
Hedwig “Hedi” Schoop
One of the most talented (and imitated) artists working in California in the 1940s and 1950s was Hedwig “Hedi” Schoop (1906-1996). She designed and modeled almost every piece in her line. In 1933, Hedi Schoop fled Nazi Germany with her husband, composer Friedrich Hollander, and immigrated to Hollywood, Calif. Schoop amused herself by creating figural plaster dolls dressed in fashions of the day. Upon successfully showing them at the Barker Brothers department store in Los Angeles, Schoop switched to the more permanent slip-cast ceramic medium and opened a small Hollywood studio where she produced and sold her creations.
In 1940, shortly after a move to larger quarters, Schoop began calling her business “Hedi Schoop Art Creations”; it would remain under that name throughout the life of the business. Schoop’s company employed more than 50 workers turned out as many as 30,000 pieces per year in the late 1940s.Hedi Schoop’s creations are often figures caught in motion – with arms extended, skirts aflutter, heads bowed – and serve a purpose in addition to decoration. She designed shapely women with skirts that flared out to create bowls and women with arms over their heads holding planters. She also produced charming, bulky-looking women with thick arms and legs. When TV lamps became popular, Schoop used her talents to create them in the form of roosters, Art Deco Tragedy and Comedy masks, and elegant women in various poses.
One of the most talented (and imitated) artists working in California in the 1940s and 1950s was Hedwig “Hedi” Schoop (1906-1996). She designed and modeled almost every piece in her line. In 1933, Hedi Schoop fled Nazi Germany with her husband, composer Friedrich Hollander, and immigrated to Hollywood, Calif. Schoop amused herself by creating figural plaster dolls dressed in fashions of the day. Upon successfully showing them at the Barker Brothers department store in Los Angeles, Schoop switched to the more permanent slip-cast ceramic medium and opened a small Hollywood studio where she produced and sold her creations.
In 1940, shortly after a move to larger quarters, Schoop began calling her business “Hedi Schoop Art Creations”; it would remain under that name throughout the life of the business. Schoop’s company employed more than 50 workers turned out as many as 30,000 pieces per year in the late 1940s.Hedi Schoop’s creations are often figures caught in motion – with arms extended, skirts aflutter, heads bowed – and serve a purpose in addition to decoration. She designed shapely women with skirts that flared out to create bowls and women with arms over their heads holding planters. She also produced charming, bulky-looking women with thick arms and legs. When TV lamps became popular, Schoop used her talents to create them in the form of roosters, Art Deco Tragedy and Comedy masks, and elegant women in various poses.
Vernon Kilns "Casa California Hermosa" by Gale Turnbull
Gale Turnbull studied in Paris under Guerin, Preissig, and Lasar. Leaving France, he arrived in Los Angeles about 1936 and began work as Art Director at Vernon Kilns.
“Organdie” was designed by artist Turnbull. It was the first plaid pattern produced by Vernonware, and the other plaids - Tam O'Shanter and Gingham were inspired by this original design. The Organdie pattern was produced between 1937 and 1958. A quote from a vintage advertisement enthusiastically called the Tam O’Shanter design “fresh as Highland Heather …and warm as a Scottish brogue!” Casa California Hermosa pattern, designed by Gale Turnbull (hence the "T" in the pattern number), is hand painted and very scarce. The pattern is called T-631 and it's one of a collection of hand-painted floral patterns in a collection Gale Turnbulll called "Casa California Hermosa". |
Vernon Ware by Metlox
San Fernando Gold
It's Soooo 1970's Southern California, it could easly be the dinnerware for the Hotel California. The Vernon Ware "San Fernando Gold" pattern showcases an Old California Mission style. Two toned base glaze of brown & gold, highlighted with deep brown scalloped edges. A Spanish wrought-iron filigree graces the rim.
Available now.
San Fernando Gold
It's Soooo 1970's Southern California, it could easly be the dinnerware for the Hotel California. The Vernon Ware "San Fernando Gold" pattern showcases an Old California Mission style. Two toned base glaze of brown & gold, highlighted with deep brown scalloped edges. A Spanish wrought-iron filigree graces the rim.
Available now.
This pattern was introduced in 1950 to tie-in Vernon Kilns dinnerware to the movie. Designed to be marketed in conjunction with the new movie "Winchester 73" starring James Stewart and Shelly Winters. The pattern was also coordinated with Heisey glassware with similar design and name.
Due to a change in the movie's premier date, the promotion did not work. Neither Heisey nor Vernon Kilns could develop the wares and advertising quickly enough to meet the new date. It is now a very rare pattern. |
Winchester '73 is a 1950 American Western film directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea, and Stephen McNally. Written by Borden Chase and Robert L. Richards, the film is about the journey of a prized rifle from one ill-fated owner to another and a cowboy's search for a murderous fugitive. The movie features early film performances by Rock Hudson as an American Indian, Tony Curtis, and James Best. The film received a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for Best Written American Western. It was filmed in black and white. In 2015, the United States Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry, finding it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
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Vernon Kilns
Mexican Serenade Romeo & Juliet The pattern is called "Romeo and Juliet" or "Mexican Serenade" & dates to the 1930s. The scene on the plate shows a young "Romeo" serenading an unseen "Juliet," but we do see a beautiful, brightly colored flowered shawl draped over the balcony. A yellow sun is setting behind mountains in the upper center of the plate. The dinnerware is off white and has a scalloped & beveled design trimmed in 22kt gold around the edge. |
Vernon Kilns "Romeo & Juliet" Soup Bowl
$46.00
Vernon Kilns "Romeo & Juliet" Soup Bowl. Beautiful Mexican Maraichi transferwear on scalloped & beveled bowl, trimmed in 22kt gold. Measures 8" diameter & 1-1/2" deep. Excellent Condition; no chips, no cracks, no crazing. Gently used showing light utensil wear. Hallmarked on back with Vernon California logo.
Vernon Kilns "Romeo & Juliet" Luncheon Plate
$40.00
Vernon Kilns "Romeo & Juliet" Luncheon Plate. Beautiful Mexican Maraichi transferwear on scalloped & beveled bowl, trimmed in 22kt gold. Measures 9-1/2" diameter & 7/8" deep. Excellent Condition; no chips, no cracks, no crazing. Gently used showing light utensil wear. Hallmarked on back with Vernon California logo.
Vernon Kilns "Romeo & Juliet" Cup & Saucer Set
$48.00
Vernon Kilns "Romeo & Juliet" Coffee Cup & Saucer Set. Beautiful Mexican Maraichi transferwear on scalloped & beveled bowl, trimmed in 22kt gold. Cup measures 3-3/4" diameter & 2-3/8" deep & 4-1/2" long from handle to rim. Excellent Condition; no chips, no cracks, no crazing. Saucer measures 6-1/4" diameter & 3/4" deep. Very Good Condition; no chips, no cracks, some crazing. Hallmarked on back with Vernon Early California logo.
Vernon Kilns "Romeo & Juliet" Fruit Bowl
$32.00
Vernon Kilns "Romeo & Juliet" Fruit Bowl. Beautiful Mexican Maraichi transferwear on scalloped & beveled bowl, trimmed in 22kt gold. Measures 5-1/4" diameter & 1" deep. Excellent Condition; no chips, no cracks, no crazing. Gently used showing light utensil wear. Hallmarked on back with Vernon California logo.