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

Kathie Winkle ‘Tashkent’ plate

Kathie Winkle ‘Tashkent’ dinner plate
made by Broadhurst, England 1970-1980

Here is another plate by Kathie Winkle Design ‘Tashken’t [very collectible right now]- it is stoneware with a handpainted underglaze [the pattern] but is detergent and dishwasher proof. So far I have collected – and featured on this blog- three other designs by Kathie Winkle [of over one hundred produced] – Calypso, Kontiki and Newlyn.

Imagine a whole wall of Kathie Winkle patterns…if they were easily detachable you could store your entire dinner service in this way! Form AND function- the ultimate 60s ideal.

Kathie Winkle’s patterned plates have become so collectible that Kathie herself is re-releasing thirty of the most popular design [see her Facebook page.] For my money, though- it’s the original pieces that are the best to collect- they have typical 60s and 70s colourings and being painted by hand, they are all unique. The re-released patterns have a uniformity produced by modern methods and lack the individuality of the originals.

The Tashkent plate is for sale: $AUD15

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Pearsons kitchen jars

Pearsons stoneware jars
made in England 1970s

These condiment jars- three with pouring lips- are all ‘bung’ jars; the top was sealed originally with a removable bung made of cork. The larger three with pouring lips were made for vinegar, oil and vinegrettes and are 6 inches, the smaller one was made for spices and it’s 4 ¾ inches.

The printed makers name on the base of the jars is ‘Pearsons of Chesterfield’ – the pottery works has been making stoneware jars since 1810 and only stopped production in 1994. The makers mark indicates these jars were made in the 70s.

James Pearson took over the early pottery works in the 1930s and renamed it Pearsons of Chesterfield; and when the pottery closed in 1994 it was the last of the potteries to do so.

The jars have a minimalist vibe unusual for the 70s and look fantastic massed together: they are now quite collectible and being so sturdy can be pressed into work in the contemporary kitchen.

The four jars are for sale: $AUD60

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Bung jars

Bung jars
Doulton Lambeth, made in England 1858-1910

This is my partner’s latest collection- bung jars- so called because a cork lid was ‘bunged’ into the top to seal the jar. Doulton Lambeth made domestic salt glazed stoneware and these date from 1858-1910 as indicated by the markers mark incised in the side of the jar.

Also incised is the holding capacity- 3P [pints] – and sometimes the goods stored in the jars. Stoneware is excellent for keeping preserves and has good thermal qualities- so foodstuffs remained stable inside. The jars were never intended to be ornamental, purely functional; you can see the way glaze has been applied- but even so there is a ring of incised decoration to most jars. Most bung jars found nowadays have chips and cracks from their hard life; however we have managed to collected jars without faults.

The jars look fantastic massed together, and make great vases [the big one is an excellent umbrella stand.] And –because of the brown tones- I think the jars look great on timber.