Auction Alert: Antiques and Interiors – A Two Day Sale

Riihimaki cog glass vase and others

An Antiques and Interiors – A Two Day Sale is to be held by Fieldings Auctioneers in Stourbridge, West Midlands. It takes place on 17th & 18th Aug 2023 from 9:30am. A total of 1,023 lots come under the hammer over the two days:

Day 1: Lots 1-461

• Jewellery 1-220
• Silver 221-288
• Watches 289-320
• Collectables 321-418
• Militaria and Medals 419-441
• Books 442-461

Day 2: Lots 462-1019

• Pottery/Ceramics 462-547
• Watercolour and Oil Paintings 548-586
• Whitefriars Glass 587-611
• Glass 612-951
• Furniture 952-1019

In the main, we’re concentrating on day two and the art glass for sale. In addition to lots containing Whitefriars Glass vases, there’s a large number of original Whitefriars illustrations – rare survivors!

The lot I’d choose to take home? The antique glass bird feeder – it’s exquisite!

Bid in person on the day or online via EasyLiveAuction or The Saleroom (additional fees apply).

We offer a limited packing service within the U.K. only and at the auctioneer’s discretion. For information please contact us. All liabilities are with the buyer. We do not pack or ship any fragile items including pottery, porcelain, glassware, paintings, arms or weaponry.

Loose cut and polished amethyst stones

Lot 105: A parcel lot of loose cut and polished amethyst stones

To include emerald, oval, round and cabochon cut examples, largest 22mm x 15mm x 11mm approximately 19ct. (47)
Estimate: £100 – £150

19th Century soft white marble pestle and mortar

Lot 381: A 19th Century soft white marble pestle and mortar

Turned pine handle, width 29cm.
Estimate: £40 – £60

 

Lot 604: A collection of Whitefriars workshop illustrated working boards

And a prepatory drawing in pencil on paper for Knobbly range vases designed by William Wilson and Harry Dyer, and Ray Annenberg, to include 9842, 9843, 9846, 9609, 9610, 9612, 9608, and 9844, various sizes. (6)
Estimate: £60 -£80

Whitefriars Knobbly range vase designed by William Wilson and Harry Dyer

Lot 635: A Whitefriars Knobbly range vase

Designed by William Wilson and Harry Dyer. Pattern number 9610 in Kingfisher Blue, height 19cm.
Estimate: £30 – £50

Late 18th Century / early 19th Century glass bird feeder

Lot 709: A late 18th Century to early 19th Century glass bird feeder

Possibly Bristol, the spherical top above a tapered ovoid body with applied seed pan, height 13cm.
Estimate: £30 – £50

Goran Warff Kosta sculptural glass candle holder

Lot 754: A later 20th Century Kosta sculptural glass candle holder

Designed by Goran Warff, of ovoid form with a stepped textural upper body, engraved signature and numbered 67513, height 16cm.
Estimate: £30 – £50

Mdina Africa Lollipop bottle vase

Lot 763: A large Mdina Africa Lollipop bottle vase

Of compressed ovoid form with tall tapered and flared neck, decorated internally with patchwork coloured squares in cinnamon, green, yellow and opal, all cased in clear, retains original label, signed to base, height 40cm, together with a similar small dish with frilled rim in the same design, diameter 17cm. (2)
Estimate: £70 – £100

3 teal glass vases

Lot 783: A later 20th Century Dartington Crystal glass vase

Of sleeve form cased in clear crystal over teal and frosted with arched panels to the exterior, height 26cm, together with a Czech pressed glass vase and a blow moulded example with dimple decoration to a graduated blue ground. (3)
Estimate: £80 – £120

Riihimaki cog glass vase and others

Lot 796: A Riihimaki cog glass vase

Designed by Tamara Aladin, of stepped cylinder form all in a ruby ground cased in clear, together with another cog vase in blue and an Alsterfore vase internally decorated in opal and cased in citron, tallest height 28cm. (3)
Estimate: £60 – £80

Oiva Toikka blown and overlaid glass figure of a stylised duck

Lot 836: A contemporary Oiva Toikka blown and overlaid glass figure of a stylised duck

With brown speckled finish, engraved mark ‘O Toikka, Nautajari’, length 20.5cm.
Estimate: £120 – £150

Whitefriars Random Strap vase

Lot 838: A Whitefriars Random Strap vase

Designed by Geoffrey Baxter, pattern number 9799, decorated with Tangerine strapping over Tangerine ground, height 18cm.
Estimate: £80 – £120

A collection of Edwardian and Art Deco scent bottles

Lot 892: A collection of Edwardian and Art Deco scent bottles

To include English cut crystal and Bohemian examples with heavily cut decoration, white metal and silver mounts and large fan form stoppers. (7)
Estimate: £50 – £80

Designer Desire: Tamara Aladin

Collage of Tamara Aladin art glass for Riihimäen Lasi Oy | H is for Home

We’ve had quite a few vases designed by Tamara Aladin over the years. In fact, we have a couple in our web shop at the moment. We’ve mentioned her work in general round-ups before, but never actually given her a post of her own. What I’d love, is to own a collection of them – all different shapes – in the deep green colourway. I’d display them on a windowsill where the sunlight can shine through, showing them off to their best.

Aladin worked for glass manufacturers, Riihimäen Lasi Oy between 1959 and 1976. She produced over 150 designs, mostly for the export market, especially Germany. Her designs include Kehrä (light blue, bottom trio), Kleopatra (red, centre, 2nd from bottom row), Presto, Rondella and Tornado (jade green, left, 3rd from bottom row).

2010 saw the centenary of the Riihimäki company which was commemorated by a book and exhibition at the Finnish Glass Museum.

A Russian speaker, she was once a Finnair flight attendant on the Moscow route where she also acted as interpreter for communications between the pilots and air traffic control. As well as Russian, Aladin spoke English, Swedish and German.

Tamara Aladin still lives in Hamina, 145km east of Helsinki.

There are always examples of her work available to buy on eBay and Etsy.

Portrait of Tamara Aladin with a glass-blowercredit

Additional image credits:

20th Century Glass | Bukowskis | Designlasi | Pinterest

International vintage

International vintage homewares | H is for Home

Our recent acquisitions have a ’round the world’ theme.

Green vintage Riihimäki art glass vase Red vintage Finel enamel mugs

We’ll start with Finland. Vintage glassware fans will recognise the sculptural form and distinctive olive green colour of the Riihimäki vase. These vases look amazing when arranged in groups or rows, highlighting the contrast in shapes and size. And then the enamel mugs – what a gorgeous colour and pattern. They were designed by Kaj Franck for Finel – and are very hard to find in this condition and quantity.

Vintage Italian pottery pin dish Vintage Avon 'Her World' Talc

Next, on to Italy, where this fabulous little pin dish was produced. The hand decorated piece has very eye-catching decoration; she’s a very beautiful and arresting young lady – reminiscent of the work of Modigliani. It’s the perfect little dish for rings or other jewellery. And more pretty girls on this Avon ‘Her World’ Talc. Cosmetic products aren’t something that we normally pick up – but it’s unused with contents intact – and the illustrations are so gorgeous that we couldn’t resist. The label reads “Avon Cosmetics – New York, London, Munchen, Paris, Rome” – a very apt item for our little global product trip!

Vintage Konge tinn pewter napkin rings Vintage green enamel candle holder

These Konge tinn pewter napkin rings hail from Norway. They have a striking and intricate Viking themed design with warriors and ships. They’re very tactile in the hand – keep your dinner guests happy for hours! And last, but not least, a charming vintage enamel candle holder that we’re pretty sure was made in France. We love the delicate ribbed pattern, aged patina and fabulous emerald green colour.

These international vintage products and others will be heading to our web shop soon – click on each item image to find it!

Riihimaen collection

"Riihimäen collection" blog post banner

collection of green vintage Riihimaen glass vases

We often speak of living with things for a while before they reach our shop – and this is a case in point. We steadily added glass vases to the windowsill on our landing over recent years, building up quite a collection. We’ve enjoyed looking at them each time we passed – the natural light enhancing the gorgeous olive green colourway & highlighting the different shapes… but now it’s time to let them go. Here they are pictured sitting atop a 1960s teak bookcase in our Picture House Antiques space – they look great grouped together.

detail of collection of green vintage Riihimaen glass vases

They’re all produced by Finnish glass company Riihimäki in the 1960s. For the sake of accuracy, we should attribute them to Riihimäen Lasi Oy as the company was renamed in the late 1930s, but they’re still often referred to as Riihimäki vases. The company had some very notable designers such as Aimo Okkolin, Timo Sarpaneva, Helena Tynell, Nanny Still, Tamara Aladin and Erkkitapio Siiroinen.

We’ve got them priced up between £15 & £35… and of course we’ve started a new windowsill collection!!