Thursday, June 7, 2012

...'Mrs. B.'

I don't think I mentioned last Fall, on my birthday, our old Ukranian neighborhood lost one of it's matriarchs - 'Mrs. B.'.  Her name had Way.Too.Many c-z-y-ski's for any of us to pronounce,( and after all of her years in the U.S. her deep accent was still so strong that we couldn't pronounce her name properly if we tried) so she was ever known as 'Mrs. B'
 Her sons have been cleaning out her house, the home they grew up in, and are having an estate sale this Saturday. M is in charge, and the sweetheart that he is, has been inviting neighbors over for early previews (WOO HOO!).  I really didn't know what to expect.  Mrs. B. was a 'no-frills',gruff old homebody type, always out in her 'spotless'gardens, with a babooshka around her head - a cane in one hand and clippers in the other! OH, but she did have a weak spot for PINK FLAMINGOS of all things!! NO other lawn ornaments or decorations...
  My main hope was to find something as a remembrance of her...  what it was going to be, I 'really' didn't know!
UNTIL I walked into the dining room, and then I KNEW!  There sat several Ukranian Easter Eggs - similiar to the PYSANKY EGG that I painted - THAT'S IT!!!
Of course, you KNOW that I didn't get out of there with just a couple of GORGEOUS eggs! There was that elegant glass candelabra, and jadeite batter bowl, and halloween blow-mold, and... a LARGE EGG?!?

 I spotted this piece of pottery on the floor in the corner, on the floor over by the TV, and it was L.O.V.E. at first site.  Don't ask me why.  I think it looks like a LARGE EGG.  J thinks it looks like an abstract turkey or duck. Whatever.  I have been trying to research it.  The only thing I have to go by is the impressed marks 'St. Joseph' 'BC?' and 'CARTIER' that I was able to get by doing a rubbing of the bottom...  I think it is a piece of Beauceware Pottery of Quebec.  The thing I don't know is what the shape is or what it was for?!! (Kinda scarey how much most of the Beauceware line looks like HAEGER!!)

Any ideas?  Anyone???

I did pick up a lawn Pink Flamingo... just 'cause, along with a few old soda crate with great patina and the only 'bling' to be found anywhere - a crystal doorknob!

3 comments:

Shara said...

Here's your exact dish: http://pages.infinit.net/cerame/

The translation is: Pot "Gourmet" models C-50F. Design of John Cartier, 1970. Museum of history and Quebec ceramic. Gift of Mr. Daniel Banged.

But, that still doesn't answer what it is FOR, does it???

WAIT! Here it is again: http://www.canadiandesignresource.ca/officialgallery/ceramics/cartier-clay-cooker-2/ Says it is a Clay Cooker.

Does that help at all? I really don't know what a Clay Cooker is other than a pot! :)

Nice memories of your neighbor. I've never seen coke crates like those - good finds!

Anonymous said...

You seemed to pick exactly each piece that would indeed have lasting memories of a good neighbor. I think it's great you found a piece of pottery there too.

Sheryl

Pam said...

Sue, I think that pot is a clay pot meant for cooking in the oven - but, not positive. I LOVE THE EGGS!!! The patterns are absolutely gorgeous... The crystal doorknobs are a great find also...

Another thought - some of the older pottery is painted with lead paints,Not good for current use, but - this is such a cool pot to have for decoration....

Sounds like you had a great day!

Pam