Posted 11 years ago
TheIbbit
(17 items)
Finally getting around to researching this very nice pottery lamp I found a couple weeks ago at a thrift store. It strikes me as being vintage, since the "lamp holder" (as the bulb socket is labelled) is marked "LEVITON", along with "Made in USA" and "250W 250V"!?!? The lamp stands about 15 inches tall to top of bulb socket, and is about 7 inches at its widest point. I am most interested in whether anyone can identify the potter's mark that is shown in the last picture next to where the cord comes out of the lamp. This seems to be a popular spot to put a mark with mid century makers in the 1900's? Can anyone help me identify the maker?
Glad I can be of some assistance in your inquiry. I know exactly who made your item, as I have a small syrup jug made in the exact same pattern. What you have is a very beautiful vintage ceramic piece made by Emerson Creek Pottery in Bedford, VA; most likely circa 1985, give or take a few years. It's been converted into a lamp by some crafy soul, or it may have been made as a lamp base originally. I'm not sure if E.C. did lamps, but I know they made many many jugs and various vessels in this gorgeous lily pattern. If you ever decided to remove the felt at the bottom, you would find their hand-printed name under it. It isn't very old, very rare, or very valuable, but it IS very beautiful and in my opinion this kind of workmanship will only appreciate over time as our modern market becomes increasingly overtaken by articles made with the primary purpose of bringing the lowest price to a growing population of cash-strapped consumers upon the shelves of Wal-Mart. Enjoy your lovely find!
Oops, It seems that you tried to remove the felt...sorry. Looks like the area where the piece would be signed is MIA! One other little tidbit of info, the impressed mark in your piece is also used by Emerson Creek Pottery. I imagine if you do an internet search or one on eBay of their name along with "lily", you will find several pieces that you could match with your lamp should you be so inclined.
Cheers!
Many thanks for your feedback, JennysTreehouse! I am familiar with ECP, since I have several pieces of theirs in my pottery collection, but I don't recall ever seeing that impressed mark. I'll have to look for the ones I have to see if I missed that in the past, since most were clearly stamped with "Emerson Creek Pottery". BTW, the felt on the bottom was in that condition when I found it, but now has fallen off as I removed it from the closet and I see no other marks that would help identify it. However, it was clearly made to be a lamp base, so now I will do some more research. Thanks, again, for pointing me in some direction! ;o)))