QUESTIONS FROM OUR WEBSITE: BOWLED OVER
As committed (or is that “should be committed”?) CAS
Collectors know, when it comes to Ceramic Arts items, “it’s not always
figural”. Planters, bowls, vases,
mini-pitchers, and other such containers were also part of the Studio’s sales
inventory. Here are two website inquiries on that topic:
Dear CAS Collectors:
I always thought Ceramic Arts Studio just made figurines, but
yesterday, I ran across a piece with the CAS stamp marked “Bonita Stripe”. It’s
a black swirl planter, with a pink stripe in four different areas on the swirl.
The pink is raised (textured), and the black is smooth. Where’s the figurine? Am
I missing something?
Worried
Dear Worried:
No, you’re not missing anything. The Bonita Stripe Planter is a
stand-alone piece. In addition to the figurines CAS is best known for, the
Studio also made a limited number of vases and planters.
The Bonita Stripe Bowl was designed by CAS principal
designer, Betty Harrington, and released in 1955, the last year of the Studio’s
operation. Its current estimated value is $75-95. There’s also a Bonita
Bowl which has a mottled finish rather than the stripes, and is worth about
half that. The mottled Bonita looks especially nice when displayed with
the similarly-decorated African Man & Woman Plaques.
Betty Harrington commented at one time that the Bonitas, while visually appealing, were not very
practical. If enough water is placed in one to keep a cut flower healthy, water
sometimes leaks over the flat edge. However, they are certainly nice to look
at!
Dear CAS Collectors:
I volunteer in a museum, and we recently received a number of
items from a family estate. One was a pink Space Bowl by Ceramic Arts
Studio. It’s even got the CAS “C”! What can you tell me about it?
Museum Miss
Dear Miss M:
Like the Bonita Bowl, the Space Bowl was
designed by Betty Harrington, and dates from 1955, the Studio’s last year.
Although collectible on its own, the Space Bowl was originally intended
to be displayed with the complementary Stylized Rooster figurines as a
three-piece console set. By itself, the Space Bowl is valued at
$100-125.
For your reference, the “C” is not always an indicator of a
Ceramic Arts Studio piece. It just means “copyright”. Thanks for writing!
For answers to your CAS-related questions, just send them
to Donald-Brian Johnson’s attention on our club website: http://www.cascollectors.com/. With luck, he’ll even be able to come up
with the correct solutions!