Children’s figurine #50s style

Lustreware duck
made in Japan, 1950s

Following the fantastic lustreware duck jug recently posted; here is another lustreware duck. This is also from the 1950s- this being a dressed duck, with waistcoat and topcoat – but – strangely no wings [seem to be demurely tucked under those clothes.] The duck would have been bought for a children’s room; these anthropomorphic animals were very popular as gifts for children in the 50s and 60s.

The lustreware is seen on the topcoat, and as with the jug, all this was hand-painted. I’ve teamed the duck figurine- which is quite large- 170mm tall- with a little duck cup orphaned from a children’s tea set, also made in Japan at around the same time. Though just how he will pick up that cup is anyone’s guess!

The duck figurine is for sale: $AU35

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Super, super 8

Diamond Super 8 Editor
made in Japan, 1950s

Super 8 film is having a resurgence, and super 8 cameras and editors are being dusted off and put back into use. You only have to look at YouTube to see how many videos are being made using this fantastic 50s technology.

This Editor is fully working, and comes in its original box with splicer, spare bulb, reels of film and even splicing cement [not sure how good it will be after sixty-odd years but the box packing is fabulous.] It’s been tested by an electrician and deemed good to go.

Even if you don’t use the editor to – you know- edit, it is a beautiful piece of engineering that will lend industrial cred to any space.

The Editor [and assorted accoutrements] is for sale: $AU150

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Bambi planter [sold]

Bambi planter
made in Japan 1950s

A Bambi and her doe, in planter-style. I have filled the planter with bok choy [all I had to hand] but of course flowers and/or growing succulents would also work.

I have quite a few Bambis in my collection. I have purposely collected 1950 era bambis that were made here in Australia or in Japan – these are NOT Disney figurines, which I think look more ‘commercial’. I’ve already explained my nostalgic love for Bambi [short answer: not allowed to have one as a child] elsewhere on the blog; so suffice it to say – I collect Bambis whenever I can.

The Bambi planter is in great vintage condition and is for sale: $AU35. Buy now for Christmas!

BODA decanter

BODA decanter
made in Sweden 1971

We’ve all heard of Kosta Boda, the famous Swedish glass manufacturer that is now very collectable. This decanter was made by BODA, which only became part of the Afors group in 1971. In 1976 the brand became Kosta Boda – which dates this decanter to between 1971 and 1976.

The decanter is made of a sienna-coloured glass, with transparent glass handle. It has its original label intact:

BODA
Afors Bruk
SWEDEN

[I couldn’t replicate the 70s font here – zoom in for a fantastic look at that label!]

This is one for the serious collectors. The decanter is in fabulous vintage condition, with no issues whatsoever. It has an off-centre pontil mark. And did I mention it has its label intact?

The BODA decanter is for sale: $AU95

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Children’s figurine #50s style

Lustreware duck
made in Japan, 1950s

Following the fantastic lustreware duck jug recently posted; here is another lustreware duck. This is also from the 1950s- this being a dressed duck, with waistcoat and topcoat – but – strangely no wings [seem to be demurely tucked under those clothes.] The duck would have been bought for a children’s room; these anthropomorphic animals were very popular as gifts for children in the 50s and 60s.

The lustreware is seen on the topcoat, and as with the jug, all this was hand-painted. I’ve teamed the duck figurine- which is quite large- 170mm tall- with a little duck cup orphaned from a children’s tea set, also made in Japan at around the same time. Though just how he will pick up that cup is anyone’s guess!

The duck figurine is for sale: $AU35

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40s bookends

Mulga wood book ends
made in Australia, 1940s

These 40s bookends are made from Mulga wood- which has been cut to show off its famous bi-colouring, and still has the bark of the tree intact. Mulga wood was used in 1940s souvenir works like these as it is a hardwood –unusual in a native from the wattle family – and was considered ‘export quality’. The wood is heavy and dense and so- makes for fantastic book ends.

With the bookends are part of our Observer book collection. These little ‘field’ books run from 1 through 100; 1 is British Birds and 100 is Wayside and Woodland. Some collectors collect only 1-79 [the purists] ; or collect every edition of one of the series. I like the idea of 100 coloured spines lined up- and we have around 30 or so still to collect. One can buy them from specialist booksellers, natch- but I like to discover them in second hand bookshops across the world [we found one in Berlin whilst there.]

So – the bookends are in perfect condition. For collectors of Australiana, Australian timber, or those who just need a decent pair of 40s bookends- here they are. I also have a marvellous pair of bookends with Mulga wood & pewter kangaroos [see previous post.]

The bookends are for sale: $AU40

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70s spotted owl [sold]

Fitz & Floyd spotted owl mug
made in US, 1978

Fitz & Floyd pieces are now very collectable; having started in Dallas, in the US in 1960, the company is well known for their whimsical, humorous ceramic pieces. So this spotted owl mug is collectable because it’s F&F- and – because – owls are also totally collectable right now.

Fitz & Floyd are well known for their date stamps: they always use roman numerals. So on the base of this mug, after the F&F stamp is : MCMLXXVIII. At some point, someone must have realised that ‘1978’ – the Hindu-Arabic numerical system currently in use – was more efficient [space-wise, if nothing else]- but no- F&F are sticking with roman numerals.

For good measure, this mug also has its original F&F sticker. And it’s in great vintage condition.

I have also collected an F&F ‘Bad Guy’ mug [MCMLXXX]- see post below. Both mugs are for sale: $AU25

Fat lava vase [sold]

West Germany vase,
made in 1960s

Here we have another ‘Fat Lava’ vase- made in West Germany in the 60s. The base of the vase is clearly marked W. Germany, but the markers mark is obscured. I think it’s Bay [short for Bay Keramik] – with its identifying vase number, but it’s illegible.

The outer glaze on the vase is a matt charcoal, with matt white: whereas the orange spirals have a shiny glaze. The interior of the vase is also a contrasting shiny sienna colour.

The vase isn’t very large- see the Batmobile for a scale comparison- but it’s in great vintage condition. It would make a good entry level piece in a Fat Lava collection.

The vase is for sale: $AUD40

60s collectables

Kathie Winkle ‘Michelle’ plates
made in England, 1968

Continuing my love affair with Kathie Winkle – the lead designer at Broadhurst in the 60s- here is another of her designs: Michelle. Kathie Winkle designs are very collectible right now – and indeed are currently being re-released. Winkle designed over 140 patterns- all very groovy and typical of the 60s.

These plates have a handpainted underglaze [the green and orange colourings] which makes every plate unique – BUT are they are also detergent and dishwasher proof. So they’re beautiful and functional! Imagine a whole wall of funky 60s plates…if they were easily detachable you could store your entire dinner service that way!

Previously I have posted Kathie Winkle’s ‘Kontiki’ [1967] ‘Calypso’ [1963] ‘Corinth’ [1968] and ‘Newlyn’ [1963.]

Start your Kathie Winkle collection today!- these two dinner plates and side plates are for sale: $AU55

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Gempo pottery [sold]

Gempo mugs
made in Japan 1962-74

These mugs feature the abstract, large –faced form that marks all Gempo pottery. They are also particular to the 70s; with stylised features, and the stoneware pottery glazed in rustic creams and browns. We’re in the 70s folks!

I have featured Gempo egg cups [a family featuring nan & pop, mum and dad, and children] and a Gempo money box [Leo the Lion] previously. Now we have three mugs – a hippo [spotted]; elephant [with trunk as the handle] and koala [wearing dungarees.]

As the 70s becomes more collectable, so these stoneware pieces are becoming sought after. It was something that I did not predict, but have been caught up in.

The three mugs are in excellent vintage condition and are for sale: $AU45