When I moved to Palm Springs California from Chatham NY, I slowly began an evolution......I was becoming an orange person! No..I dont mean an orange person like those Asian or Mexican girls with jet black hair who want to be blonde California gurlz like we see on TV...all spray tanned and highlighted who emerge from the salon an odd shade of peachy orange.....(maybe a little like Beyonce's artificial hair color?)..I had a theory a few years back that the multi-ethnicization of America was being foreshadowed in California by these 'orange girls' and that most of America was gonna be that color by 2030....and it looks like we're well on our way!
No...the orange I like is mid century modern super orange....not quite international orange like caution cones or life jackets...but a rich, bright, vibrant orange orange......the kind we use and live with on a daily basis in oh-so-cool mid century modern Palm Springs...in upholstery fabrics, in powder coated outdoor metal retro furniture, in pillows, as accent colors for our super hip doors and ultra-mod restaurants...orange rules Palm Springs and Southern California in general I have some friends who shop for all orange utilitarian objects..like orange plastic drinkware, orange hangers, even orange q-tips! They live in a house decorated in only 2 colors...blue..and orange..(complimetaries on the color wheel)..accented by white and clear...colorless-colors....so the predominant effect is the high contrast punch of these 2 super shades.
It was with that kind of persona in mind that when I discovered German Art Pottery of the 1960's..sometimes sub categorized as "FAT LAVA"..that I knew I had found my orange fetish a worthy category to obsess on. Deemed this volcanic-like term because of the super vibrant magma like colors, pumice ashy glazes, super textural finishes and surfaces.....Fat Lava seemed PERFECT for our homes in California as accent pots...the way Fiesta, Bauer, Glendale, and Catalina Pottery had all seemed 15-20 years ago...but offered a newer, fresher, more modern 60's-70's FEEL. Instantly...I acquired lots of it...mostly from Germany and Canada....as not that much was imported inot the States.....and I now have a section of my shop devoted to selling it and infecting others with orange fetish. Companies like Scheurich, Bay, Carstens, Roth and Ceremano are among dozens of firms which produced this ware in the 60's and 70's in Germany...in large numbers....but the pottery somehow was deemed 'uncool' for many years, and was supplanted by Italian Bitossi, English Poole and other European pottery as THE fashionable art pottery for the MCM modernists to live with.....and relegated to the scrap heap of pottery nerds likes lists.,...and not given much respect. Well my friends Forrest Poston, of Gin-Fors Odditiques in Indiana, and the extra gorgeous and lovely Reyne Haynes Hirsch from Houston and I, Mr. Matt of Palm Springs, have for a while, (Forrest for a long while)...been trying to give this pottery a little respect....with our websites, galleries and shops featuring it in a high impact decorative way...and its popularity is GROWING...and selling! Several books have been published and DVD's as well have been produced showing just how gorgeous FAT LAVA can be....and that dissemination of pictures and information has jump started and multiplied interest over the past year or so.. Several shows and exhibitions have taken place in Europe...where most of the collectors are,...and have also added intrique and established 'validity' for this all too long overlooked category of European pottery. Interested in learning more? Join Facebooks open group WEST GERMAN POTTERY...and youll meet all the pottery nerds, be able to buy the books and dvd's, and learn more than you though you ever needed to about these lovely vessels. There are subcategories too within the main category....and Ill illuminate you all about those items in another later post...but for today...enjoy these 3 Scheurich orange pots...and another orange and brown one....vibrant with volcanic verve....and see if the stuff suits you.....Questions....write me at route66antiques@aol.com or on Facebook..and Ill lecture, lecture lecture you MORE!
Having just posted a stellar group of geometric bangle bracelets, I figured it only fair to pander to those of you who love bakelite's figural category of pins. I tow the line at the overly cute-sy nursery rhymey infantile baby nimal pins and the like..but this overdyed RARE monkey pin with its subtle resin washed detail and leather ears is a special one. I personally, have a thing about monkeys, they're definitely not for me, in any format, but this is a rare and special pin for those of you not freaked out by monkeys...(It's kinda like the Evil clown thing....Im just kinda scared of em,,and feel sorry for em too)....and the larger resin washed and square cut rhinestone embellished dreadlock lady head pin is another big IMPORTANT figural pin with tons of verve and style that is not cute-sy either....and commands much attention when worn as a suit pin or dramatic accessory. Just because me, 'the author', doesnt get these personally too well..doesnt mean they should be summarily dismissed. fiugural bakelite pins are great buys these days.....and have to increase in value back to their former glory days......so shop away...and call or write about these two , should you be so inclined!
Geometric bakelite and actually, pretty much ANYTHING geometric...is always at the top of my "LIKES" list....I don't know why figural subjects dont hold as much appeal for me as abstracted squares, circles and zig-zags do....but I am always responsive to the clean lines of geometry. I was a MESS at Algebra...but the visual sensibility that GEOMETRY held within the world of mathematics even trumped my natural and genetic math phobic sensibilities..I was GOOD at it! Stripes, dors, laminates, squares, octagonals, all of the above really light my bakelite fire---You too? Good.....ask away about availability, price, shipping.....I am the man who loves it all..but has a special fondness for these racks!.
Although this blog is supposedly about vintage jewels....this year, with selling my home in the east, I have available for sale a 'cornucopia' (check out the lamp) of classical antiques, ceramics, lamps, glass and objects. This is a favorite..a wonderful leaded glass hade, cornucopia themed, with faceted fuschia cabochon disc-ettes studding the surface. The base is GORGEOUS----a french bronze art deco techno-industrial styled wonder, all neo-Egyptian and cool! Out of category I know...but just gaze upon it and enjoy....and message me at route66antiques@aol.com to ask for price and shipping details!
We all have shared in the always popular style of 1980's and 90's Chanel couture vintage jewels..all that goldtone and cabochons and crosses and oversized glamorous gaudy BLING....but look here at a masterwork of French House of Gripoix work for the House of chanel.... the wondrous work of the 1960;s CHANEL......another ball of wax completely.....much more to my tastes.......
Graduated turquoise glass flowers on chain with fuschia poured glass droplets......along with the faux emerald textile-like lariat I posted a few days ago.....this is---- along with that aforementioned necklace, among the most luxe and wonderful pieces I have owned in the last 2 or 3 years....a dear and special regular client and customer for all categories of the finest jewelry owns it now...so I can at least visit it and say "hello gorgeous" when Im in the city it's in.....and that my friends..is a nice consolation prize to no longer POSESSING it....of course--- the big bucks I sold it for...that helped too!
