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[Saturday, May 15, 2004 Decorative Arts Ecanada Art Pottery is attracting new collectors This Hamilton pottery sold by Eatons and Birks Inspired by Wedgwood, loved by Canadians Objects of Design CONRAD BIERNACKI I've spent most of my acquisitive life focused on English, European and American antiques and collectibles. Since they were the first ones I studied, they were the first ones I collected. But what about Canadiana? I never paid much attention to Canadian ceramics, glass, silver or furniture since Canada was never an important centre for decorative arts production. Our country lacked the market, skilled labour force and wealth to support much sophisticated design. During the 19th and early 20th centuries Canada's political, cultural and economic links were with England. We traded our raw materials for manufactured goods from Europe, the United States and Japan. So any production of decorative arts in Canada is, by definition, quite rare and special. And as I've become more aware of this, my appreciation of Canadian-made items has increased. It's an area of collecting that now has my interest. I'm sure you'll find it intriguing, too. At first glance, you might think the two vases shown here were made by the British firm of Wedgwood. They're blue stoneware with applied white relief decoration and have an unglazed matt surface. Actually, the vases were made in Hamilton, Ontario, by the Ecanada (pronounced "E" Canada) Art Pottery. Although these items look like Wedgwood jasperware, they're a bit heavier, less finely detailed, and the relief decoration is not as elegant. But they're made in Canada. And that makes up for all the differences. |