Mingay, Pates, Diana, Casey Ware, made in Australia c.1950s
Yes, okay, lustreware is an acquired taste. Both my photographer and my partner cringed when I bought this group out- they are both dear to me but they will not even pretend to care for the lustreware! For me, the vases are a quintessential expression of the 50s – lustreware was a world-wide phenomenon – in the linking of ideas of ‘modernity’ with ‘metal’ or machinery. The vases themselves might be florid – but the metal glaze was all about the machine age.
The metallic glaze was produced by using metal oxides in an overglaze, placed over the initial colour and re-fired in the kiln. It seems as if all the post-war potteries in Sydney produced lustreware; and for good measure, the same pieces can also be found in ordinary glazes. These vases were given a special stamped code to distinguish them from their non-lustreware cousins.
From the left to the right of the image:
Mingay [stamped 235 on base]
Pates [V8]
Pates [V10]
Diana [V46]
and two examples of Casey Ware [not marked, but I have seen these two vases in a non-lustreware finish.]
The small Pates [V8] vase has a repair on its base; all the other vases are in tip-top lustrey condition. For sale: $AUD105
I am in Sydney too and I must say this type of lustreware looks eerily familiar, as do a lot of your objects! I am sure I have seen them in a cupboard somewhere… but where….? I know I have seen those bambis in years gone by as well. I was growing up through the time that these things were in use. Nice to see them out of the cupboard. I think I have a few relatives sitting on a goldmine of retro objects.
yep, that lustreware is hard to forget, once seen! i am drawn to bambis because i wasn’t allowed them when i was growing up (too gauche!)- but now have an ironic / nostalgic relationship with them. you must get your relatives to get out their retro goldmines…it needs to be seen and loved!
Hi Edwina,
I was wondering if you would be be willing to sell any of the lustreware vases seperately ?
hi carolyn- i am almost tempted since you must be the only other lustreware enthusiast who i’ve ever met…but i think the set needs to stay together. you can’t have too much lustreware [ow! my eyes!]
You’re not the only one! I mainly collect things that look like fish, shells or clams – i.e. check out my amazing fish vases! (I linked to your posts as I can’t find anyone else blogging about Lustreware) http://www.subversivefemme.com/2015/04/my-vintage-brooch-collection.html
i am loving those fish vases! i shall have to look out for sea-related lustreware for you. keep up the good fight!