Monday, March 21, 2011

mad hatter and majolica

Love is the magician 
that pulls man out of his own hat.

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.


64 comments:

  1. You do know your hats! Love the majolica...excellent find.

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  2. Nifty hat, I must say. The decanter is..well, what kind of a fruit is that?

    P.

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  3. I don't know! It's olive green. Maybe an olive?

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  4. To love wearing hats one has to look good in them! I'm short and stubby so I look like a walking mushroom! But I can still admire! You look great!

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  5. Girl, you ROCK that hat! You do.

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  6. That looks like the sort of hat Tom Petty might wear, complete with feather. And the majolica is wonderful. I was thinking it might be useful for olive oil.

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  7. both the hat and majolica are fabulous :)

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  8. Tess,

    1) Love the 'Gee-Dub' abbreviation.

    2) Forget Johnny Depp's quirks -- this might inspire a Bob Fosse routine.

    Trulyfool

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  9. I love the hat! I ordered my copy of Patina today. I am super excited. Once I get it, can I mail it to you and will you sign it for me? I know it is a long way off but when it arrives it will be one of this special treats.

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  10. I am grammar challenged today. One of those special treats was what I was trying to say...

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  11. That hat is sooo you! I think this may be a giant olive. I read all about the chapbook this morning, and pre-ordered mine right away. I have been busy today thinking of birthday and Christmas presents, so I may go ahead and pre-order a few more! Spring will be here in about 30 minutes (it's already spring in the EDT zone), so I know Christmas will certainly sneak up on me!

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  12. What a wonderful hat! I just have to go out thrifting sometime....It looks like soo much fun! :)

    And hats are totally awesome; I agree. I'm totally in love with my fedora!

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  13. Kristen, yes, I'd love to sign a copy for you. I wish the set up with Finishing Line made it a little easier for authors to sign copies. I'll have to figure something out.

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  14. You certainly have a very good and thrifty Goodwill store. Ours is extremely overpriced...the little bud vases you get at the grocery to plop a rose in are $5.99..can you believe it..they are higher than Macy's! I love the decanter!

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  15. FireLight, it must be a giant olive. Since their are no olives growing in my neck of the woods, I didn't readily recognize it! And thanks so much for your book order. Yes! Think Christmas and birthdays!

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  16. That is the hat which decided which house the kids went into at Hogwarts - "SLITHERIN!"

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  17. You look mahvelous in that hat!

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  18. Nope. Definitely Hogwarts. You look very jaunty in your new hat, Ms. Poetess. And you rightly deserve a feather in your cap. A great find to be sure! I love it.

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  19. I am diggin' this hat. You have THE best goodwill store ever.

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  20. The hat does look good on you. I wonder of the Marjolica. The first I’ve seen. Now I’m off to learn more.

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  21. Very becoming !
    Couldn't guess at the Majolica, but it's a lovely piece.
    Can't wait for your poetry publication to arrive ;)
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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  22. I'm Definitely ordering my copy!

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  23. Oh baby, you do something for that hat
    or maybe it does something for you.
    Some women cannot wear hats.
    You and Audrey Hepburn can pull
    it off flawless. As to PATINA, like
    other willowites, I leaped onto your
    link like a tom cat on a rodent, and
    stroked pay pal, and pre-ordered my
    copy, standing in line, on line, waiting.
    Maybe we will just have to mail our copy
    back to Dublin to get the autograph,
    unless you come up with some other
    plan? I love it when a plan comes
    together--George Peppard,
    THE A TEAM.

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  24. Kim, thank you so much for your order!

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  25. Glenn, Audrey...George...now I'm craving Breakfast at Tiffany's! Seriously, though, thanks for ordering my book. x

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  26. willow -- oh you look so "Londonish" in your leather hat. Your majolica is lovely and a nice collector's item.-- barbara

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  27. You do find the most amazing stuff at GW. I wish you'd come out here and teach me how --

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  28. Wow ~ you have one awesome Goodwill shop around your corner. The hat is amazing ~ imagine how hard it would be to find that hat if you actually looking for it, rather than just discovering it? Mostly, they are the best of shopping joys, I reckon.

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  29. I love hats on women...think the practice of wearing should be revived
    Went into a hat store this week, and just stood there marveling at the sight...

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  30. That picture . . . you . . . in that hat . . . sizzzzzzzzles! Pure (shhh, I'm whispering) sex!

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  31. I ordered your book! I hope it won't be a problem to get it sent over here!

    The fruit looks like a green persimmon! :-)'

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  32. I know only one other person with your thrift store talent, my friend D. on Cape Cod. Where there are fabulous thrift stores by the by.

    I am off to order your book toot sweet. cant wait to read it.

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  33. Oh my goodness your GW is the BEST! That hat is fabulous and looks GREAT on you! Love the decanter. I think it must be an olive.

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  34. What a gorgeous photograph of you, and you wear that hat with great dash!

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  35. Congrats on the book just ordered one. The best way to learn is from the best. Can't wait to get it.
    QMM

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  36. Tess, don't get confused with Slash. Make sure your eyes are visible!!

    I'd say the decanter is a green plum. And I like your hair.

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  37. Absolutely LOVE the hat, and it looks so good on you.

    The Majolica decanter kind of looks like a pear to me, but only slightly. And you got it for two bucks? I need to visit your GW store!

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  38. Tulsa, Suki and QMM, thank you SO much for ordering my book. Your kind support means so much. xx

    Tulsa, I think the overseas shipping is around $3.49 or so.

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  39. Gaston Studio, it was a steal at $1.99. It was in such pristine condition, I'm sure they thought it was new, but I could see from the bottom of the piece, the patina (love that word) on the unglazed clay, that it was very old.

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  40. Clever Pup, okay I'm such a nerd, I don't know who Slash is. :P

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  41. Oh how I could use that hat. You may have to come to an Alice in Wonderland tea I'm planning. Just put my order in for the book. At long last - to have and to hold!

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  42. Done, I ordered my copy. I just wish it were signed by my dear Willow...sigh. And look at you wearing Steampunk fashion! It looks wonderful on you my dear. I love hats. I am always in search of the perfect bowler myself.

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  43. Tess, Love the hat - but there again you knew I would didn't you.

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  44. Ha, fabulous finds. Where will you wear your new hat? My daughter looks great in hats and collected them when she was little, me - not so much. Ordered your book yesterday :)

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  45. Leslie, an Alice in Wonderland Tea sounds so delightful! Thanks so much for ordering my book, dear friend. x

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  46. A return of Bob Fosse is not a bad idea, but NEVER forget Johnny Depp! :) My son covets the hat and if you ever tire of it, would like you to mail it to him. He will kindly offer you double for the hat! :)

    Check out my blog post of today - you might be interested in the happenings at the blog "Book of Kells".

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  47. Dammmit--I wish all 1,665 of your 'followers' would order...make beautiful small Christmas gifts...A reminder--grin!

    Saw a beautifully adorned face under a great white hat--all lookin' GOOD! All I did was comment and WHAM, the 'person' I was with slammed me aside the head. So I said, "Guess you won't want a hat for Easter, huh?" (Another WHAM!)

    Vase looks like one-of-a-kind- or part of a pair? VErrry nice, Tess.

    PEACE!
    Steve E

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  48. Majolica find! Awesome! Your hat is cool- Hats are fun ...for about five mintues- that is about the lifetime of one on my head- but you can wear them - and well! You most certainly could be a successful hat model.

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  49. You'll have to stage a production like you did as kids with that hat! You could play all sorts of good roles with that. I'm excited for the book to come out--it will be a nice surprise when it arrives later this year. You must be excited!

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  50. you look so darling in that hat....

    so HAPPY to see you today, my friend and happy to stop by

    i have missed you...

    sending love,
    kary and teddy
    xxx

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  51. Love the hat, Tess! You look so great in it!

    Sarah
    TheWeatheredWord.blogspot.com

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  52. Hi! Willow...
    I like your "Johnny Deppish" type hat!... You are wearing it well...(The Hat!)
    By the way,
    What a bargain (a Majolica decanter for a $1.99) that can lead to big buck?!? Who know?!?
    Majolica
    Thanks, for that re-link to your doppelganger.
    DeeDee ;-D

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  53. Disclaimer:
    Willow, I didn't link to this company in order for you to do business with them...I only linked to them in order for you, to compare your decanter with
    their item(s).

    Because I don't know anything about this company. I just found them a few minutes ago while doing some online surfing. Your best bet is to seek out a reputable(Sp) Mojolica dealer, that you feel comfortable with in order to get a quote or appraisal.

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  54. Thanks, for the majolica link, DeeDee! I'll hop over and take a peek...

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  55. How delightful! Thanks for your comment on my post.

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  56. Why yes, I would love for you to sign my copy?

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  57. That hat is amazing!! Don't you love thrifting? But if you're like me, it's ruined you for blah retail; I haven't been to the mall in years.

    Cheers!
    Kelly

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  58. Kelly, I haven't been to a mall in years, either. Yep. Ruined.

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  59. The decanter could be a Majolica vessel meant to carry olive oil, back in the Olde Country, Naples region. ;-)

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  60. Merisi, I think you hit the nail on the head, QED.

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  61. You suit hats. You suit everything.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)