Last weekend I participated in the Rhinebeck Antiques Fair in New York's Hudson Valley. I've been staying with my friends, Jamie and Chris, whose home is filled with art and antiques, and I'm happy there despite the long drive each day to Dutchess County. At the show Saturday I was pleased to welcome back several previous customers (and all the new ones). One couple, Jane and Kevin, collect Clarice Cliff ceramics, and this story is about them. They had bought a teaset elsewhere and were having trouble identifying its pattern and shape. I had a small cream pitcher in Rhodanthe in the Trieste shape, and they recognized the shape. Jane sent me pictures but I was stumped - it was Trieste and the pattern was botanical and familiar but I couldn't place it. Then I received another excited email that the pattern had been found by googling the shape. I remain amazed at how easy it is to obtain information with our electronic tools, as well as very pleased with this outcome.
ps: I've been invited to speak early next year about my specialty, English Deco ceramics, to a group in Northern Virginia. I'm boning up, with a new book added to my library.
