Expert: Leisha Hiester - 6/6/2010

Question
QUESTION: I recently purchased this winsome ceramic bowl and know nothing about it, despite my best amateur efforts. The bowl is about 3.75" tall and a 5" diameter at its widest. The mark, an image of which I am attaching, looks to me like a W sitting on a square, or three turrets rising from a castle. (The picture was taken with the bowl upside down.) Could you please tell me more about who may have made this object?

Thanks,
Dan Wiseman

ANSWER: Dear Dan,
Where did you purchase it? Is it old? It appears to possibly be a modern potter. If that is the case you'd need to do some research locally where you purchased it. A good start is the local potters guild or even the local supplier to potters. If you can tell me where you're located, I'll point you to one. Let me know. Glad to help if I can.

Leisha

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for your response.  It was bought at an estate sale in Austin, Texas, where I live.  However, the previous owner spent most of his life in the Midwest US, though his psychiatric practice took him all over the world. (At the same sale, I picked up a bronze bust by the British artist Arnold Auerbach--by the way, if you know of anyone looking for a bronze bust . . .).
I suppose that is too wide a field to hunt this bowl down. At any rate, I think it's a nice-looking one, and I'm attaching a photo just in case.
Thank you again for your advice. I won't neglect to give the appropriate entirely positive feedback.

Best regards,
Dam

Answer
Dear Dan,
Congratulations on some great finds. I love estate sales. You might try contacting;

Armadillo Clay and Supplies      512-385-7311
3307 E. Fourth St.
Austin, TX 78702
E-mail: catalogue@armadilloclay.com
Website: www.armadilloclay.com

Often local suppliers are aware of local potters and their marks. They may be able to direct you to a local potters guild or other source which may lead to someone knowing this mark. It's worth a shot.

Leisha