Description
MacKenzie-Childs Ceramic berry bowl in Brittany EARLY 80’s This beautiful handmade small berry bowl is a piece of history from the MacKenzie-Childs era when Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs owned and designed at the factory in Aurora up until 2001. Currently, this pattern and shape is not in production and has been retired for some time, so this piece is collectible. The small bowl is 6″ diameter x 1 3/4″ H Has very old, Early VRMC logo stamped on bottom before they had any date stamps. Has old potters stamp of a squiggle & dot next to logo on bottom. This piece came out of Victoria’s Aunt’s collection. These small bowls sold as berry bowls, ice cream bowls, even as a soap dish. The pattern Brittany sits under a windy umbrella over seaside and sand with a country French accent. From The Story Behind The Patterns Brittany was part of the Taylor Series. Bowl is in nice vintage condition- some light utensil marks in center of bowl- no chips, pre-owned as stated from an estate. MacKenzie-Childs factory sits upon the Cayuga Lake, one of the Finger Lakes in Upstate NY that spans 50 miles long. From the Mackenzie-Childs Website: Each piece is hand-painted and no two are exactly alike. Our pottery decorators mix their own colors, resulting in slight variations. Brush strokes also vary, so you will see the artisan’s “hand” in the work. The signature red clay that we use in all of our Aurora studio pottery has its own delightful identity. In the finished piece, you may notice tiny pinholes or white spots which are characteristic of majolica pottery. These form when organic materials within the clay explode through the glazed surface during firing, or implode pulling the color inward. We like to think that these dimples and freckles add to the personality of each piece. Ceramic Pottery Care and Use< Our clay body, glaze, stains, decals, and lustres are formulated to ensure that all of our pottery collections are completely food safe. All MacKenzie-Childs ceramics meet all FDA and California Article 65 standards and requirements for lead and cadmium release. Bisque (unglazed) ceramic, when scuffed or soiled, may be gently sanded with fine sandpaper and smoothed over with a damp, soft cloth. Because the red clay foot of each piece is unglazed, be sure to dry completely before placing on wood surfaces, as the moisture in the clay can cause damage to wood. Taylor Series pottery, when starting at room temperature, can be used in the microwave and oven. It is best to place a dish in a cool oven. Placing cool dishes in a hot oven can cause the glaze to crack over time. Oven temperature should not exceed 375°F. We do not recommend using any pieces that are cracked or chipped. These glazed ceramic pieces are dishwasher safe, but hand-washing and drying with soap and water will extend the life and lustre of the finish. Knife marks left on majolica plates may be gently removed with Soft Scrub, Bon Ami or other mild abrasive cleaners. Avoid use over or under direct concentrated heat. Do not use on the stovetop or under a broiler. In order to ensure even heating, add a small amount of liquid to the dish before baking foods that release juices while cooking. Do not add cold liquids to hot dishes. Always handle hot dishes with pot holders and avoid placing on cold or wet surfaces. Allow dishes to cool completely before washing. To loosen baked-on food, soak cooled dishes, and use plastic or nylon pads and nonabrasive cleaners when necessary. ALL of my M-C items unless stated otherwise, were hand-painted and made from the period when Victoria and Richard were owners and worked at the factory. Contact for more photos or questions.
