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Modlectic

Submitted by modlectic on Tue, 06/05/2007 - 8:01am

Salem Free-Form Aquaria Teapot

The Salem Free-Form teapot in the Aquaria pattern. Designed by Viktor Schreckengost.

Your rating:

Average: 4.9 (12 votes)

This is the holy grail for me

Submitted by dugbran on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 2:27pm.

This teapot, or the Free Form Primitive. Absolutely wonderful. I dream of walking into an antique store somewhere and seeing it in a case. It's nice to see a photo of a nice example!

Definitely

Submitted by mpratt on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 6:09pm.

I'd have to say it's one of mine as well, although I would be happy with Aquaria, Primitive, or Tepee in this shape.

Have you seen Tepee live and in person?

Submitted by dugbran on Fri, 08/01/2008 - 3:16pm.

I don't think I've ever seen anything up for sale in that pattern. Primitive and Aquaria are rare enough!

Tepee

Submitted by mpratt on Fri, 08/01/2008 - 4:38pm.

I have one piece of Tepee. It's cool. Wish I had more, but I'd settle for Aquaria anyday!

I've only seen pictures of

Submitted by dugbran on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 5:32pm.

I've only seen pictures of the Tepee (either in the second Henry Adams bio of Viktor Schreckengost or in Jo Cunningham's book on Vik's dinnerware--I don't remember which).

I lucked into some Aquaria about three years ago, when a woman put about 10 lots of it on ebay. I won some cups and saucers, which are fabulous, and then that same woman called me (out of the blue) and asked whether I wanted to buy four tabbed bowls. They had varying amounts of damage, but the Aquaria is so rare I didn't care. I've since gotton one dinner plate.

It's hard for me to say whether I like Primitive or Aquaria better. They are both remarkable.

I have the Free Form teapot, but in Daybreak (which is okay, not my favorite). What's hilarious is that the lid is Southwind. They look similar enough that I'm sure the seller didn't know. I didn't even bother telling him. I was so happy to have the teapot--with any decoration--I just laughed. The hollow ware is much less expensive with the Daybreak pattern, so that's what I have the S&P shakers in, as well as the creamer and sugar bowl (which I also have in Primitive). But Primitive has gotten ridiculous since I started collecting. The last time I saw both S&P shakers go on ebay, they went for around $600. There was a full cruet set a couple of years ago that went for $3,400 or so (if memory serves). I thought, Oh, well. That's likely it for me and Primitive hollow ware!

Now that Viktor is gone, I've seen the prices beginning to rise--in some cases, soar.

Rarity

Submitted by mpratt on Thu, 08/07/2008 - 6:37am.

In my experience, Tepee is rarer than Aquaria is rarer than Primitive. They are all great patterns.I'm just happy to have the teapot in Hopscotch Turquoise.

Mike

Tepee Teapot

Submitted by atomicscott on Thu, 08/07/2008 - 4:49pm.

I know there are Tepee teapots out there. I have an orphan lid to one (don't remember how I found it) and I have been looking for a base ever since.

Salem Free Form Teapots

Submitted by modlectic on Sun, 08/10/2008 - 8:33pm.

I consider myself very fortunate to own an Aquaria teapot. There are many examples of MCM dinnerware that I admire but the Salem Free-Form teapot shape has to be one of my all-time favorites. For the record, this Aquaria teapot isn't perfect. There are a couple of small chips on the edge of the lid and some glaze flaws but I don't see them as a major problem.

It would be a thrill to see the teapot in the Tepee pattern. I've only seen photographs of Tepee at this point. The prices on ebay for examples of Primitive serving pieces in the last few years have astonished me. I recall a Primitive teapot with significant damage to the lid and a chip on the spout still bringing over $2,000.

Another Free-Form pattern that I think can be fun is Comstock. I particularly like the decal of the two blue oxen pulling a covered wagon. I recall a Salem Free-Form teapot in the Comstock pattern selling on ebay about 3 years ago and it brought about $900. I remember being somewhat surprised by the price (didn't know if Comstock would be that popular) but I guess it's fair to say that "bargains" for the Free-Form teapot in any pattern are rare.

Aquaria, Damaged MCM, & Pride

Submitted by mpratt on Mon, 08/11/2008 - 6:47am.

First of all, congrats on being the only person I know to own an Aquaria teapot!

Regarding damage. Years ago, I would insist on only pristine items. A small scratch would disqualify a purchase. Nowadays, I am very happy to own a hard-to-find item with damage, especially if the object displays well. The value of these items will be determined by the market, but I sense that people have a more forgiving nature for rare and hard-to-find objects. I think this is as it should be: I suspect most would like to see these items preserved, not tossed.

The majority of people I know, on showing a hard-to-find or rare object, announce the object with its flaw--I'm including myself in that bunch. I'm to the point where I'm not so apologetic. Of course, if I were to sell, the flaw or any repairs must be disclosed. But, these items being so hard to find and in demand as they are, I don't think I'm any less proud of owning these damaged rare items. Case in point, I proudly display my Gorbutt-Bowman teapot that has a chip on the spout. It displays very well (no one sees it on casual observation). It's the only GB teapot I've every seen. So, even if it were to have no value to anyone else, I am quite proud to own it, chip and all. Now if you all had GB teapots, my pride would falter.

Sometimes a little damage

Submitted by spinario on Mon, 08/11/2008 - 12:04pm.

Sometimes a little damage is just what I need - it makes me feel not guilty about using it as the practical object it was meant to be. And if I break in the daily course of things... I can be like "Oh well! it wasn't worth anything with that chip / crack etc, anyways!".

MCM Pride

Submitted by modlectic on Tue, 08/12/2008 - 10:09am.

Thank you for proudly displaying that Gorbutt-Bowman teapot! It's likely the only one I'll ever see and it's absolutely fantastic.

Re: Aquaria, Damaged MCM, & Pride

Submitted by dugbran on Tue, 07/27/2010 - 5:44pm.

(This thread is years old, but I thought I'd try!) I just found a Free Form Tepee plate on Ebay with a buy-it-now option and snapped it up. I can't believe it was there. I can't wait to see it. As to those Free Form teapots, I was thrilled to find one with the Daybreak pattern (of course, not my fave but still attractive), only to discover upon its arrival that the lid is Southwind! Ah, well. I couldn't resell it without mentioning the different lid, although it looks similar enough to Daybreak that I'm sure the seller had no idea. But it's the only Free Form teapot I have, so I'm happy to have it.

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