Antiques — Antiquers Are California Dreamin’

Before we set out on our California gold rush this week, there a few events happening this month that are clear indicators that the local antique scene is heating up,
First, Teaberry Marketplace on Route 9 in Clermont is hosting another Experts’ Day, an appraisal fair, this Sat., May 19, from 10 a.m. until at least 3 p.m. I’ll be there to appraise whatever you bring in. The Marketplace is huge, so there’s a lot to see, and you will want to become a regular at the café run by Avalon Coffee. Call 609-624-1700 for more information.
Second, my annual list of the top antiques of the season will be published here on May 23. If you miss it, look out for it on the Herald web site.
Finally, don’t miss the annual Avalon Antiques Show, the official opening of the antiques season, on Sat., May 26, at that town’s Community Hall on the ocean at 30th Street. I’ll be there to appraise your things, and I’ll have my camera ready to take pictures of anything special brought in by you or any of the over 25 quality dealers. There will also be tasty baked goods, plants and flowers for sale all for the benefit of the local hospital auxiliary.
So, why another California gold rush? This time it’s for the pottery made in that state during the mid-20th Century. Everybody is finally realizing that this stuff is some of the most artistic, stylish, and affordable pottery available on the market today; and it’s all made in the U.S.A.
Discussions of California art pottery and dinnerware usually begins with the “Big Four:”
1. Gladding McBean, Glendale, 1923-84, which was the manufacturer of the Franciscan, Catalina and Hermosa lines among others;
2. Metlox, Manhattan Beach, 1927-88, which was one of the best known makers of novelty cookie jars after McCoy;
3. Pacific Pottery, 1932-42, Los Angeles, which was the art ware division of Pacific Clay Products; and
4.Vernon Kilns, Vernon, 1931-58, whose colorful modern dinnerware is hard to resist.
Although these are the major players, they are hardly even the tip of the iceberg. To get an idea of how many potteries we’re looking at, Wikipedia has what seems to be a complete list. You can also get a copy of “The Collector’s Encyclopedia of California Pottery” by Jack Chipman. It’s for sale new and used on Amazon for $5 to $25.
I’ve included some of the companies I would look for in the photos with this column. One of them is Florence Ceramics, started by Florence Ward. She began making pottery as a hobby to distract herself from her grief over the death a son in 1939. By 1942 she had a full-fledged company in operation that lasted until 1964.
Florence only quit because Lefton was doing such a good job of copying her style and underselling her. Now they’re both collectible, with Florence’s figurines more popular and valuable.
Hedi Schoop also made figurines. A Swiss student studying art in Germany, she and her family fled the Nazis in 1933. Her happy figures, made between 1944 and 1958, seem to be caught in mid-motion.
Sacha Brastoff was a dancer, an actor and a window dresser who made pottery on the side. He was very good at all these trades, but his pottery one day caught the eye of a Rockefeller, who set him up in business from 1947-‘63. Brastoff’s pieces are among the most artistic of the California wares.
Look also for such names as Paden City, Batchelder, Roselane, Winfield (“Gabrielle”) and so many more.
Most California pottery from the era is marked, but after a while you get to know it by sight. It’s just what so many people are looking for in their decor these days. It’s colorful, optimistic, forward-looking and modern.
Arthur Schwerdt, a certified appraiser, is the author of “The Antique Story Book: Finding the Real Value of Old Things,” and co-owner of The August Farmhouse Antiques on Route 9 in Swainton. Send your comments, questions and appraisal requests to: aschwerdt@cmcherald.com