Shalom! and Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Story, by Richard Burton, 1966
Shalom ceramic tile, c.1960s

Shalom and Merry Christmas! These two pieces have a lovely synchronicity, in shape, colour and form. The funky symbol of Shalom- Hebrew for peace- has a handwritten message on its timber back – ‘Jerusalem’ which I take to be its place of manufacture. The deep blue and orange of the ceramic tile are so very 60s. The tile is framed and has a hook for hanging on its back- this Shalom is meant for display.

Meanwhile Richard Burton- THE Richard Burton -has written a story about his [impoverished] Welsh childhood and subsequent Christmases. He also provided the illustrations. Apparently an acTOR and an author/illustrator. It’s a bit of a turgid read, but this book was continually republished until the late 80s. Must have been doing something right. I bought it mainly for the lovely graphics on the hardback cover.

Wishing all my readers Shalom, and Merry Christmas! And I am sure Richard Burton would want to add his wishes also.

This set is for sale: $AUD45

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Smoking dog

Smoking dog tapestry
Commonwealth Bank money box, made in Australia 1970s

How hilarious is this framed tapestry? How often do you wish you could see a dog with a cane and a cigar? It’s ready for hanging – totally 70s – and hilarious.

The Commonwealth Bank had an elephant for its logo for a looong time- before today’s dull corporate ‘biscuit’ logo. This money box is from the 70s- evidenced by its jaunty up-swung trunk; before the 70s, the elephant was rather dour and had a hanging trunk. Money box collectors will know what I mean.

I like the two elements together- both relics of the 70s- and the red money box lends itself to the colours of the smoking dog tapestry.

The collection is for sale; $AUD55

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Sellex picnic ware

Sellex picnic ware
made in Australia, 1940s

The strong colours of these bakelite pieces are quite mesmerising. I don’t think the plates and bowls have ever been used, as they are pristine, with no scratches and no diminishing of those superb colours. I have mentioned before that yellow bakelite is particularly prone to deterioration and ‘mudding’ of its colour, so this set is in particularly good condition. Ironically for picnic ware- I would suggest it’s never seen the light of day!

We can date the plates and bowls to Australia in the 40s due to the ‘rounded-square’ shape, and the edge fluting. And the plates’ markings, which have ‘Sellex Reg.’ in cast lettering on the underside.

This would make a great starter set for the bakelite collector or enthusiast.  Merry Christmas! For sale: $AUD80

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Bakelite canisters

Sellex nested bakelite canisters, made in Australia c. 1940s
Kanga and Roo salt & pepper shakers, made in Japan c.1960s

These Sellex bakelite canisters ‘Rice’ and ‘Coffee’ have been separated from their larger red-lidded set [flour, tea and sugar…] but Kanga and Roo are in their entirety; Roo being the pepper, and Kanga – the salt.

I’m sure someone out there has the rest of the Sellex set – or at least wants to add to canisters already collected. The ceramic kanga and roo S& P shaker set is adorable and in perfect condition. Make someone’s Christmas wishes come true!

For sale: $AUD85

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Blue Moon

Poole Blue Moon tea cups
made in England 1960-1975

Following on from my last post, here is another set of mid-century Poole teacups.

Poole is a celebrated pottery operating from Dorset, England from 1873 – and continuing until today. I am particularly fond of the pottery produced between the 1930s and 1960s.

These tea cups – very modern in shape and sans handle – are part of the Cameo range. The colour is ‘Blue Moon’ –a deep blue exterior, with a slightly off-white interior [pure white would be too stark…this off-white is just right.] The set of eight tea cups and saucers have the traditional mid-century Poole mark on each piece.

The cups don’t hold much tea – perhaps they were for a Japanese tea ceremony- which would certainly align with the blue moon theme. Either way, the set of eight cups and saucers are delicious.

This set is for sale: $AUD145

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Retro banana vase & jug

Banana vase, made in Australia c.1960
Banana jug, made in Australia c.1960

I love the kitsch qualities of these pieces that celebrate all things banana. Get yourself some fake fruit – and voila! A wonderful yellow ensemble. Start your banana-themed collection today!

This set is for sale: $AUD25 [fake fruit not included…but available, fortunately, everywhere!]

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Pates vases- pink & green speckled

Pates vases
made in Sydney, Australia c.1940s-1950s

I have posted about Pates pottery previously [sorry, couldn’t help the alliteration] – but not, I think, the pink and green speckled Pates pottery.

Pates Pottery operated out of Belmore, Sydney from 1946 -1990, quite close to where I now live. Pates’ designs and colours were influenced by the 1950s furnishing and domestic colour trends; so these three vases are instantly recognisable as coming from the 50s.

The set comprises a ring ‘floating’ flower vase- with deco stylings, an upright vase with exaggerated lip and a floating flower ‘log’ vase. I don’t really understand the ‘log’ vase- but it is so associated with the 50s and was so ubiquitous that I have come to embrace its slightly kitschy realism.

This set is for sale:  $AUD85

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Shalom! and Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Story, by Richard Burton, 1966
Shalom ceramic tile, c.1960s

Shalom and Merry Christmas! These two pieces have a lovely synchronicity, in shape, colour and form. The funky symbol of Shalom- Hebrew for peace- has a handwritten message on its timber back – ‘Jerusalem’ which I take to be its place of manufacture. The deep blue and orange of the ceramic tile are so very 60s. The tile is framed and has a hook for hanging on its back- this Shalom is meant for display.

Meanwhile Richard Burton- THE Richard Burton -has written a story about his [impoverished] Welsh childhood and subsequent Christmases. He also provided the illustrations. Apparently an acTOR and an author/illustrator. It’s a bit of a turgid read, but this book was continually republished until the late 80s. Must have been doing something right. I bought it mainly for the lovely graphics on the hardback cover.

Wishing all my readers Shalom, and Merry Christmas! And I am sure Richard Burton would want to add his wishes also.

This set is for sale: $AUD45

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Christmas cherries

Covetro cherry bowl, made in Italy c.1960s
Plastic cherry paperweight, c.1960s
Christmas angel figurine, c.1960s

In Sydney, at Christmas time it’s all about the cherries. Cherry season is a relatively short period from November to early January and so cherries are always associated with Christmas. Maybe the red and green colouring also contributes to the association.

The 60s were also all about the cherry. Cherry icons and logos were everywhere. This collection references both the 60s and – for all Sydneysiders: Christmas.

All items are in excellent conditions, except the Christmas angel figurine who has been rubbed a little too vigorously and so lost a little red paint. Still, she’s over forty years old and is entitled to. She has a chick at her feet, which is another story altogether.

This set is for sale: $AUD45

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