Update::::::::::::::::::: ! :)
Hi ALL. I found out the' pieces are not made by molds and are one of a kinds by an artist named David T. Keyes. It is very hard to find his work because he made stuff in the 70's and 80's and he stopped by around 1991. I have contacted a college where he used to work and am awaiting more information from him about what the pieces' names are. I will add the discussion he and I have to add meat to the bones before I sell them. I love them but became unemployed in May and need the money. I have seen other pieces of his, not quite as good because they were in his beginnings as an artist/potter and they are not as nice, and they range from $125-200 a piece. The fact that I have these 3 pieces which are like a "family" makes them unique as well.
LOT OF 3 VERY UNUSUAL PIECES. THE TALLEST "VASE" HAS A BROKEN ARM THAT HAS BEEN REGLUED. *SEE PHOTO. They appear to be a male, female and a child? The tallest seems to have a male face, the medium a female face and the smallest piece a child's face. These have initials on the bottoms which say, "SLH, JCJ, and/or TAP": The smallest only has 2 sets of stamped initials. There is a small one which looks like a perfume decanter, a medium rounded one and a tall one. They ALL have 2 faces. The small perfume one has 2 faces and 2 birds, like a heron. *The stopper of the bottle has a star which is raised and small in the porcelain.
Re: Please help! What are these? Handmade? Porcelain with 2...
I have no idea who made these. I tried to find something but havent been able to.
They are art nouveau style and made from molds so there are more somewhere. :) Just because you cant find anything online does not mean they are rare. Trust me.
If you want your post seen just bump it up by posting on the original post. You dont need to repost it. Most people on here go to the comments first.
Good luck.
Re: Please help! What are these? Handmade? Porcelain with 2...
Hi. I found out they are not made by molds and are one of a kinds by an artist named David T. Keyes. It is very hard to find his work because he made stuff in the 70's and 80's and he stopped by around 1991. I have contacted a college where he used to work and am awaiting more information from him about what the pieces' names are. I will add the discussion he and I have to add meat to the bones before I sell them. I love them but became unemployed in May and need the money. I have seen other pieces of his, not quite as good because they were in his beginnings as an artist/potter and they are not as nice, and they range from $125-200 a piece. The fact that I have these 3 pieces which are like a "family" makes them unique as well. I'll keep everybody posted. :) Thank you kindly for your response.
Re: Please help! What are these? Handmade? Porcelain with 2...
https://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=4188&aid=40691&lid=10802685
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=david+keyes+pottery
http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/d.t.keys-figural-drinking-cups-252-c-7ac41664a7
Not sure if you can see the realized price for the group of 5 pieces on Artfact w/o registering, it was $50.00.
Tacoma Art Pottery , TAP. Never would have figured that out ! lol If I was that talented it would have my entire name on it.
Re: Please help! What are these? Handmade? Porcelain with 2...
Hey Kathy! I could have done an Irish Jig last night at 1am when I (FINALLY!) found it was David T. Keyes, let me just tell you! Boy was I excited!
I looked at your hyperllinks above. I saw the eBay listings last night but hadn't seen the other one. I did register and it said the "unrealized registered price was $50" but they "could be worth more". (Hopefully!)
If I had the money, I'd buy those other pieces in a molecule of a millisecond! What a great collection I could start! (Poverty sigh...)
My pieces are his nicest, I think... The smallest has two faces and when you see them up very close, you can notice the intricacies of Mr. Keyes hand-craftsmanship. What an eye and imagination this man has!
I so hope he reaches out to me! I feel like I have found my pieces "Father" in an odd way.
I agree, if I had his talent, I'd have signed my name very prettily into the bottom of each piece!
This piece sold last year for $200 and isn't as nice as mine but it is very cool: https://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=4188&aid=40691&lid=10802686
**Let me know what u think. :)
Re: Please help! What are these? Handmade? Porcelain with 2...
Wow this has me totally intrigued ! Found this site, not sure if its updated or not but they have "David Keyes -ceramics" listed as an artist. :)
Maybe they can lead you in the right direction to contact him ?
http://www.northwestcraftcenter.com/North%20West%20CraftCenter.html
Re: Please help! What are these? Handmade? Porcelain with 2...
"Keyes Minas Contemporary Craft Gallery". The store closed in 1994 after David Keyes and Barbara Minas, split.
After looking at some of his things with his name carved in them do you think yours are by him or some other potter at TAP? I cant find a website for TAP at all. Rather confusing ! :/ I keep seeing "Funk Pottery" mentioned too.
Look at this ebay listing, on the photos of the pig you can see what I mean.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/David-Keyes-FUNK-Studio-Pottery-Figural-Mug-with-Pig-Head-Northwest-NW-WA-/290652710934?nma=true&si=IjDf05dGg53rlvD8FgBa9pCu%2FBE%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Re: Please help! What are these? Handmade? Porcelain with 2...
http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/david-keyes-porcelain-cup-zlqf3ivsky-0-m-797d40282d
Just saw that this item has a paper lable. Apprently he moved around to different studios too. Wonder if he is still alive?
Re: Please help! What are these? Handmade? Porcelain with 2...
Hey. I saw the website link you sent before but it appears to be null at this time. :(
There is a museum in Tacoma I was told to contact but it is open from Wed-Sun. Figures.
I am on a mission to know more... Thanks for riding this wave with me. :)
Re: Please help! What are these? Handmade? Porcelain with 2...
I researched David Keyes and found out he wrote a book avout Etruscan Cinerary Urns. I think my "perfume bottle" is a piece of art made from the inspiration of an Etruscan Cinerary Urn!
Re: Please help! What are these? Handmade? Porcelain with 2...
Probably. His style changed over the years like most artists. I guess to keep up with trends etc. The style of yours is timeless though. Some of his stuff is totally off the wall ! LOL
Re: Please help! What are these? Handmade? Porcelain with 2...
I agree. I love the lot of 5 cups. So far, outside of my pieces they are my favs. The "altar" was odd but unique and the rhino guy was pretty neat. I have the feelers out and I hope he responds back to me. I hope he is still alive. His daughter is alive, has a Masters Degree and works with a politician whose name I have forgotten. She was born in 1969. I thought that was around when he was born. In a week or 2 I may reach out to her about these pieces as she managed the family's unique gallery and from what I read online, she has an amazing memory.