Page 12 - 2022 Glass Editorial

left: Katherine’s 1960s Bols Ballerina. This Sometimes I just
typically contains a predominantly cinnamon Two versions of a decorative gondolaa arrange them on
flavor liquer in this unusually-shaped bottle made in Japan. The top example is our sideboard so it
with a dancing ballerina at its center. The “Paulux China”, the bottom is looks like a regatta
Bols Ballerina bottles came in four different Katherine’s favorite. streaming down
variations - Apricot Brandy, Gold Liqueur, the Grand Canal.
Triple Sec or Crème de Menthe. These can sell
for anywhere from $60 to $400, depending
upon condition and contents. Do you have any from
Venice or Bohemia?
Do you connect with others who collect
these? Is there a club? No – I wish!

No and I don’t know. I did reach out Do you have dupli-
to the Rakow Library at Corning one cates? Or multiples
time for information on them and they of one in an array of
had never heard of them. colors?
A couple of duplicates in different colorways.
Ceramic Gondolas
With a nod to the city of glass, Do you have mostly mid-Century modern? Do you have any old, antique gondolas?
Katherine collects ceramic Venetian
gondolas that are planters or serving Most are mid-century, from the 1950s. I don’t think any of them
dishes. For her collections, it is not would be much older than that.
about their dollar values but about
enjoying what they represent. Mostly Which one is your favorite?
from the mid-1900s, these beauties
decorate her home with a touch of the I kind of like the
Italian spirit. really small one and
then also the really
How did you come about to collect gondola planters? Were you looking for some- big pink one.
thing to signify your profession’s connection to Venice, or did you see them and
think it would be fun to collect? Have you sold any pieces
from your collections? Or
Bingo! I started given any as a gift? What Katherine’s other favorite gondola – a large pink
collecting these was the occasion? ceramic serving dish with metal holder. Stylish!
because of the
connection to No, I haven’t. I’ve thought about trying to include them in an art
Venice, absolutely. I exhibition, or as part of an artwork, but haven’t quite figured that
am obsessed with out yet.
anything vintage that
depicts or references Is there one you are searching for?
Venice. above, Vintage McCoy black gondola with painted
flowers to be used as a planter or candy dish, circa I wish had the missing oars for the
1950s. Similar examples sell online for around $40.
When did you make your gondoliers that are on a couple of
first purchase of one? Or, was it a gift? them, but there is also one that has
little separate serving dishes that sit
I don’t remember honestly. My first one wasn’t a gift but I don’t inside the boat. I’d love one of those.
remember where or when I got it or even which one was first.
Any advice for other collectors?
Do you have any glass examples, or just pottery?
I’m on to you!!!!
I did have a glass gondola ashtray for a while but it got broken.
Otherwise, they’re all pottery. Any last words?

Who are your favorite makers of these planters? I wish had a couple of homes for no
other reason than I would have Katherine Gray
One company, Haeger, or sometimes Royal Haeger, made several enough space to have these out, along
of them, but I’m not with all of the other things I collect!
1950 Royal Haeger gondolas sure of the makers
featuring two different colors for the rest.

Do you use them for
plants or decoration or
other uses?

I’ve thought about
using them for
plants but never have
committed yet.

right, A selection of four different gondola planters/servers.
Top, l-r: A cream USA Pottery (probably) gondola and a Haeger gondola centerpiece.
Bottom, l-r: A dark green/black gondola planter and a teal gondola made by Shawnee.
10 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles