This week, I posted two items from Aurea Carter’s stock in the Showcase. As I did so, I recalled my time in London this February, when Aurea took me as her guest to the Morley College Ceramics Circle’s monthly meeting. The lecture was on porcelain figures, but I am always on the lookout for links between pottery and porcelain figures and the evening didn’t disappoint. Admittedly I was probably the youngest member of the audience, but the lecture was excellent, the room was packed, and collectors were interested and enthusiastic. Roger Massey, the lecturer, brought along a porcelain figure that was a dead look alike of the Neale pottery figure representing Winter. Sitting two rows in front of me were two little old ladies, and one had a pottery figure in front of her. The figure was small and anything-but- grand, yet it beckoned as Roger talked. In fact, it was quite distracting because there was something about it that made me want to pick it up SO badly. I just knew it would fit into my hand perfectly and warm to my touch. When the lecture was over, I pounced. One of the ladies explained that she and her friend had collected forever and they liked loaning each other items from their collections. They had brought along three pieces, including a nice version of the London barber…but I loved the simple little figure portraying Winter.
The lady who owned the figure said she had no family and was at a very advanced age so she wanted to put my name under the figure! I was very embarrassed and hastily told her that she should do nothing but enjoy her figure forever. And I hope she does. As Aurea and I drove home across the Thames on Westminster Bridge, a great evening packed with little surprises delivered one last punch: a picture postcard view of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, all lit up.
In 1777, Samuel Johnson said “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” I have been to London umpteen times, have yet to run out of things I want to do, and never fail to find a ceramics surprise along the way.
In 1777, Samuel Johnson said “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” I have been to London umpteen times, have yet to run out of things I want to do, and never fail to find a ceramics surprise along the way.
