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My Top 10 Ceramic Figurines
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All this talk about Mother's Day has me reflecting on the tchotchke-collecting gene. I got it from my mom and she from her parents (both her mother and father had vastly different tastes). While pining away for my grandparents' house and all the long-gone the curios therein, I studied up on the art and science of collecting ceramic figurines. Here's my personal Top 10 List...

Old Standby:
therunnybunny has some classics that give you such a strong sense of nostalgia, it's almost hypnotizing (and this owl couple is only $15):


Vintage clowns are always there, peeking out at you around every corner of every vintage shop. They're old friends:

ModishVintage $14.75

Sensuality:
You wouldn't think you would find your sensuality-totem in a camel, and yet here we are...

DagaDesign $54.00

Abstraction:
I didn't even know what this one is supposed to be at first, because it is elemental.

nightlydeity $5 

Slightly Primitive Precariousness:

Delicately, quietly...

Runningrabbitpottery $35

Functionality:
I need a fat lil piggybank. Yes, I do.

KelasBabyBoutique

At first I thought I'd put this mouse under the above category, but then realized its awkwardness is due to its function: ring-holder/extravagant mutant tail holder:

OliveVintage $8 (I'm buying this.)


Solice for your Desperation:


creativelo $14

Fear:
See also the bear at the top.

fruitflypie $14

Give me links to your favorite ceramic figurines in the comments below! Email to your tchotchke-addicted friends!



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tags Tags ceramics, collectables, humor, tchotchke, Top 10 Lists
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17 comments     Login to add your own!

May 6, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. art2theextreme

Here are some of my ceramic figures!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Very cool selection! Thanks for sharing!

May 6, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. Mimi1013

Great idea for an article! I love vintage ceramic figurines and have postcards of some available in my shop.

May 6, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. ArgyleWhale

http://flickr.com/photos/justinandeli...
I have a thing for the tchotchkes myself. I made this installation a few years ago and still have boxes of peculiar blue figurines.

May 6, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. Judalina

My friends at Strantiques.etsy.com got me into Etsy. I absolutely love their owl fetish:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

May 6, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. Schmutzerland

Im extremely partial to human heads on animal bodies visa vera.

here is one that is just darling!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

May 6, 2008 at 11:10 p.m. AirportRoad

That clown is scary. But then, ALL clowns are scary.

May 6, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. Vanessa

Ooo strantiques has some good stuff! My grandmother had a thing for owls. My grandfather had a thing for those monkey see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil guys. I'm looking for something like that.

And Melabo is one of my favorites. My fiance and I got this as the cake topper for our upcoming nuptials: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
It was the first thing we bought for the wedding. Turns out now, knee deep in the planning, we can't afford to get a cake! At least we have an amazing and weird cake topper!

May 7, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. BlackStarBeads

I have a herd of buffalo, bear, fish and dinosaurs on the desk, above the computer that were my husband's when he was a kid- all vintage.
I've seen great ones on Etsy. If you're looking for vintage ones and can't find it on your own, try the EtsyVintage site. We have a section for buyers:
http://etsyvintage.ning.com/forum/top...

May 7, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. cozyblue

i loooove the polar bear!
and runnybunny is one of my favorites!
thanks :)

May 7, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. Vanessa

OK, last minute addition to the "Fear" subheading: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

May 7, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. paperfacets

I collect pottery too! Thank you for the choices. I picked scary guppie. So everyone you're too late, it's gone!

May 7, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. madebymilla

I make these:
ceramic:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=...
and plaster:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=...
in my other identity...

May 9, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. Art2ArtColorado

I am so glad to see that people appreciate the ceramics of days gone by... sure brings up good memories of things...

*my Dad ran a ceramic shop in Steamboat Spgs. when i was growing up beyond his "real" job as the superintendent of a mine.

*many good memories were made in that community during the long & cold winter months as people gathered weekly to clean greenware, glaze, etc. and i loved having the opportunity to learn how to pour & fire with my pops.

*thanks!

May 15, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. ScribbleNation

OMG I am in love with the bear and the Hug Me Kitty - Mostly the Hug Me kitty.

June 5, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. DistressingDelilah

Gorgeous display..love the elf and the hug me kitty!

July 1, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. CraftCarousel

Thanks for the connection to The BookNook-I bought the issue of Ceramics Monthly shown from 1988-should be an interesting read! My husband makes handmade contemporary stoneware tile and lighting-I think he'll like this-if you like handmade ceramics-check out his site at www.mod-craft.com
thanks! Mary

Aug. 21, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. BeauMaris

I have always enjoyed a great piggy bank, and this Personalized Yellow Flower Piggy Bank shouldn't be limited to the very young, only the young at heart. It's too cute!

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