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Building up a knowledge of shapes and colours can really reap rewards. It's why I have my book collection split between two places, within easy reach of either my sofa or my bed. Nothing beats leafing through a book as you relax to firmly imprint images, makers and designers on your brain. Repeated viewing really helps to make sure that when you see something, your brain's card system is reliable enough to ensure that you can correctly identify it. All that 'work' at home in the wee hours was put to good use today when, wandering around London's hip 'n happening Spitalfields market, I stumbled across a rather appealing large spherical amber glass vase. Understandably given the form and colour, the seller thought it was by Holmegaard, and designed by Per Lutken. I knew differently. It was, in fact, a lesser known design by Frank Thrower for Dartington Glass in 1978, and work on my latest book had revealed that it was really rather rare. It was only produced for only six months from 1978-79. Of course, I couldn't reach for my wallet quick enough - out came the readies, and the vase went home with me. Its value - well, I'm not sure right now, so ask me after June when the Dartington Glass book I have just finished is out. But I'd think at least £120 would be fair, and it may even go for more. Not bad for 2 minutes of buying and maybe 20 minutes of leisurely reading!
It's something that we can all do, and it is as enjoyable as it is educational. It also goes to show the importance of books. 
Yes, we can all look on the net to find out what someone thinks something is, and how much they think it is worth, but are they right? At least you know that if it is in a book, it's more likely to be right as considerable research and effort will have gone into preparing a book, which costs a lot of money to produce and can't be changed once it has been printed. How many people put such work into their eBay descriptions? Very few, I'd think. Of course, I'm bound to say this, doing what I do, but it really is true. When I used to work for auction houses, books, catalogues and period advertisements were always some of the least valuable lots - the auctioneer always pointed this out to the room, and you know who always bought the stuff? The best and most successful dealers and collectors.
I know Summer is nearly upon us and long, dark and cold evenings to curl up on the sofa are over, but why not pack a book along with your picnic for the park? It will undoubtedly make you wiser in the long term than an extra bottle of wine or beer will!
It's often amazing what crops up on eBay.de. Earlier this month I found a rather superb Ruscha bull, in the desirable 'Vulcano' glaze. According to Petra & Patrick Folkersma of Outernational, Ruscha made a small number of animals in the 1960s, including an elephant which was the earliest example made. The bull was made in four sizes, and this is the second largest at just over 12.5in (32cm) in length. They are known in a number of glazes produced by the company, but 'Vulcano' is one of the most desirable. All I can say is that if you see one, buy it! They were pretty expensive at the time, and not as useable as a vase. As a result, comparatively few were sold, and very few of these survived due to their fragility. They are moulded in one part, and the protruding horns in particular are very susceptible to damage. Furthermore, as the mould was one piece and complex in form, the liquid clay is often very thin in areas, so the slightest knock can create a hole. Think of an Easter egg! Outernational sell these very rare pieces in a white glaze for over $200, but I think that they have a long way to go value wise. They also break up the monotony of vases and bowls, and look rather magnificent on display. They also follow in the tradition of 'postwar bulls', as a number of potteries across Europe and the UK made stylised examples. Anyway, here he is - sorry if my excitement meant that my camera work is a little shakey!
For those of you who treat buying antiques and collectables somewhat like the stock market, here's something you will be interested in. Today, a large Mdina 'Fish' vase designed by Michael Harris, and also signed by him, sold for a staggering £1,564 on eBay.de! A couple of years ago, this would have probably fetched around £200, and the rise clearly shows the increasing recognition being paid to Harris and his work. Those of you who have read my book will know how rare large 'Fish' vases are, particularly those from the period when Harris ran the company. To find an example that is signed by him is even rarer! I think that the lucky buyer, whoever they are, owns a real treasure of 20thC studio glass. I also think that this is indicative of the price rises that lie ahead as more people reassess his contribution and start to collect. Do we rate this area as a strong BUY? If we do, get in early - you have been warned!
I've just got back from a working and (thankfully, latterly) pleasure weekend in Berlin. The results of my Fat Lava this time hunt were rather surprising! I found one design shop in trendy Mitte where they actually had a selection of Fat Lava on display in their vintage design section. This is the first time I have ever seen a proper display in a shop in Germany. Amazingly, the pieces were generally too expensive for me to buy, ranging from 50 to 90 euros, and upwards. I know this isn't too much all told, but it's more than I am used to paying and more than I am used to seeing them priced at, particularly in Germany. It was interesting to see that the staff was comprised mainly of young people, as were many of the customers. I showed them my bookalogue and asked what they thought of the pots themselves and, for once, got a highly positive response. They loved the wild colours! Maybe the new generation is finally waking up to Fat Lava, perhaps as they don't remember them being so dreadful and indicative of the 1960s and 70s as their parents do. Furthermore, Marita, the lady who sold me a large Fat Lava sgraffito horse vase from her vintage clothing shop off FriedrichStrasse, said that she knew something was going on in the area because two English guys came in two weeks before and bought as much as they could carry! I wonder what they got? However, despite this positivism from the trendier, more avant garde end of the market in Mitte, I did get an utterly horrified gasp when I asked for Fat Lava in the main antiques and collectables centre, 'Why on EARTH would you want that? Do you really think we would sell such things?!'" Honestly, the Luddites.....!
New year's resolutions, and all that, have finally pushed me to scan and post a couple of press articles from 2006 that may interest you. They just go to show how both West German ceramics and Mdina and Isle of Wight Studio Glass are spreading, and generally becoming more notable and noteworthy subjects. Some national newspapers have even taken notice - the Financial Times (below) and Guardian included! If you go to the 'In The Media' page under either Fat Lava or Michael Harris in the menu on the left of my website, or click on those links, you'll be able to see each of them.
Firstly, happy new year to one and all. The first new news of the year is that, at last, Dr Horst Makus' landmark publication 'Keramik der 50er Jahre' (Ceramics of the 1950s) has been re-released. It was last published in 1998 and has become increasingly impossible to find over the last 9 years. My gap-filling copy has just come through from my local book shop, and I would certainly recommend getting hold of one yourselves. It is nothing less than excellent, thoroughly comprehensive and unbelievably good value at $75 or £45. You can find it at the publisher's website - www.arnoldsche.de. Do bear in mind that the text is in German, however - but it is still without doubt a 'must-have'.
On that note, if you don't know about it already, also check out the wonderful book on 1960s-70s West German Ceramics published in the middle of last year by prolific collector and expert M.P. Thomas, in Germany. It is in German again, but still well worth having. After all, a picture speak a thousand words! It also includes a large section on the influential German studio potter Schaffenacker, which is unique in its scope to my knowledge. You can find a link to the author's website by clicking here.
Yes, we can all look on the net to find out what someone thinks something is, and how much they think it is worth, but are they right? At least you know that if it is in a book, it's more likely to be right as considerable research and effort will have gone into preparing a book, which costs a lot of money to produce and can't be changed once it has been printed. How many people put such work into their eBay descriptions? Very few, I'd think. Of course, I'm bound to say this, doing what I do, but it really is true. When I used to work for auction houses, books, catalogues and period advertisements were always some of the least valuable lots - the auctioneer always pointed this out to the room, and you know who always bought the stuff? The best and most successful dealers and collectors. 
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