Welcome to modish!

Modish is a social-networking community of modern design enthusiasts from all walks of life. Recent finds and prized possessions are shared by members in a format resembling show & tell. We are a good-spirited, fun group and the site is an invaluable, ever-expanding and evolving resource for 20th century modern design enthusiasts. Posts on all forms of vintage modern design are welcome (Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Mid-century Modern, and more). Your active participation makes this all work.

When you register and sign in, you can participate, search content, and access almost 10,000 pages. Sign in to remove the welcome and login boxes.

User login

Note from Curator: Very Rare Laurel Life Butter Dish Found

Submitted by modlectic on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 9:11pm

Laurel California Life Butter Dish

Laurel Potteries of California. California "Life". Desert Brown. Charles E. "Ted" Scarpino (s). Butter dish. 1952.

I'm very excited to share this find at MODish tonight because I understand this shape was the first butter dish design for California "Life" and it's considered scarce today. The shape was designed by Charles E. "Ted" Scarpino. This butter dish is in Desert Brown, which was a high gloss glaze as is apparent in the photo. California "Life" was also available in Peach Blossom, Sea Green, Sierra Yellow and Cloud White.

Your rating:

Average: 5 (6 votes)

Re: Laurel Potteries

Submitted by atomicscott on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 9:30pm.

Wow! This is fantastic, Clyde. I love the guiding fins on each side of the top. Brilliant!

Re: Laurel Potteries

Submitted by SteveMinne on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 10:01pm.

Dang. Handsome handsome!

Re: Laurel Potteries

Submitted by mcm.indigo on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 10:11pm.

I'll second that "WOW," as this is a particularly awesome dish!

Re: Laurel Potteries

Submitted by nostalgiaholic on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 10:39pm.

Incredible!! Butter never had it better. It's an amazing find, Clyde. My heart would have been racing all the way to the car. Bet yours skipped a beat or two.

Re: Laurel Potteries

Submitted by mpratt on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 6:14am.

This is absolutely an astounding discovery, Clyde! I knew of the supposed existence of this butter dish only from discussions with the designer. I did not have a sense that it really existed, since I have never seen one show up like this. Count your lucky stars. Vicariously, you have made my year with this discovery. Congratulations!

I've changed this post and title so that others may appreciate the rarity of this object. Hopefully, it may help others take notice and find more.

What a gorgeous shape.

Re: Laurel Potteries

Submitted by modlectic on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 9:31am.

Thanks for all the positive comments! Mike, I did count my lucky stars when seeing this. I knew from your first book that this butter dish shape was elusive but is that because there wasn't confirmation that it had been produced beyond a prototype stage? Scott H., my heart did skip some beats over this find. For the record, this butter dish came with a larger set of dishes that I didn't need or really want (some damaged pieces) but the presence of this piece compelled me to act. Of course, the best part is sharing it at Modish!

Re: Laurel Potteries

Submitted by atomicscott on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 11:30pm.

Great story, Clyde. Good luck was on your side!

Re: Laurel Potteries

Submitted by mpratt on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 8:15am.

In fact, the only photographic evidence I had that it existed was in a photo that Ted Scarpino sent me to include in the first volume of MCMD (see page 100, center of the table). Another photograph he sent revealed shapes that never were produced. It is good to know that this shape did see at least limited distribution.

This is one of my all time favorite butter dishes, more so now that I have a better view of the shape. So glad we have this forum to share in each other's good fortune.