What do I collect?

People often ask what I save for my own collection, and honestly it has changed month to month. For the longest time, I was holding on to everything with an African animal on it … I had planned to do a plate wall with a central theme of a large platter with an elephant. But times change, and I’m more open to sharing the treasures I find, rather than putting them on my own shelf.

But lately, as I look with a hard eye at what to keep, I find myself focusing on the rare or obscure. Just a few weeks ago I found a platter mis-attributed to William Adams. It was, instead, made by Benjamin Adams who only created two designs in his pottery. William Adams had more than 380 patterns .. .Mr. B. Adams has 2. There’s something about that level of rarity that I find very interesting.

If it’s unmarked, if it is a curious puzzle for attribution, if it’s unique … those are the pieces I tend to keep. The good news is that a much broader swath of transferware will be making its way into my shop for you.

Each of the pieces that do arrive in my shop for your consideration are lovely, unique in their own right, and perfect for display or use. And if you are looking for something specific, please do reach out. As I begin to catalogue more for the shop, there could be your dream plate in the stack right in front of me.