Two head vases dropped in value somewhat
Q. I have two head vases that are in perfect condition. The female is 8 inches tall and the male 7½ inches. On one the bottom is printed “Art Studios of Madison, Wisconsin” around a “C” in a circle. I received these on my first wedding anniversary on Oct. 8, 1950. Can you please tell me their value?
A. No matter how much this pair of so-called “head vases” or “head planters” might be worth monetarily, their greatest value will always be as her first-anniversary present from her husband.
The name of the maker given in the letter is not exactly right. It should be the Ceramic Art Studio, which was founded in Madison, Wis., in 1941 by Lawrence Rabbit and Reuben Sand. They reportedly manufactured china figures, “artware” and florist wares — such as these two head vases.
The company used local clay in its products and made a wide variety of items, many of which were designed by Betty Harrington. In 1955, Reuben Sand retired and the company was relocated to Japan, where it continued to produce many of the wares formerly made in Madison.
Ceramic Art Studio pieces made in the United States should have a semicircular mark stamped in ink that reads “Ceramic Art Studio” in an arc, with “Madison, Wis.” below in another concentric arc. All of this surrounds a “C” inside a circle.
In many instances, pieces were also marked with the name of the figure stamped on the bottom. The pair in today’s question should be marked “Manchu” and “Lotus,” respectively. But if they are not, that is not grounds for worry.
Japanese reissues are marked with a paper label, but, unfortunately, that is easily removed. However, while the Japanese pieces are marked “Ceramic Art Studio,” they do not say “Madison, Wis.” In any event, there is no doubt in our minds that the pair in today’s question were made in Madison and not in Japan.
Ceramic Art Studio made a variety of head vases, which are all fairly collectible. These include “Becky,” which looks like she just came out of “Tom Sawyer”; “Mei-Ling,” another Asian-themed vase; “Bonnie,” an old-fashioned girl; and “Sven” and “Svea” — a boy-and-girl pair with her in pigtails and him wearing a distinctive flat hat.
“Barbie,” is another of these, but she has no relationship to the more famous doll produced with such success by Mattel. Perhaps the rarest of Ceramic Art Studio head vases are the stylized, mask-like African head vases, which were discontinued because they simply did not sell very well.
It should also be noted that “Manchu” and “Lotus” can be found as wall plaques, but these are not as desirable to most collectors as the head vases. Valuing the “Manchu” and “Lotus” head vases presents something of a problem because prices for these sorts of items have apparently fallen in recent years.
In 2009, it was widely reported that this pair should be valued in the $400 to $450 range, but as we check more current reports, we believe this amount is too high for the 2011 market. We feel that the value of this pair has dropped by one half or a bit more since 2008/2009, but may rise again over the next decade or so.
Ÿ Contact Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson at Treasures in Your Attic, P.O. Box 18350, Knoxville, TN 37928.