrow).

I think every space needs to have (1) some humor mixed in and I was lucky that last Thursday no one had the same sense of humor that I have (maybe that's not such a good thing?). And (2) every room needs some black to ground it. These two tables satisfy both requirements. I'm pretty sure that the tables were created by a recognized artist, but they are not signed..... 

Of course, The Cat Table came with The Tumblers' Table (not exactly the man I envision--but acceptable)

I think both table date to c. 1970-80, but really do not know. To me they are folk art; I love the natural patina and signs of use.

Remember Kevin's rooster?

Well, I brought him dinner

This folk art/found object grass hopper is actually a coffee table base--I think he's more like a work of art. He's pretty long--about 38".

And last up is a pair of American(?) Spanish Revival iron stretcher trestle benches

I know that they don't have any relationship to anything else that I'm buying, but aren't they great? It is so hard to find this type of bench and to find a pair?!  I also just happen to have a trestle table that they will work with (I hope)--we'll see.

I need to get to bed--have been fighting a cold all week even stayed home today (all day).

Wish me luck to tomorrow--all we have to do is listen.

Mary & Jones & Cole

PRESENTS

Thursday evolved into a day when I was definitely "in the flow". I had previewed the auction on Wednesday; so I was aware of what was coming up. But there was one section that I did not preview: the cheap section because it was just a big pile of stacked furniture. I arrived at auction about an hour after the first lot had gone up. Maybe 10 minutes after I arrived, I hear the auctioneer say "a pair of round cabinets" (because I'm not tall enough to see over a lot of heads) I barely caught a glimpse of the cabinets and guessed that they might be old Baker pieces, but really didn't know. But I followed that little voice and bought them sight unseen (they weren't inexpensive for what I thought they might be). When I checked them out after the bidding stopped, I was confused...nope not Baker--but probably English mid-century. On Friday, when Marshall was loading the cabinets into my SUV, I asked him to turned one of the cabinets upside down... I almost went into shock: the pair just happened to be early 19thc. English Regency bedside cupboards and in excellent condition. One of the doors was locked and it looked like someone had taken the keys (you could see the empty tape where the keys had been)--but I have lots of old keys and was pretty sure I could open the door.

Saturday, Roberto brought up the cabinets and sure enough one of my keys opened the door, but best of all-----(drum roll): there was an extra original key that had fallen into the bottom of the cabinet section.

Here are a couple of detail shots.

I had not realized how spectacular the cabinets were until Roberto brought them to shop: look at the stunning crotched or flamed mahogany throughout; the cross-banding to the tops; the very unusual large complete oval form and their amazing condition.

The pulls are replacements and I have ordered new brass pulls from England.

I've been searching the internet (still need to check out Sotheby's/Christies) and have not seen anything comparable.

God does give good gifts, but I'm learning that I need to have the courage to listen and step out without a net.

I'll blog about some other items that I picked up on Thursday later in the week.

Jones say "hey" --he's getting his hair cut next week (right now he's a mess).

Blessings,

Mary & Jones & Cole

ISN'T HE AMAZING?.............BRUTALIST SCULPTURE

Kevin, the owner of Arroyo Artifacts, sauntered in with this petit rooster in tow. Actually it took two strong guys to bring this guy up the stairs. Arroyo Artifacts is one of the top Mid-Century/Danish 20th c. arts dealer in Los Angeles and (lucky me) Kevin is one of my neighbors at the Pasadena Antique Center. This huge Brutalist Rooster is a great example of the Brutalist Design movement that was influential in the sixties and seventies. The sculpture was created with copper sheeting and has acquired a wonderful patina. I love the rooster's energy and movement--I do wish that I had a place for him, don't think he'd squeeze through the door. Brutalism is just starting to come back into the design world idiom--can't wait to see where this piece ends up. Other sculptures created by George Frederick Holschuh are located in museums around the world.

Here are a few detail photos.

 

I took a couple of shots of the auction description of the sculpture.

Tomorrow is auction preview day--and I'm on the hunt for chairs. As some know, I'm a chair addict and really have to be restrained physically from buying chairs. But I have sold 3 sets of chairs in the last three days; so I'm allowing myself the pleasure of at least being able to consider chairs. And chairs end up being pretty pricey as they usually need to be reupholstered. Which means I then get to go fabric hunting!!

It has been in the mid 90's for days. However, tomorrow we'll get a bit of rain (fingers crossed).

Mary & Jones & Cole