Rare Egersund pot?

Has anyone seen this before? I found this gorgeous Egersund teapot this weekend, but forgot to include it in Sunday's post. I haven't seen either the pattern or the shape before. The shape is very geometric and modernist. The design of the lid is a beautiful combination of functionality and form. I find it really hard to date, there are some elements of earlier modernism, however, I think the 60s is a safer bet. I didn't see this pattern and shape or anything similar at the Egersund fayance museum, but I think I'll send them an e- mail to enquire about it, they must have some kind of documentation. I'm so curious! I'll be sure to let you know if I get some answers. The stamp below might mean something to someone? If you recognize it, do tell!

I'm so intrigued by Egersund pottery. Being founded in 1847, they've been around 100 years longer than the two other famous potteries in the region, Figgjo and Stavangerflint (both companies started in the 1940s), and "cover" a longer span of design history, including art nouveau and art deco, which were both amazing periods. Egersund has an rich history of shipping, which, in turn, led to periods of affluence. The Egersund fayance museum has some enormous art nouveau vases that, I imagine, must come from some wealthy shipowners' homes. The history of Stavangerflint and Figgjo is very different, but no less interesting, they've been suppliers of everyday objects to the post- war households.

This Saturday, I'll be going away for Easter. I'm not sure if I'll have internet access, there just might be some "radio silence"! In the meantime, enjoy the holidays, happy Easter!

A great gift

Only one piece today, so you'll get it from all angles:-) I feel so fortunate to own my grandmother's Folklore set, designed 1970- 75 by Turi Gramstad Oliver for Figgjo, have a look here. My gran used it every day, so obviously it's full of fond memories! It's a great pattern too, very cheerful and whimsical with amazing colors. The pieces show scenes from what looks like great al fresco summer meals, with people in folkloric costumes that I don't necessarily recognize as norwegian. Some of the pieces have proverbs that rhyme, with a "frame" of petals.

The other day my mother in law surprised me with this beautiful herring jar that she found in the cellar and had long forgotten about. Needless to say, I was thrilled! It has the same shape as the sugar jar, but is much bigger. The sugar jar only has flowers on it, this one has those whimsical people figures all around it, as well as flowers in bloom.

The text makes sense in norwegian, but is really hard to translate. Without the rhyme, it's rather pointless... I'll give it a go; "Herring in many ways, to the hostess' praise". That turned out rather stupid, I don't know if it makes sense, but it gives you an idea.

A bit of flirting going on...

 Finally, a snap with two of my other pieces to give you an idea of the size.

Thriftin' weekend

I found some great pieces this weekend. It's funny, it was one of those weekends when you think not much will happen, thrifting wise, but then it turns out to be quite the opposite. Even at my oldest son's soccer game in a neighbouring city, I stumbled upon a thift store when I went to get some take away coffee with some of the other parents.

I think my favorite finds in this post are the two pieces of orange and brown pottery. Believe it or not, I actually didn't notice before I got home what a perfect pair they make! The bowl is a Scheurich, the vase is made by Ekeby, Sweden. I don't know a great deal about swedish pottery, but I've seen a lot of pieces marked Uppsala Ekeby, there might have been a merger of two companies at some point. Pieces og information will be greatly appreciated! Anyway, I really love them, the colors are magnificent, as is both texture and pattern. 

 

I really love Arabia Ruska. It's so rustic and the texture, the gorgeous effect of the different shades of brown and the almost metallic surface, is amazing. I was so thrilled when I found this large serving plate and lidded dish. I guess most of you already know the facts about this great Ulla Procope- design, but it never seizes to amaze me that it was designed as early as  during her time with Arabia from 1948- 68. If I didn't know, I would easily have guessed the 70s. Does anyone know the exact year? It was, deservingly, in production for a long time, I'm guessing much due to it's modern and rustic appeal.

I lived in Belgium for a period of time back in the 80s. I was in my mid- teens and had the greatest time there. I still have a soft spot for anything Belgian. I remember Marbell Stone Art Belgium, my mom bought a couple of pieces before we moved back to Norway. They're made of sandstone and have a lovely porous surface. The pieces very from figurative to abstract, I prefer the abstract ones, they have a bit of a modernist vibe. There's very little to be found on the web about the company, I wonder if they're still at it? Does anyone know? I instantly fell for this one when I saw her in the window of a local thrift, she's a bit "Henry Moore- ish", isn't she gorgeous?

I found two more great Scheurich pieces. The light brown one is in a pattern called "Koralle" (Coral). I managed to dig up from the web that it was designed in the 60s by A. Seide. The color has a little bit of a greenish yellow mixed with the brown, it's quite an appealing color, but a bit too peculiar to blend in with other browns easily. It looks good with the reds, though. The new red one is really shiny, and has found it's place with my other red- themed Scheurich pieces and my 60s red ceramic lamp. I don't yet  know the name of this pattern, but I'll keep digging.

I found a Haldensleben piece that I already have, but couldn't leave behind. It's one of my favorite WG pieces, and what if it'll break one day... My husband now calls me the hamster, I wonder why?

Finally, I found this really cute little Stavangerflint sugar bowl in sea green and cream. I don't know what this pattern is called, if anyone of you out there knows, please drop me a line! I'm quite sure it must be early 60s or 50s, the shape resembles their earlier production. I love the delicate leaf pattern!

A few kitchen snaps... and a couple of thrifts!

Yay- finally all the boxes are empty and all my things have found their places in my new kitchen. And my conclusion is- there is leftover space for new thrifts! I'm not sure if that's my husband's conclusion, though...
So this is how it looks like now. I'm so pleased with the large wall of cupboards where the fridge, microwave, freezer and other kitchen machinery is hidden behind gorgeous teak. My ceiling lamp is back in place. I had set my eyes on a new black one, but we needed some instant light, and when the old one was up, it didn't look half bad. I think I'll hang on to it for a while longer.

 

I got a new String shelf up to display some vintage treasures. Sadly, they don't come in teak anymore, but walnut looks very close after having been exposed to sunlight for a while. The number 7 chair in the image above was originally the darkest greyish brown walnut, now the color is almost exactly the same as the teak cabinets behind it. 

Ok, I still have kids who spill stuff from time to time, hence the tablecloth... There's teak underneath it. I dream of a Carrara marble top tulip table... This is the table where everything takes place, meals, homework and hobbies. Now you can see where the Wiinblad wall plaques went! I'm balancing them with some black and more rustic pieces, as they tend to look a bit cute. I've always been scared of "cute". As a child, I hated pink. A bit on the dark and gloomy side already then...

I did a little bit of thrifting this weekend, though I was sooo disappointed when two of my favorite stores were closed... I did however do a couple of bargains. I found the Stelton creamer and sugar bowl set to go with my coffee pot. We got the pot almost 20 years ago. It was designed by Erik Magnussen in 1977, and is still a best seller all over Scandinavia, and I'm sure pretty much everywhere else too. I've always loved Stelton for the simplicity and sharp lines. Their designs are both modern and timeless.

In this corner are also the Muuto salt and pepper grinders that I got from my sister, a tray and cutting board from Formverket and a vintage teak cheeseboard. Instead of letting the switches and plugs blend in with the walls, I chose to go the opposite way and let them go with the black theme.

 

I also found a small Stavangerflint Sera dish, designed by Inger Waage. It's small, only 15 cm long, perfect for small biscuits or chocolates. This pattern is so shiny, it's a bit hard to photograph. I tend to fall for black and brown things, and this combines both! How great is the Stelton strictness paired with that gorgeous Sera pattern?

 

 

I was so happy to find the West German "little brother" of a planter from a previous thrift haul, with a pattern from the 70s (I think! Correct me if anyone knows for sure!) that I REALLY love. It's quite small, so I guess it will be a challenge to find a plastic pot that fits inside it...

 

 

I also found a large Arabia Teema salad bowl in a rich chocolate brown. The Teema range is also one of those great simple designs that never really dates. Designed by Heikki Orvola and Kaj Franck in 1952, it's still looking very clean and modern.

  

Finally, a real treasure! We got this from my mother in law recently, it's the plate my husband used daily as a child. It's one of those great children's sets from the 60s, and I think this pattern is SO cute. It's "Venner" (Friends) from Stavangerflint, designed by Gro Pedersen Claussen. I haven't been able to find the exact year it was designed, but it must have been some time during the 60s. My childhood sets are still in my parent's house. They're also Stavangerflint from the 60s in a different design, I'll show you some time!