Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Juice tumblers?

Who knew? When I first saw these Frankoma brown satin pieces, I thought they were demitasse cups and a coffee pot. I guess that's a pretty common error, because when I started to do my due diligence on them, several dealers had them listed that way too. I was having a problem figuring out why the "coffee pot" didn't have an indentation for a lid, but now it makes sense. It's a juice pitcher.

I'm still not sure whether these are Plainsman or Lazybones pieces, because I've seen them listed both ways. If you're a Frankoma expert, I'd appreciate more information about them. Whatever they are, I really like them, and I have a feeling someone will come into the store and like them too...whether they use them for juice or coffee.

#260 juice pitcher and six #260C juice tumblers
When we picked these up, we were also able to get a small bowl and pitcher set, as well as what looks like a platter to me but is listed as a pie baker. As you can see, I have a lot to learn about Frankoma.

#40A pitcher and #40B bowl
#91 large baking dish or pie baker

9 comments:

  1. I just inherited some frankoma peices. I feel a bit guilty that I don't really care for them and I know they are kind of a big deal to some collectors. Im still trying to make up my mind to keep them or not. I know next to nothing about frankoma.

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  2. @JessicaLeAnne: I'm not crazy about Frankoma pieces with the scalloped edges...like the pitcher and bowl...but I know some people are avid collectors. What I like about the juice tumblers is that they don't look like typical Frankoma to me. They look more modern. (Sorry, collectors.I know that's heresy to you.)

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  3. I love Frankoma for the colors and finishes as well as the fact that it's old, but I'm pretty picky about what I buy. I don't know the names of any of it, but I do like the "Aztec" looking stuff and the less embellished stuff. I do have a pretty big collection going.

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  4. @Mr.M: I think the colors and glazes are very interesting, and there are some really clean-lined pieces that I like, but there's something about Frankoma that has always seemed a little schizoid to me. In the middle of a line with cool sleek, biomorphic shapes, they'd stick in a ruffly pitcher and bowl like the one in my post, which makes no sense to me. Still, since it was made in Oklahoma and I'm in North Texas, there's lots of it around, and there are lots of avid collectors here, so I really need to educate myself about it.

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  5. Very nice examples. Not much of a fan but when I was a kid my mom took me to the Frankoma factory to buy some pieces (I think the kind she had were bright orange) so it's fun to read your post on it.

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  6. @DearHelenHartman: Apparently none of us are really huge fans, so I'm wondering why Frankoma was so popular back in the day. Back then, everyone I knew owned the stuff and loved it. Since there are collectors in the area who still do, I'm sure we'll carry a few select pieces in our store from time to time. But I'll probably sell the pitcher/bowl set on eBay, because it just doesn't have the modern look we want displayed there. Still, I think the juice tumblers are interesting, so they'll probably go in the store.

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  7. My favorite pieces of Frankoma are the atomic modern red candle holders. I rarely see red glazed pottery in my area. In looking at this set my first thought was espresso cups, but, since there is no lid on the pitcher, this thought doesn't make sense. Then I noticed the handles on the cups are different than the pitcher. Even though the glaze is the same, perhaps the pitcher is a water/tea/juice pitcher?

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  8. @Krazy4Mod: I guess that's what bugs me about Frankoma...that much of it doesn't make sense to me.

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  9. i remember seeing a similar set in a local thrift store...but was not sure if they were really vintage...love these pieces

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