Vintage Thingies Thursday 11/5
My Vintage Thingie is something I bought at a flea market probably 20 years ago. At the time, I fell in love with it because it was so unique and different from anything I had ever seen as far as pottery. 
I paid somewhere around $25 dollars for it and that was a splurge for something so unusual and weird, but I had to have it. Except for some chipping glaze, it was in great condition then but now it shows the ravages of time (or in other words the ravages of hanging around me~ I dropped a ceramic snowman on it one Christmas time and cracked the base.) I felt so bad. It adds character or so I tell myself. 
It stands about a foot tall and is about a foot wide. The bird is some sort of water fowl. One of my friends once told me what kind of bird it was but I can’t remember the name. I can’t find anything like it in the bird field guides, so if anyone knows I would love the info. 
This piece is signed, W. Sewell with the word Zena underneath the name. There is a carving of a womans face and a glaze insignia of what looks like a tree on the bottom of it. I have no idea when it was made or where it was made. I only know I think it is very cool! 
So there is my Thingie for this Thursday. Visit Colorado Lady to see other interesting Vintage Thingies.
Have a great day!
A flower’s appeal is in its contradictions – so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect. ~Adabella Radici
November 5th, 2009 at: 12:29 am
It made me think of the Ugly Duckling. The body looks like a duck, the neck like a swan, and the bill like I don’t know what.
November 5th, 2009 at: 3:05 am
I agree Teresa. A few chips and cracks just adds to the allure. Pristine things have their place but I prefer things a little cracked, rusty, whatever. The water foul plaque is cute and kind of enigmatic.
November 5th, 2009 at: 5:28 am
How very odd, I haven’t ever seen anything like it. I love the glaze.
November 5th, 2009 at: 6:43 am
I LOVE it – - – that blue base with the fish engraved in it is GREAT.
I’m not sure what kind of bird it is, but my first thought was a Grebe. Now I see what the other girls have suggested and that does make me wonder if it’s supposed to be a young swan – - – but I think I’m sticking with Grebe.
November 5th, 2009 at: 6:59 am
This is most unusual. It looks like a black swan to me, but I am not sure. Glad you gave it a good home, and a little bumps and bruises does not hurt a thing. Have a great VTT and a wonderful weekend.
November 5th, 2009 at: 7:39 am
Hi Teresa, it is cool, whatever it is. I like the primitive swan idea. Out of the hundreds of doodads we have collected and inherited over the years, I don’t think there is a single item without a booboo. Too many moves, too many kids and that horrid job of dusting. I have broken more things dusting them, dropping them or knocking them over, than any other way. I am off dusting now and forever.
Frances
November 5th, 2009 at: 9:53 am
Now that’s an interesting piece. I am lucky to have this neighbor, a young Russian woman who had a full ride to NYU in the Arts. She’s brilliant and she has such an eye for pieces and where they came from.
Not me, of course. I’m simpler and whatever looks pretty is valuable to me. But when I find something, I can always count on her to give me the rundown on it.
Hope that, by listing this post, somebody will be able to help you on some information on this piece. Thanks for sharing.
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November 5th, 2009 at: 10:38 am
I love birds – I just bought a (new) little bird to put under a tree outside – but this is fabulous with tons of character!
November 5th, 2009 at: 10:58 am
hmmm….definitely a mystery. do you even have an idea of how old it is?
November 5th, 2009 at: 11:10 am
A very unusual piece. I have never seen one like it before. Just keep it and one day you will run across something that will tell you the history of it. It makes for a great vintage day showing.
November 5th, 2009 at: 12:59 pm
I love it..no matter what type it is…,it’s very,very pretty.
Knowing the maker might answer a question,but still,it’s a lovely piece. Happy VTT, have a wonderful weekend.
November 5th, 2009 at: 1:29 pm
At first I thought it was a carving. Definitely an unusual ceramic piece.
November 5th, 2009 at: 5:27 pm
What an unusual bird! Very intriguing, with the markings on the bottom too. I love mysteries like this! He or she looks rather primitive. Well, until we solve this puzzler, I’ll just say that I can see what drew you to it, because it’s very pretty, especially with that great blue base. I hope someone can solve this!
Happy VTT!
Carol
November 5th, 2009 at: 10:15 pm
This is such a strange and interesting piece, it has quite captured my imagination! I actually quickly looked throught an on line book at the English and American pottery marks, but I found nothing except that there were potters named Sewell in England. the marks strike me as being 20th century, but what do I know, lol.
Kathy
November 5th, 2009 at: 10:27 pm
I am glad you all like my bird. He is different to be sure! I found that potter also Kathy and I agree with you about the age too. I just haven’t been able to find anything else and this does not look like that potters work. Half the fun is wondering I guess. Thanks for your interest!
November 6th, 2009 at: 1:18 pm
Looks like a coot. And it’s wonderful!
Thanks for sharing. B : )
http://bleemcguire.blogspot.com
November 6th, 2009 at: 11:34 pm
Like your vintage thingie. I particularly like the turquoise color on its base and the white feathers on the back of the duck?, swan?. I can’t help with the ID.