BY Keith Recker | February 7, 2010

I have a problem with lustreware

My friend Barbara and I went to Brimfield a few times for the antiques show. It rained like Woodstock during most of our visits, and things that gleamed out of the muck and mire looked ESPECIALLY tempting.  The orange one is Bavarian and early 20th century.  I keep its chipped foot turned away from critical eyes.  The creamy one is from Utrecht, made between the two world wars.
 
In attempt to keep my lustre problem in check, I have rules. No patterns, especially flowers. Bavaria and Czech Republic only, with exceptions for France, Austria, England, and Holland.  And I have to accept that the stuff will probably live in a box in the basement 999 days out of 1000.
 
There is certainly some modern production behind the clean shapes and perfect glazes that draw me in.  But what really turns me on is the skill of attentive makers, a serious sense of restraint and patience behind the over the top surfaces.