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Good Question: Source for Vintage Earthenware?

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I'm looking for some vintage pottery in the Boston area and having a hard time finding what I'm looking for. I want an earthenware/stoneware pitcher or even brightly colored fiestware. Any leads on where I could look Thanks so much! Molly in Cambridge

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We know that Reside and Abodeon in Cambridge both have a small collection of vintage and MCM pottery. Anyone else have a source for this? If you're looking for local pottery, we used to take classes at Mudflat in Somerville and they have a lovely little store in Porter Square.

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Good Questions, vintage, pottery, Reside, Abodeon

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Comments (24)

Thrift stores.

posted by clampers on June 10th 2009 at 9:22am
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I saw a Fiestaware pitcher at the Goodwill in Central Square sometime in February...but it's long gone now. My best bet is thrift stores...Boomerangs possibly?

posted by amidalailama on June 10th 2009 at 10:03am
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I'm not sure about Boston area specifically, but yes, thrift stores. However, I've never really seen Fiestaware in thrift stores - especially the pitcher - but I can tell you that I tend to see them in antique malls, and also vintage clothes shops that also sell a few housewares.

As for the Fiestaware, make sure you know your value - I was in an antique mall this weekend and spotted one for $50. Then, I spotted another for $25. Then I found one for $10. Then I found one for $199!!! These were all in the same mall, in booths no more than 100 feet from one another. I grabbed the $10 one - nothing was wrong with it and it was coral, my favorite color. Deal! $199 is way, WAY overpriced. Generally, the Fiestaware pitchers should run about $20-40, depending on color and condition.

Also, you may be able to find something neat on replacements.com...

posted by little apple on June 10th 2009 at 10:22am
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Try the Cambridge Antiques Market. Five floors of antiques near the Lechmere Green Line stop. They have everything.

posted by rac1234 on June 10th 2009 at 10:32am
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Usually always at flea markets.

posted by LoriSF on June 10th 2009 at 10:45am
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EBay

posted by bepsf on June 10th 2009 at 10:48am
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I second the suggestion for the Cambridge Antiques Market!

posted by Marion B. on June 10th 2009 at 11:15am
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ebay

posted by kdel on June 10th 2009 at 11:30am
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There were at least two vendors at Brimfield last month with nothing but Fiestaware and jadite.

posted by thecynthesizer on June 10th 2009 at 11:36am
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auctions.

posted by Chloe C on June 10th 2009 at 11:40am
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Brimfield!

posted by TCMB on June 10th 2009 at 11:52am
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The SOWA market added an antiques market on Sundays. A number of sellers have pottery and fiesta ware.
http://www.sowaantiquesmarket.com/

I have been very impressed with the well-culled collections so far.

posted by Tafe on June 10th 2009 at 11:58am
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with best offer option and free shipping!

posted by plasticorange on June 10th 2009 at 12:09pm
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these are all good comments but how about asking family members and friends? A lot of people have this kind of stuff around they're not using

posted by ec05 on June 10th 2009 at 12:53pm
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It wouldn't be vintage, but check out local craft fairs, rennaissance faires, and the like. Renn faires, especially, will have cheap, pretty and sturdy earthernware EVERYTHING.

posted by deliriumsama on June 10th 2009 at 3:43pm
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I've seen some nice vintage pieces at Downstairs at Felton Antiques in Waltham.

posted by s_boston on June 11th 2009 at 9:46pm
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another vote for both the CAM and brimfield. if you go to the CAM, go up to the fourth floor; there is a vendor there who has an amazing selection of kitchenware and great prices! there is some fiestaware scattered around the other floors but it's usually painfully expensive.

if not, GO to brimfield in july. i was shopping for large furniture the last time i was there, but there was so much amazing kitchenware! i came home with four teapots and no credenza; it was kind of ridiculous. but there are tents and tents of just ceramics vendors; you will have a blast!

posted by curvatura on June 12th 2009 at 10:39am
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(oh, and boomerangs is amazing, and you might also try buckaroo's in central and there is a tiny but well-stocked vintage place in davis, too. this is convenient, because you can hit the davis goodwill up the street, which frequently also has magical finds. happy hunting!)

posted by curvatura on June 12th 2009 at 10:40am
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Molly - I'm in the same boat with needing to replace a piece of Watt pottery that recently bit the dust. These suggestions will help!

posted by dianalily on June 12th 2009 at 11:20am
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Molly, I am planning on selling some of my Fiestaware. I am North of Boston. I have the cranberry color, cobalt and the periwinkle place settings. I was going to list them on Ebay however if you are interested, let me know. They are not vintage but that also means they don't have the high lead content associated with the old Fiestaware. Just a thought, again if you want to chat e-mail me.

hefron04 at verizon dot net

posted by DawnMarie04 on June 13th 2009 at 6:07am
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http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Docs-Crocks__W0QQ_armrsZ1 This is definitely not the thrift store, flea market route....but check this out.

posted by junklover on June 13th 2009 at 8:31am
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I go to the new SoWa Antiques Market almost every week and I have seen pottery and fiestaware on many occasions.
It's a great place if you're looking for anything vintage.
www.sowaantiques.com

posted by antiqueman on June 22nd 2009 at 5:35pm
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