QUESTIONS FROM OUR WEBSITE
There’s always something new to be found in the CAS world
— and this question focuses on one of the latest entries!
Dear CAS Collectors:
I just love Ceramic
Arts figurines, particularly those with a religious theme, although there don’t
seem to be many of them! I have most of the “Angels,” various renditions of “St
Francis,” and several “Madonnas.” They all have such
a peaceful look that is so appealing.
Recently, I acquired a
CAS figure marked “Rebekah.” Evidently, there’s a “Well” that goes along with
her, but other collectors have told me I don’t have a prayer of finding one.
What gives?
Ina Church
Dear Ina:
Well, your collector friends may be on the right track. Rebekah’s
Well is so rare that it’s one of the few CAS pieces not shown in our
book Ceramic Arts Studio: The Legacy of Betty Harrington.
The reason is simple: very few were made. Rebekah’s
debut came in 1955, along with that of her companion figure, Isaac, and
the Well. The Studio closed later that year, but Rebekah, Isaac
and the Well had disappeared from production before the Studio doors
slammed shut. In early 1955, Studio owner Reuben Sand attended the New York
Gift Show, and returned to
As for the Well, it is possible to find one very
occasionally, although it’s usually mis-labeled as a “planter.” That’s probably
a good use for it, as the Well is actually an
open-top rectangle, about 3” wide by 5” long, and 4” high. The surface design
mimics 3-dimensional stacked “rocks.” If you’re lucky enough to find one, it
might set you back several hundred dollars. Of course, Rebekah will be
forever grateful—she’s been lugging that empty jug around for decades!
And with that, the drawstrings are pulled tight on this
issue’s “CAS Mailbag.” For answers to your CAS-related questions, just send
them to Donald-Brian Johnson’s attention at: donaldbrian@msn.com. Hopefully, he
may even be able to come up with the correct solutions!