Our week that was: Hafod, harvest and new shop stock

Our week that was blog post banner

This weekly round-up is very tardy; partly because we’ve been unusually busy on the socialising front. We went out for food and drinks twice in a week – practically unheard of for us these days!

We had a rare “carers’ break”; Nerys, our dog sitter, came over for a few hours, so we took the opportunity to go for a quiet coffee and drive into Aberystwyth town for a mooch and spot of shopping.

Hafod

We arrived at the restaurant of the Hafod Hotel in Devil’s Bridge as they were opening their doors, so we headed for the comfy, mustard-coloured armchairs next to the fire. That turned out to be a great plan, as the Rheidol steam train arrived mere minutes later and scores of passengers disembarked and made their way straight down the hill to the Hafod.

We started with a couple of coffees followed by fish & chips for Justin and Welsh rarebit for me. The food was delicious – as were the coffees. The staff were friendly and very efficient – effortlessly coping with the sudden onslaught of customers.

Justin sitting on the sofa in the Hafod Hotel restaurant

Coffee at Hafod Hotel restaurant Fish & chips at Hafod Hotel restaurant

Harvest

We’ve finally dug up our first crop of potatoes; we don’t know the variety, as we were given the seed potatoes by our neighbour months ago, and he couldn’t remember what type they were. We just chitted and planted them, then waited until we thought the plants were at the right stage for us to pull them up and dig down for spuds!

Our runner bean plants were also given to us by another very generous neighbour – they’ve been profuse, so I’m planning on canning the beans or using them to make a pickle or chutney.

Harvest of runner beans and potatoes from our garden

New shop stock

A few, new things have been listed in our online shop and our eBay account this past week, with more planned for next week. As always, if you see anything you like, get in touch. Also, if you’re looking for anything in particular, let us know and we can keep our eyes out on your behalf.

New H is for Home stock

Vintage shaving cloths

Vintage 1950s linen barber shaving cloths

We bought these vintage shaving cloths this week. Kept in traditional barbers, they were used for wiping cut-throat razors.

Vintage 1950s Irish linen barber shaving cloth made by Dunmoy Vintage 1950s linen barber shaving cloth with inscription: This is the cloth To wipe the blade To spare the towel To save the money To pay for the house That you built.

We thought they were fabulous – each having wonderful graphic illustrations featuring facial hair in its myriad of forms… and in one case, a little verse extolling the money-saving virtues of razor cloths over towels.

Vintage 1950s linen barber shaving cloth Vintage 1950s Irish linen barber shaving cloth made by Dunmoy. The Fitz Razor Line

These vintage shaving cloths are made of linen and date from the 1950s/60s era.

Vintage 1950s linen barber razor cloths

Having dealt with vintage homewares for many years, endless linen items from Northern Ireland have passed through our hands – manufacturers such as Dunmoy and Ulster Weavers. In addition to tea towels and place mats, it seems that razor cloths were also part of their massive output.

Vintage 1950s linen barber razor cloths

We thought that they had lots of potential as wall decoration in a vintage styled barbers or hairdressers… or would be equally at home in a domestic bathroom. They could be suspended from a row of small hooks – or perhaps, better still, simply framed and hung – singly or perhaps in small groups.

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

Auction alert: Troika

TROIKA AZTEC DOUBLE SIDED FACE MASK

An online studio pottery auction is currently underway. The sale, Troika subtitled, “A remarkable single-owner collection of Troika Pottery”, ends on 23rd July 2023 at 6pm.

We’ve covered Troika on our blog in the past, we’re longstanding fans of the pottery. This sale includes many rare and special pieces (such as the Aztec face masks) by artists such as Alison Brigden, Penny Black and Avril Bennet. There are 47 lots in total, we’ve highlighted just a few of them below.

Absentee and live bids can be placed via the Elstob & Elstob website at no additional charge. However, there’s a buyer’s premium of 25% (ex. VAT).

Elstob & Elstob’s sales are also available to bid on via the following online platforms (please note the additional charges on top of the buyer’s premium):

PENNY BLACK FOR TROIKA POTTERY, AN AZTEC DOUBLE SIDED FACE MASK

Lot 2004: PENNY BLACK FOR TROIKA POTTERY, AN AZTEC DOUBLE SIDED FACE MASK

Decorated in shades of brown, blue, white and green, painted mark. 25.5cm high, 19cm wide. Tiny fleck of paint loss but in otherwise good condition without chips, cracks or restoration.
Estimate: £300 – £400

TROIKA POTTERY DRUM BOWL

Lot 2009: A TROIKA POTTERY DRUM BOWL

Decorated with a geometric pattern in shades of blue and brown, painted marks. 16cm diameter. No chips, cracks or restoration. In very good condition.
Estimate: £40 – £60

ALISON BRIGDEN FOR TROIKA, A CORNISH TIN MINE LAMP BASE

Lot 2029: ALISON BRIGDEN FOR TROIKA, A CORNISH TIN MINE LAMP BASE

Decorated with a green, blue and brown glaze, painted marks. 21cm high. No chips, cracks or restoration. In excellent condition.
Estimate: £300 – £500

ALISON BRIGDEN FOR TROIKA POTTERY, A CHIMNEY VASE

Lot 2034: ALISON BRIGDEN FOR TROIKA POTTERY, A CHIMNEY VASE

Decorated in shades of blue and brown, painted marks. 19cm high. No chips, cracks or restoration. In excellent condition.
Estimate: £150 – £250

Pair of Troika ashtrays

Lot 2035: TWO TROIKA POTTERY ASHTRAYS

The first white-glazed by Anne Lewis, the second brown-glazed by Avril Bennett. (2) 12cm square. No chips, cracks or restoration. In excellent condition.
Estimate: £100 – £150

TROIKA AZTEC DOUBLE SIDED FACE MASK

Lot 2040: A TROIKA AZTEC DOUBLE SIDED FACE MASK

Decorator’s mark indistinct (possibly Annette Walters), decorated in shades of blue, green, brown and white, painted marks. 25.5cm high, 19cm wide. No chips, cracks or restoration. In excellent condition.
Estimate: £300 – £400

ANNE JONES FOR TROIKA POTTERY, A LARGE FOOTED CUBE PLANTER

Lot 2043: ANNE JONES FOR TROIKA POTTERY, A LARGE FOOTED CUBE PLANTER

Decorated in shades of blue, brown and white, painted marks. 17.5cm high, 14cm wide. No chips, cracks or restoration. In excellent condition.
Estimate: £100 – £150