Now to the watch in the otherwise-gaping hole. This watch holder has a larger than normal opening--a full 2 inches, thus bigger than the size 18S watch that seems to be eBay's largest offering. A brilliant and very kind friend came to the rescue. He found a very old watch dial that was 2" across. I think dials this size date from the earlier decades of the 19th century. Anyway, the dial fits flush across the opening and looks just perfect.
If you are burned out on watch holders, please hang in a while longer. I want you to see this watch holder, which, like John Howard's example (blogged last week) originates from Yorkshire. This watch holder is impressed with the mark of Dixon Austin & Co, a mark dating the piece to 1820-1826. The Dixon Austin pot bank is known for its lustre wares, but it also produced this particular watch holder in Pratt colors. Of course, pink luster is much prettier! Some of these watch holders have a finial atop, but this example was not made that way. There is a chip on the base, but that's it. The really beautiful lustring combined with vivid enamels makes this so eye catching. Now to the watch in the otherwise-gaping hole. This watch holder has a larger than normal opening--a full 2 inches, thus bigger than the size 18S watch that seems to be eBay's largest offering. A brilliant and very kind friend came to the rescue. He found a very old watch dial that was 2" across. I think dials this size date from the earlier decades of the 19th century. Anyway, the dial fits flush across the opening and looks just perfect. You can see the Dixon Austin & Co mark impressed on the front center of the base. Unusually in-your-face for a pottery mark, is it not? Notice the holes to either side of the mark. These, I believe, allowed you to screw the watch holder to a mantle. That way, it couldn't tip over. So if you find an antique surface with two holes in it just a little bit apart, you will know what once stood there! On a totally different topic: I am finicky about arranging my collection. Everything has to stand next to something that complements it. Lighting has to be perfect, and nothing is ever two-deep on my shelves. The one place where no rules apply is in my very utilitarian office. Three monitors face me for much of my day. No pottery? This was too harsh. So I stuck some shelves on the wall ahead of me, and pottery rotates on and off those shelves, with no thought to arrangement. Something new, something I am thinking about or writing about, or something I just want to look at...this is a great way to be always enjoying the thrill of my collection. The little leopards I bought from John Howard--blogged about last month--have arrived. Here they are, placed on one of those shelves, and on either side of the spill vase from the same pot bank. I have declared the chest in our entrance another 'rotational spot'. Each week, I put something different on it. My collection gives me endless pleasure, and I know yours must do the same for you.
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January 2025
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