Vintage Cottage, Part I: 60's Denby and Three Little Skunks!

I spent the first part of August away from the internet, up at the family cottages (a.k.a. Camp)... but that doesn't mean I've been neglecting this blog! While I was up in cottage country, I took lots of pictures of some of the gorgeous vintage items which are enjoyed by my extended family each summer. For the most part, the cottages were furnished and decorated in the 50's, 60's and 70's; what a treasure trove!

This "Vintage Cottage" miniseries will consist of two or three posts; this one features some lovely pieces by Denby and three adorable skunk figurines.

First, a Denby accent mug which I believe to be from the 60's:

Next, a stunning coffee set in my favourite Denby pattern, "Studio", which was made from 1961 until 1974 (love this pattern? I try to keep my Etsy shop stocked with it):

And finally, three adorable little skunk figurines (two of which appear to have been beheaded and - thankfully - lovingly repaired).  I don't know who made them, but one eBay seller thinks a very similar skunk might be 1950's California pottery, perhaps by Rio Hondo or Walker.  Indeed, the skunks do bear some resemblance to these Rio Hondo skunks.  Anyway, here they are:

Next time: Pyrex, Arcoroc France and more!

Ode to Vintage Pottery

As this is my first post, I thought it should in some way introduce the theme of the blog.  As this blog is a sort of ode to vintage style (metaphorically at least), I thought it would be appropriate to write about Ode, a beautiful stoneware pattern which was made by Denby in the 60's and 70's.

Ode was based on the shapes which Kenneth Clark developed for the original Gourmet line (introduced by Denby in 1957).  Ode, designed by the celebrated Glyn Colledge, was decorated with a sgraffito Greek Key pattern and glazed in antique gold (often referred to as "mustard yellow").  The interiors of the cups and bowls were glazed in a bright white.

My sources don't seem to agree on this pattern's date of introduction.  According to the Denby website, it was introduced in the 50's; according to "Denby Pottery 1908-1997", it was introduced in the early 60's. 

This is a truly gorgeous pattern, and the gently curving shapes make these pieces a joy to hold.  At the California State Fair, Ode won a Gold Medal for Excellence.

 Two mugs and saucers, for sale in my Etsy shop.

12.5" Oval Platter, available from AtomicAlley on Etsy

Two cups and an open sugar bowl, available in my Etsy shop.

For more pictures of this gorgeous pattern, I recommend visting Retro Pottery Net, where Ray Garrod has posted some beautiful photographs of casseroles, a gravy boat and a cup and saucer set.



Sources:
Denby History
Hopwood, Irene & Gordon. Denby Pottery 1809-1997. Somerset: Richard Dennis, 1997.