Early C.A.S Vietri Wall Plate

Wall Plate attr. to Irene Kowaliska

A large and fine wall charger by the Italian pottery C.A.S., Ceramiche Artistica Solimene of Vietri Italy. It measures 17 ¾ inches in diameter and stands 2 ½ inches tall. Showing a pair of fishermen in a boat hauling in a net filled with fish, the painting is attributed to Irene Kowaliska ( Kowalski) (1905-1991).

Kowaliska was born in Poland and studied in Vienna and Berlin. In 1931 she moved to Vietri and joined a colony of artists from Northern Europe, known as the “Germans of Vietri.” Between the twenties and the beginning of World War II these artists moved to the towns of the Amalfi Coast and contributed greatly to the renewal of traditional art and local pottery.

The back of the plate, or shallow bowl, is marked C.A.S. Vietri Italy, This is the earliest mark for the company used between 1937-1950’s. The condition is fine with no chips cracks or repairs. It has some crazing and glaze bursts which is common in this type of pottery. You can find this for sale at BungalowBILL.com

C. A. S. Vietri mark

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Antique Art Deco Tiles

Have you ever wondered why you rarely see American tiles from the art Deco period? Alright, maybe you haven’t. But I’m a tile nerd and have pondered the thought. I see the reason is that although Art Deco was the rage in Europe in the 1920’s, it really didn’t get the the USA until the 30’s. That also happened to coincide with the Depression, so people were worrying about many other things than decorative tiles. People had to live their Deco life through the Hollywood movies since they couldn’t afford to renovate their homes. Deco quickly turned to Moderne after the war then blasted into Mid Century Modern. Art Deco really never got a chance to get a foothold in the USA as decorating style for the great majority of Americans

Antique Art Deco Tiles by Mosaic

The antique tiles shown here are made by the Mosaic Tile Company of Zanesville, Ohio. They have a nice Art Deco aesthetic to them and the backs bear what seems to be a transitional mark, somewhat between the round MTC of the Arts and Crafts and 20’s era and the MOSAIC in a lozenge of post World War 2.

Find these for sale at BungalowBILL.com

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