Rorstrand Polka dish

I have a few things for sale on eBay this week, including this nice Rorstrand dish.

The design is called Polka.

Ally Pally finds

It was the giant Ally Pally antique fair this morning. I was quite restrained and only bought these three things!

small blue Rorstrand jug

Figgjo Maya sauce boat

Apple ice bucket

New piece of Rorstrand

I haven't been out and about doing much buying recently as all of our time has been occupied in trying (and so far failing) to buy a flat. I know I should also be trying to concentrate on selling rather than buying things as the thought of packing up to move house is already making me panic slightly.

Anyway, despite good intentions I have made another purchase, but as its an addition to my Rorstrand collection I thought I should make an exception.

This is also a pattern 'Fructus' that I have never seen before. Very exciting. Here it is..

I bought it from a shop called Odyssey Twentieth Century in Camden Passage. Worth a visit if you like mid-century ceramics, glass and homewares.

New Rorstrand dish

Here is a picture of my latest ebay purchase - another addition to my Rorstrand collection. This is a shape and pattern I hadn't seen before. It's called 'Canaria'.

There was no designer identified on www.svenskt-porslin.net , which is my usual reference source for Scandinavian ceramics:

But interestingly it shows the same dish as mine so maybe this pattern was only used on this shape.

Our new chair

We have just installed our new, vintage Swedese Lamino chair which we recently bought at auction. Although it was more that I originally intended to pay it was definitely worth it, as it is amazingly comfortable as well as very stylish. The only problem now is working out whose turn it is to sit in it, we are considering a rota...

Another piece of Rorstrand

I bought this cup and saucer in the 'Eden' pattern a few weeks ago from Marjoriedoo, a vintage clothes shop in Coventry.

It's one of my favourite Rorstrand patterns and a Marianne Westmann design. I also have a ceramic 'pencil' cheese board from the same range, though its been languishing in a box since I moved to this flat as our crumbly walls our not good for hanging heavy ceramics on.

Rorstrand 'Grape' plate

I was very pleased to pick up this example of Rorstrand pottery for my collection on ebay recently. Its not in the best condition as it has a fair bit of crazing and is pretty badly stained in a few patches. But I love the fruity design called 'Grape' which isn't one I have seen before. It reminds me of Marianne Westman's work but none of the websites I have looked at lists it as one of hers.

Swedish textiles

I picked up this interesting tea towel at a recent market. Its made by the Swedish company Lagerhaus. There are some other great designs available on their website.

Rorstrand Pomona tray

I have recently acquired a lovely new addition to my Rorstrand collection. It's a large tray decorated with the Pomona pattern, designed by Marianne Westmann in 1956. I first saw one of these in a very expensive antique shop in Malmo and have coveted one ever since. It has now replaced the large Picknick tray that previously had top spot on the Ercol shelves.

More items for vintage market

Here are a few more items I have found which I will be selling at the North London Vintage Market in Crouch End on Saturday..

Carter tile which has been made into a pot stand or trivet. I love this Daisy flower pattern, its very 1960s! I have also seen the design on a fabric by Moygashel.

Nice stainless steel toast rack made by Old Hall and designed by Robert Welch - a classic.

Unusual stainless steel strainer made by Rostrfitt of Sweden. Nice smooth wooden handle.






Large salad bowl in the Fiesta range by Barker Bros. Very 1950s design of stylised utensils. These are often monochrome in just a bluey grey colour. This one has colour decoration.

T G Green ceramic storage jar with an unusual swirly blue pattern.

New items for sale on Ebay

After a long break from selling for Christmas and New Year, I have listed my first items of 2011, including a nice retro 1950s Foley dish found in York, a Denby 'Arabesque' lidded pot bought in Highgate, some Viners cutlery and a lovely Picknick egg cup which I was very tempted to keep for myself.

Here are some photos...



Foley Pin dish with design by Maureen Tanner 'The Gay Nineties'



Denby mini tureen 'Arabesque'

Rorstrand egg cup 'Picknick' by Marianne Westmann

Viners 'Studio' forks designed by Gerald Benney

New fishy Picknick pot

I was very pleased to find this new addition to my collection of Rorstrand Picknick ceramics. It differs in shape from the fruit and veg pots and has a fish design outlined in black over a thick blue band in the middle with further bands at the top and bottom. But it has the same distinctive lid and the fish motif also appears on the large Picknick tray..

Picknick pot

Here are some photos of one of my favourite Rorstrand Picknick ceramic items - a jam pot decorated with slices of lemons. I bought it with a broken lid which my conservator friend Katie has kindly glued back in place.