mad hatter and majolica

Love is the magician 

that pulls man out of his own hat.

Ben Hecht

I'm crazy about hats. I found this fabulous "Mad Hatter" at Gee-Dub (that's my local Goodwill store) on my weekly Friday visit. It's black leather, with a red feather on the side, and looks to be from the late 60s/early 70s. My doppelganger, Johnny Depp, would be proud of it's perfect quirkiness. Props are part of my particular idiom.

Lurking with the glassware, waiting to be discovered, was this lovely little Majolica decanter for $1.99.  It appears to be fairly old, judging from the bottom, and in perfect condition.  What kind of fruit is it?  I don't know. It's a mystery. But I like it, nonetheless.

Victorian Majolica was originated by Mintons Ltd, who exhibited it at the Great Exhibition of 1851 under the name "Palissy Ware". The debt to the eccentric 16th century potter Bernard Palissy is obvious from its naturalistic plant and animal motifs molded in relief and splashed with bold color and clear glazes.  Many late 19th-century majolica designs had rustic motifs with backgrounds of basketry and wooden-bound buckets decorated with molded flowers, birds, fish and animals. Handles were made like rustic tree branches, rose stems and twined flowers and leaves.

PS-- Don't forget my new chapbook is available for pre-order.  I have an advance sales period of approximately six weeks, before the pressrun is determined.  So, if you are interested in purchasing a copy, it would help me tremendously if you would pre-order a copy now.  Click the book image on my sidebar or the link below.  Thanks so much for your invaluable support, my friends. You're the best.

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