Crazy4Me - The Modern Bombshell Lifestyle by: Yasmina Greco
Vintage Fashion, Mid-Century Modern, Collectibles, and Everything in Between
I am having a grand time enjoying my vintage mermaid and fish collection. These pictures are some of my collection I wanted to share with you. 1950s mermaids are so fabulously retro and kitschy that I am completely obsessed with them and have spent years scouring antique shops, flea markets, estate sales and online market places for the hopes of finding one of these rare sirens of the sea.
It all started with Margaret DeForest back in 1950. Margaret’s hobby was pottery and she turned it into a business in 1950 – 1970. The DeForest of California company was located in Duarte, California. DeForest’s most collectible items today are anthropomorphic, whimsical and fun Veggie pottery pieces, Pig jars that have their comical saying ”Go Ahead and Make a Pig of Yourself”, DeForest Onion series, DeForest Mustache Man condiment Jars, DeForest Pickle Condiment Jars and Salt and Pepper Shakers, DeForest Serving items, DeForest BBQ items or DeForest Bar-B-Cutie, DeForest Condiment jars, DeForest Canisters, DeForest Tureens, DeForest Salt and Pepper Shakers, DeForest Banks, DeForest Vintage Mermaid and Fish Wall Plaques, DeForest Chips and Dip sets, and DeForest Platters. Some of the rarer and harder to find items are the DeForest Wall Pockets, DeForest Cylinder shaped jars, DeForest Ponytail Girl, DeForest Little King Jar and the DeForest Halo Boy Jar. Values for the harder to find items currently range $700 and upwards of $1,500. Keep your eyes open for some vintage DeForest of California pottery collectibles as they not only will brighten your kitchens and dining rooms but they are increasing in value too!! Lots of the photos in this post are from this amazing DeForest collection on Flickr so visit here for more. CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE.
To all collectors of ceramic Mermaids, Seahorses and Fish, boy you are in for a real treat with this book by Arleen Smith – Ceramic Fish, Mermaids & Seahorses: Bathroom Decorations of the 1940s & 1950s. I have not come across another book like this one that particularly focuses on vintage 1940s – 1950s bathroom ceramics. The author introduces you to the “Ceramic Potters” of yester-year like Bradley Exclusives, Josef Originals, Ceramicraft, Kay Finch, Deforest, Freeman-McFarlin, Lefton, Napco, PY, Enesco, Norcrest, Napco, Joty, Gilner, Holt Howard and the Made In Japan imports. The book was published by Schiffer back in 2001 but don’t for one moment think it is out-dated as it has 128 pages full of photos, information and values. OK, value wise the book is a touch out-dated but from researching these kitschy sea collectibles in today’s 2010 market, I can tell you that their value and appeal is skyrocketing!
Ceramic Fish, Mermaids & Seahorses: Bathroom Decorations of the 1940s & 1950s shows the reader the many beautifully crafted Mermaids, Fish, and Seahorses complete with bubbles. You get to see the differences in the crafting styles of the many artists during the 1940s-1950s and also see the differences between the Japan made pieces. Yes, the Mermaids are beautiful Vixen Sirens of the sea and the Seahorses are a Magical Mystical creature some with rhinestone eyes and Fish made from chalkware to such highly detailed, painted and stylized pieces that you are left in awe! For details about this amazing book please visit HERE to get yours!