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Though I know nothing about who Laura Smith is or was, I do know that she is a very talented enamelist. Her enamels show great skill and imagination.


This particular oblong example measures 5 3/4  inches in length x 4 inches in diameter and is simply stunning! A background color of a bright orange showcases the warm swirls of burgundy, white, gold in this design, which is made up of small jewels. It reminds me of Op Art. The back is counter-enameled in the same black color as Bovano but the area in which the initials LS are written are done in a vibrant orange. A gold paper label stating Laura Smith Enamel on Copper is present as well. A great example of Mid-Century enamel by a very talented artist.  Annemarie Davidson learned her enameling craft first from the great Doris Hall (1907-2001) in Cambridge, MA in 1957. In California she continued her studies with Curtis Tann. Her combination of geometric and organic form in her designs culminated in her most celebrated abstract designs, her Jewel line which features pieces of glass used to create free-form organic shapes which she calls Jewels. She also uses a sgraffito technique, incising straight lines from the center of her plate with the sharp point of a dart. She no longer is producing work.


This 10 1/2 inch long x 6 1/4 inch wide plate, most likely from the 1961-1962 time period, is unusual for its size and shape. It is scarce to find plates larger than her more standard 6-7 inches. This biomorphic oblong shape is unusual as well as most of her larger pieces are on round shapes.


This plate features 3 large yellow and blue jewels and 6 smaller clight blue jewels. The underlying copper color can be seen near the edges as well as behind the center area. A prominent Palm Springs CA dealer James Elliot-Bishop on his website has named this pattern as Grooveline.


The back of the plate has three felt pads and is signed with her charcteristic AD interwined intiails and her paper label which reads Annemarie Davidson handcrafted enamels Sierra Madre California. In addition, there is a label which reads SOLID COPPER, Made in U. S. A. I have never seen this label on a Davidson piece before. Every piece was handcrafted by her alone, from start to finish. Excellent condition.


The work of Annemarie Davidson was included in the seminal exhibit titled Painting with Fire which opened in Jan 2007 at the Long Beach Museum of Art. She was one of 30 enamelists included with a one page entry on her life and work. Her page is page 266 of the catalogue.


Add it to your Mid century enamel collection today.  This 7 3/8 inch wide low bowl was made by Worcester Mass enamelist Donald B. Andrick. Here is some background information I have found on him.


He participated in the Massilon Museum’s 1964 Summer Show July 1 - August 30. 445 pieces entered and 185 accepted.  His enamel tray received the Baldwin Purchase prize.


Found in The Morning Record, Meriden CT - Wednesday Oct. 8  1975:


The Annual Arts & Crafts Show sponsored by the Sisterhood of Temple B’Nai Abraham on October 12, 1975.  "Donald Andrick of Worcester, MA works with enamel on copper.  His works which include jewelry, dishes, sculpture and plaques are in museum collections as well as private collections throughout the world.  Andrick is listed in the 1975 Who’s Who in America and has won numerous awards.


This low bowl has a background color of a reddish orange color. One can see specks in it like the early pieces of California enamel artist Annemarie Davidson.  Like Davidson, Andrick draws lines from the center of the piece to the edge with some sort of tool.  The back is counter-enameled in a lovely dark purple color. The original label stating Donald B. Andrick  Enameling is still there as are two of the three felt pads the original owner must have added to protect the surface on which this stunning bowl sat.


It is in excellent condition with no edge chips or flakes. Add it to your American Midcentury enamel collection today.  Ellamarie (1913-1976) and Jackson Woolley (1910-1992)  are two of the pre-eniment artists who worked in the medium of enamel in the 20th century.  They are included in the seminal exhibit of 2007 produced by the Long Beach Museum of Art entitled "Painting with Fire: Masters of Enameling in America 1930-1980".  One of only 13 artists to merit a full chapter, information about them can be seen on pages 149-165 of the exhibit catalogue.


Based in San Diego, CA, this husband and wife team first saw enameling in 1947. In an interview Ellamarie stated that they were enamoured of enamel for "the medium’s unique properties, particularly its rich color and layered depth, especially appealing."


The plates which they produced between 1947-1953 were signed and numbered sequentially based on the order they were produced.  Modern in their design, the plates were decorated with abstract, figurative, or still-life designs.  More than 5000 of these plates were produced between 1948-1953.


Their work was shown in the annual Decorative Arts and Ceramics Exhibition at the Wichita Art Association in 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955 (Ellamarie), 1956 (Ellamarie), 1957 and 1961 (Ellamarie), as well as in the biennial exhibitions of 1968 and 1970.  Their work was featured in the seminal Kenneth Bate’s book "Enameling:  Principles and Practice", as well as in the 1957 publication by Oppi Untracht titled "Enameling on Metal".   From 1954 on, their attention turned to larger works.


This #804 plate was created for Gump’s of San Francisco.  It measures 4 5/8 inches in diameter.  A vibrant chartreuse background serves to makes the abstract birds and fish POP out on this plate.  Done in shades of turquoise, teal, green, orange and purple, these animals are asymmetrically placed around the plate.  Counterenameled in a rich speckled green, the signatures are on the copper middle of the back.  


An important piece of American enameling art, add it to your Midcentury enamel or art collection today.

Laura Smith 5 inch enamel plate with lab $35.00

 

Annemarie Davidson biomorphic Grooveline $150.00

 

Donald Andrick gorgeous red enamel low b $125.00

 

Ellamarie and Jackson Woolley #804 Bird / $400.00

Annemarie Davidson learned her enameling craft first from the great Doris Hall (1907-2001) in Cambridge, MA in 1957. In California she continued her studies with Curtis Tann. Her combination of geometric and organic form in her designs culminated in her most celebrated abstract designs, her Jewel line which features pieces of glass used to create free-form organic shapes which she calls Jewels. She also uses a sgraffito technique, incising straight lines from the center of her plate with the sharp point of a dart. Now in her late 80s, she no longer produces work today as of 2011 I have been told.


This 7 3/4 inch diameter low bowl, most likely from the 1960-1961 time period, is a good example of an earlier Ghostline piece. This plate features 3 large yellow gold jewels and 3 smaller pumpkin orange jewels, all symmetrically arranged on the plate. The lines are under the Jewels. A prominent Palm Springs CA dealer James Elliot-Bishop on his website has named this pattern as Ghostline. This particular example is unusual in that the two colors of jewels used are not in high contrast to each other as on many of her pieces. Also, this shape bowl was often used in the earlier 1958-1959 period.


The back of the plate has the gold paper label and is signed with her charcteristic AD interwined intiial. I believe this particular version of the label predates the more common one with the black line.  It reads Annemarie Davidson handcrafted enamels Sierra Madre California. Every piece was handcrafted by her alone, from start to finish. 


It is in excellent condition. 


The work of Annemarie Davidson was included in the seminal exhibit titled Painting with Fire which opened in Jan 2007 at the Long Beach Museum of Art. She was one of 30 enamelists included with a one page entry on her life and work. Her page is page 266 of the catalogue.  Annemarie Davidson learned her enameling craft first from the great Doris Hall (1907-2001) in Cambridge, MA in 1957. In California she continued her studies with Curtis Tann. Her combination of geometric and organic form in her designs culminated in her most celebrated abstract designs, her Jewel line which features pieces of glass used to create free-form organic shapes which she calls Jewels. She also uses a sgraffito technique, incising straight lines from the center of her plate with the sharp point of a dart. Now in her 80s, she continues to produce work today.


This 7 1/2 inch plate, most likely from the 1961-1962 time period features 3 large medium blue jewels and5 smaller cobalt blue jewels . The lines float over the Jewels. A prominent Palm Springs CA dealer James Elliot-Bishop on his website has named this pattern as Ghostline.


The back of the plate is signed with her charcteristic AD interwined intiails. Every piece was handcrafted by her alone, from start to finish. Though there are no chips to the rim or dents, there are some stress fractures in the piece as it was probably dropped once.  You need to tilt the plate to the light to see them. Thus, I am offering this piece for just a few dollars more than I paid for it.  It is still a great example of Davidson for the beginning collector. 


The work of Annemarie Davidson was included in the seminal exhibit titled Painting with Fire which opened in Jan 2007 at the Long Beach Museum of Art. She was one of 30 enamelists included with a one page entry on her life and work. Her page is page 266 of the catalogue.  John Puskas was born in Cleveland in 1917. He received his training at the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Art, graduating in 1952. He studied with Kenneth Bates.  His designs were sold throughout the country at prominent department stores, such as Marshall Field's in Chicago, Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Gump's in San Francisco, and Higbee's in Cleveland. He served as art consultant to Western Reserve University from 1950 to 1960 and taught art at Cuyahoga Community College from 1972 to 1984. As stated on page 272 of the catalogue which accompanied the ground-breaking 2007 exhibit on enamel entitled Painting with Fire organized by the Long Beach Museum of Art, enamel was Puska's preferred medium throughout his career. 


His work was featured in the acclaimed Cleveland May Show (1938, 1940-42, 1950-2, 1954-58, 1966), the Wichita Decorative Arts and Ceramic Exhibition (1951) and the Syracuse Ceramic National (1951, 1954).  Six of his enamels were panels and bowls were included in Enamels, the important 1959 survey at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York.  Among his favorites subjects were musical instruments, Cubist-inspired still lifes and interiors, and abstract compositions, of which this particular piece is a great example.  Puskas was awarded the Creative Achievement Award by the Enamelist Society in 1999, two years prior to his death in 2001.


This 2 1/4 inch tall bowl measures 8 1/4 inches in diameter. It features a classical Greek Key pattern in green on a blue-green background. These seem to be preferred Puskas colors.  Counter-enameled in a chartreuse and forest green, it is signed simply Puskas in the counter-enamel. It is in excellent condition. 


Add it to your American Mid-century enamel collection today.  Annemarie Davidson learned her enameling craft first from the great Doris Hall (1907-2001) in Cambridge, MA in 1957. In California she continued her studies with Curtis Tann. Her combination of geometric and organic form in her designs culminated in her most celebrated abstract designs, her Jewel line which features pieces of glass used to create free-form organic shapes which she calls Jewels. She also uses a sgraffito technique, incising straight lines from the center of her plate with the sharp point of a dart. 


This 11 1/4 inch plate, most likely from the 1961-1962 time period, is unusual for its size. It is scarce to find plates larger than her more standard 6-7 inches. This plate features 5 large light blue jewels, 12 smaller cobalt blue jewels . The underlying copper color can be seen near the edges. A prominent Palm Springs CA dealer James Elliot-Bishop on his website has named this pattern as Grooveline.


What is interesting about this particular plate is the asymmetric placement of the jewels. Davidson was usually quite symmetric in her placement.  There are few pieces where the smaller jewels appear singly as on this large plate.

The back of the plate is signed with her charcteristic AD interwined intiails and her paper label which reads Annemarie Davidson handcrafted enamels Sierra Madre California. Every piece was handcrafted by her alone, from start to finish. Excellent condition. 


The work of Annemarie Davidson was included in the seminal exhibit titled Painting with Fire which opened in Jan 2007 at the Long Beach Museum of Art. She was one of 30 enamelists included with a one page entry on her life and work. Her page is page 266 of the catalogue.

Annemarie Davidson 8 inch wide low bowl $75.00

 

Davidson 7 in Ghostline blue on yellow p $35.00

 

John Puskas 8 inch enamel bowl $250.00

 

Annemarie Davidson 11 inch Grooveline pl $300.00

Annemarie Davidson learned her enameling craft first from the great Doris Hall (1907-2001) in Cambridge, MA in 1957. In California she continued her studies with Curtis Tann. Her combination of geometric and organic form in her designs culminated in her most celebrated abstract designs, her Jewel line which features pieces of glass used to create free-form organic shapes which she calls Jewels. She also uses a sgraffito technique, incising straight lines from the center of her plate with the sharp point of a dart. Now in her late 80s, she no longer produces work today as of 2010 I have been told.


This 7 inch plate, most likely from the 1961-1962 time period, is a good example of an earlier Ghostline piece. This plate features 3 large turquoise blue jewels and 7 smaller cobalt blue jewels, all symmetrically arranged, yet asymmetrically placed on the plate as the whole design is off center. The lines are under the Jewels. A prominent Palm Springs CA dealer James Elliot-Bishop on his website has named this pattern as Ghostline.


The back of the plate still has the three large brown felt pads, the full gold paper label and is signed with her charcteristic AD interwined intiial. Her paper label reads Annemarie Davidson handcrafted enamels Sierra Madre California with the horizontal black line. Every piece was handcrafted by her alone, from start to finish. 


It is in excellent condition. 


The work of Annemarie Davidson was included in the seminal exhibit titled Painting with Fire which opened in Jan 2007 at the Long Beach Museum of Art. She was one of 30 enamelists included with a one page entry on her life and work. Her page is page 266 of the catalogue.  Annemarie Davidson learned her enameling craft first from the great Doris Hall (1907-2001) in Cambridge, MA in 1957. In California she continued her studies with Curtis Tann. Her combination of geometric and organic form in her designs culminated in her most celebrated abstract designs, her Jewel line which features pieces of glass used to create free-form organic shapes which she calls Jewels. She also uses a sgraffito technique, incising straight lines from the center of her plate with the sharp point of a dart. Now in her late 80s, she no longer produces work today as of 2010 I have been told.


This 7 inch plate, most likely from the 1961-1962 time period, is a good example of an earlier Ghostline piece. This plate features 3 large turquoise blue jewels and 6 smaller cobalt blue jewels, all symmetrically arranged, yet asymmetrically placed on the plate as the whole design is off center. The lines are under the Jewels. A prominent Palm Springs CA dealer James Elliot-Bishop on his website has named this pattern as Ghostline.


The back of the plate still has the three large brown felt pads, the full gold paper label and is signed with her charcteristic AD interwined intiail. Her paper label reads Annemarie Davidson handcrafted enamels Sierra Madre California. Every piece was handcrafted by her alone, from start to finish. There are two tiny areas of some enamel loss to the rim.They are hard to see. One has to look hard to find them. It is in good vintage but not excellent condition, but it sure still looks great on a wall!


The work of Annemarie Davidson was included in the seminal exhibit titled Painting with Fire which opened in Jan 2007 at the Long Beach Museum of Art. She was one of 30 enamelists included with a one page entry on her life and work. Her page is page 266 of the catalogue.  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 6 inch wide square early Bovano plate is unusual for a few reasons. First, although the label on the back was put on in its usual position, the decoration on the front was place in the diamond position of the plate.  IT features a crowing cock or rooster but it was done with the use of negative space.  Tiny red, green and gold jewels decorate his comb and tail and are coming out of this beak.  The design uses the early white enamel which Brower used in his work.  My feeling is that this is a very early Bovano piece and may in fact have been a Brower design. 


It is in excellent condition. Add it to your Bovano or Midcentury enamel collection today.



 Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this set of 4 3 1/2 inch diameter coasters features what I have named the Jewel or Gumdrop pattern which consists of alternating rays of colors: orange, gold, a pinkish brown and chocolate brown coming out of 3 asymmetrically placed jewels on a dark blue purple on a deep mulberry purple background. This is a rare color background for Bovano in my opinion.


The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses and the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn. The labels are faded but present. All are in excellent condition. All in all, a great set to buy and use! Add this set to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today.

Annemarie Davidson 8 inch Ghostline dish $125.00

 

Annemarie Davidson 7 inch Ghostline dish $58.00

 

Bovano 6 inch Crowing Rooster plate $25.00

 

Bovano set 4 Mulberry jewel coasters $25.00

Produced by Landau Associates of Los Angeles, California, this carries an original label stating that this item was part of the California Cloisonne line.  This is the most common pattern I have seen but this large shape is uncommon. The pattern features the use of many large and small jewels, arranged more realistically than Davidson or Bovano did. There is a spray of jewels in the center in a floral design, though it is highly stylized and abstract as one would expect from the time period. Five large jewels are in the center:  deep red, pink, seafoam green, carnelian and a transparent yellow. These same colors are found around the piece along with a pumpkin orange color. The branches and stems are painted on. The two tone pink and white background is distinctive as only early Bovano pieces use it.  The sheared off corners are also interesting giving the piece an octagonal shape. The copper color counter-enameling is distinctive as well.  The large black paper label in the shape of an artist's palette reads:  California Cloisonné 1958. Hand Decorated Enamel On Copper, by Landau and Associates, Los Angeles. There are also three green felt pads to protect the surface upon which this piece would rest. There are some crazing lines on the back to the counter-enamel but the front has none such damage. It is excellent


An up-and-coming collectible as evidenced by the seminal exhibition at the Long Beach Museum of Art in 2007. Use it for your keys on an entrance table at your Malibu beach house or put bonbons in it and put it on your Noguchi or McCobb coffee table in your Eames era house.

 Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this is the widest piece that Bovano made in the 1953-1964 period.  It features various sizes of dark blue Jewels on a turquoise background background over a 10 inch portion of the interior. 


The back is done in the standard Bovano black counterenameling. It has two of its original felt protective pads and the original gold paper label. It is in very good condition and would look stunning on a blond wood Mid-Century coffee table or a Noguchi or Eames piece. Add it to your Mid-century enamel or Bovano collection today.  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this dish is 9 inches wide and features a background in a yellow gold shade. The pattern I have named Crescent & Jewel as it is formed of a crescent formed of small jewels in three colors (deep orange, light orange and a pink gold) around one big orange jewel, a standard Bovano motif. 


The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses with remnants of the original three brown felt pads and the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn. It is in excellent shape with only some stress lines near the rim and near one of the rests, but no chips to the rim or loss to the enamel. Use it as intended or put bonbons in it and display it on your Noguchi or McCobb or other Eames era designer furniture. Add it to your MidCentury enamel collection today.  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 8 inch wide tricorner shape bowl stands 3/4 inch high and features a pattern I have named Gumdrops. Four large deep orange jewels are the motif. It is unusual for Bovano to have both background and jewels be of the same color family, here two shades of orange. Most work was done in contrasting colors. There is some shading to a darker orange near the rim. The bowl is in good condition with no chips to the rim or enamel loss but there are some stress cracks on this piece, so I would label it good condition but not excellent.  It certainly remains a practical utilitarian piece of decorative Mid-Century enamel ware.


The back is done in the standard black Bovano counterenameling. The remnant of both the paper label and the three felt protective pads can still be seen but they are no longer there. Add some of your own, easy to do. Add it to your Mid-century enamel or Bovano collection today.

Landau California enamel 10 inch square $55.00

 

Bovano 18 inch blue Jewel ashtray $85.00

 

Bovano Crescent & Jewel 9 inch ashtray $24.00

 

Bovano tricorner Orange Gumdrops bowl $12.50

Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this is a great funky example of Bovano's work. It features a Bovano 6 3/8 inch round insert into a wooden plaque which can also be used as a trivet. The motif is a still life like scene of 6 Fruits round  plaque with 3 oranges, 1 pear, 1 two-tone apple, 1 bunch grapes in green bowl with black horizontal stripes.. It features hues of purple, red, orange, green, white and black.


Most likely this piece was made between 1952-1962, as after that Bovano shifted its focus to wall art, its current mainstay today. It is in excellent shape. It carries a standard gold paper Bovano label on it and well as three brass attached feet. Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today

 Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this Bovano enamel 2 blue vases round  plaque is not in perfect shape with a small area of missing enamel near the top of the taller vase and some spider lines dues to some crazing but it is a very interesting piece!


To me, it clearly shows the transition from what Bovano was doing after purchasing the firm from Brower. In the 1953-1964 period, Bovano concentrated on utilitarian decorative consumer articles but rarely used figural motifs on their ware. The round wooden framed plaques show the direction the firm would move in post-1964. Here the design is very Mid-century abstract art!  Three containers are shown in a very minimalist design of 2 shades of blue and black. The grapes are gold and outlined in black. The background is a blue over gold.  A few of these plaques have been found with the Ernest Sohn burnt signature on them, which is a mystery to me.  


All in all, an important piece in an interesting form.  Annemarie Davidson learned her enameling craft first from the great Doris Hall (1907-2001) in Cambridge, MA in 1957. In California she continued her studies with Curtis Tann. Her combination of geometric and organic form in her designs culminated in her most celebrated abstract designs, her Jewel line which features pieces of glass used to create free-form organic shapes which she calls Jewels. She also uses a sgraffito technique, incising straight lines from the center of her plate with the sharp point of a dart. 


This 9 1/2 inch plate, most likely is from the 1961-1962 time period. This ashtray features 3 large deeo red and 6 smaller deep red jewels arranged in pairs between the larger red jewels. The background color is a rich and lustrous green over gold. The underlying copper color can be seen near the edges. A prominent Palm Springs CA dealer James Elliot-Bishop on his website has named this pattern as Ghostline.


The back of the plate is signed with her charcteristic AD interwined intiails and her paper label which reads Annemarie Davidson handcrafted enamels Sierra Madre California. This is what I think is her earliest label with the black line separating the words handcrafted enamels and the words Sierra Madre, California. Every piece was handcrafted by her alone, from start to finish. Excellent condition.


The work of Annemarie Davidson was included in the seminal exhibit titled Painting with Fire which opened in Jan 2007 at the Long Beach Museum of Art. She was one of 30 enamelists included with a one page entry on her life and work. Her page is page 266 of the catalogue.   Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this is an early Bovano design and decoration. This item may well be from the transitional period of 1953 when the firm had just succeeded Brower as this size of dish and type of jewels is more characteristic of Brower pieces than later Bovano pieces, especially the rare use of white jewels.


This small dish measures 2 1/2 wide. It is counterenamled in a gold and greenish brown color which is different from the later black Bovano counterenameling. Though it has no label, I carries the inscribed name of Mary Decker, as did the two companion pieces I bought at the same time, each with a Bovano label on it.


This dish has 4 variegated jewels, carefully arranged, in a circular pattern. The layout of the colors and sizes of the jewels is perfectly symmetrical. The ashtray is in excellent condition. A very interesting item from a great firm.


Add it to your Mid Century enamel collection today.

Bovano enamel 6 Fruits round trivet pla $40.00

 

Bovano enamel 2 blue vases round plaque $20.00

 

Annemarie Davidson 9 1 / 2 red Jewel dish $105.00

 

Bovano small early studio jeweled dish $12.00

Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this is an early Bovano design and decoration. This item may well be from the transitional period of 1953 when the firm had just succeeded Brower as this shape of ashtray and type of jewels is more characteristic of Brower pieces than later Bovano pieces.


This chevron or palette shaped dish measures 15 inches long x 9 inches wide at its widest. It is counterenamled in a gold and greenish brown color which is different from the later black Bovano counterenameling.  Though it carries no label, I have an identical shaped piece with a label in my collection. It DOES have a very interesting label on it which states Distributed by George Rilling New York. It also has an etched name, Mary Decker on it. I bought three pieces with the same design and all signed, probably by the owner of the piece who purchased it.


This large dish has clusters of red, yellow and white jewels, some very small. The layout of the colors and sizes of the jewels is unusual. The ashtray is in  good condition though it does have many stress lines and its tip is bent down. A very interesting item from a great firm.


Add it to your Mid Century enamel collection today.  This Mid-century enamel item was created by a woman named Louise Evans, who lived in  California. Now deceased, she created this item in the early 1960s. I purchased this from her daughter Lee in late 2007. In her e-mails, the daughter stated that her mother had taken enameling classes in the early 1960s in southern California. Perhaps she worked with Annemarie Davidson or Mary Sharp or Elizabeth Madley or the great Curtis Tann.  The daughter didn't know the name of the teacher. 


What is very clear is that she mastered the enameling process as her works compare favorably with some of the best made in California at the time. 


This funky biomorphic plate measures 5 3/4 inches long x 4 inches wide at its widest point. It is a classic biomorphic  shape. The background is done in a technique pioneered by Edward Winter and used extensively by Harold Tischler. It has lines in pinkish gold with some hints of green at the rim. The  jewels on the top surface make me think of gumdrops and are done in tones of yellow and chartreuse!  The back is nicely counter-enameled in a dark bronze or brown color. She signed this piece with her initials LE.  It is likely this piece came from the year 1968 as her other dated pieces I own did which were purchased at the same time. She was a talented artist and in her daughter's words was "was heavily into copper enameling, lapidary craft and gardening".   Add this item to your enamel collection today!  This Mid-century enamel item was created by a woman named Louise Evans, who lived in  California. Now deceased, she created this item in the early 1960s. I purchased this from her daughter Lee in late 2007. In her e-mails, the daughter stated that her mother had taken enameling classes in the early 1960s in southern California. Perhaps she worked with Annemarie Davidson or Mary Sharp or Elizabeth Madley or the great Curtis Tann.  The daughter didn't know the name of the teacher. 


What is very clear is that she mastered the enameling process as her works compare favorably with some of the best made in California at the time. 


This plate measures 6 7/84 inches long x 3 1/4 inches wide  and stands 7/8 inches high. It is a classic biomorphic teardrop shape. The background is done in a technique pioneered by Edward Winter and used extensively by Harold Tischler. It has lines in pinkish gold with some hints of green at the rim. The  jewels on the top surface make me think of gumdrops and are done in tones of cobalt blue, light blue, chartreuse, yellow and clear!  The back is nicely counter-enameled in a greenish gold color. She signed this piece with her initials LE  It is likely this piece came from the year 1968 as her other dated pieces I own did which were purchased at the same time. She was a talented artist and in her daughter's words was "was heavily into copper enameling, lapidary craft and gardening".   Add this item to your enamel collection today!  This Mid-century enamel item was created by a woman named Louise Evans, who lived in  California. Now deceased, she created this item in the early 1960s. I purchased this from her daughter Lee in late 2007. In her e-mails, the daughter stated that her mother had taken enameling classes in the early 1960s in southern California. Perhaps she worked with Annemarie Davidson or Mary Sharp or Elizabeth Madley or the great Curtis Tann.  The daughter didn't know the name of the teacher. 


What is very clear is that she mastered the enameling process as her works compare favorably with some of the best made in California at the time. 


This single candleholder measures 5 inches wide and stands 1 1/2 inches high. The background is done in a technique pioneered by Edward Winter and used extensively by Harold Tischler. It has lines in pinkish gold with some hints of green at the rim. Over this background are vertical bands of color in hues of blue, 2 shades of green, orange, light blue.  One can see the background pattern of lines through these colored panels, truly gorgeous work. The back is nicely counter-enameled in a dark charteuse color. Though unsigned, I guarantee it to be a Louise Evans piece as it was brought directly from her daughter Lee. She was a talented artist and in her daughter's words was "was heavily into copper enameling, lapidary craft and gardening".   Add this item to your enamel collection today!

Bovano HUGE palette shaped jeweled dish $36.00

 

Louise Evans enamel biomorphic copper d $15.00

 

Louise Evans enamel biomorphic copper pl $15.00

 

Louise Evans enamel single candleholder $30.00

Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this covered bowl is very unusual for Bovano. Measuring 7 1/4 inches wide, it stands 2 5/8 inches tall without the cover. With the cover it stands about 4 inches tall.  All surfaces of the bottom and the cover are enameled except the outside rim of the cover and the brass finial.  Done on Bovano's trademark orange background the decoration is abstract and floral using gold outlining for the stems and leaves of the flowers made up of small jewels in pink, orange, yellow tones.  Black enamel on the cover provides great contrast. It is in great shape with no chips or dings to the enamel.  A very unusual shape for Bovano.  There is a gold paper sticker on the bottom. Add it to your MidCentury or American enamel collection today.  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 10 inch wide enamel 4 rest ashtray with a 1960s era pattern features 5 different color jewels on a chocolate brown background. I have named it Gumdrops! Each jewel measures more than one inch wide. The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses. It carries the gold paper Bovano label on the back. It is in excellent shape except for a small ding and some minor stress cracks near one of the rests. Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today.  Before the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano started in 1953, founded by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden, a man named Brower was doing excellent enamel work in Cheshire. He sold his business to the three men who would rename the business Bovano in 1953. His enamels were simpler than what Bovano would produce. The background of the front was often two tone and the back was counterenamled in black. In this small dish, the front is black and white and the back is black. His designs incorporated mostly small jewels which sometimes overlap. He liked to use white enamel jewels as well as red ones and sometimes clear yellow ones. In this 4 inch wide square dish, the design consists of three fish, two white the largest red one and a blue crosshatching like a net. It is in very good condition with only one tiny chip on one front corner. All in all, a great early Mid-Century enamel item.  Produced by the Villanti Company of Italy, this 2 rest enamel ashtray shows their distinctive use of heavy thick enamel in a colorblock application.  The piece is in very good condition.  Put it on a Heywood-Wakefield blond wood table and add a funky accent piece to your Eames era decor.  Beautiful blues in this Midcentury Italian piece. Price is for the pair.

Bovano 7" wide covered bowl $65.00

 

Bovano 10 inch 5 Gumdrops ashtray $17.50

 

Brower 4 inch square fish dish $20.00

 

Villanti Italy $25.00

Produced by the Villanti Company of Italy, this pair of enamel items shows their distinctive use of heavy thick enamel in a colorblock application.  The red piece  is in the better condition, with only two area of enamel loss on the back side. The other piece is the first piece I bought and I thought the gray was part of the desired effect but I know better now. This part is in bad shape, as a lot of the enamel on the front has been worn off. Need a piece for target practice. This is it!  Use this one as a real ashtray and put the red one on a Heywood-Wakefield blond wood table and add a funky accent piece to your Eames era decor.  Price is for the pair.  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 11 inch wide enamel plate features what I have named the Knight in Shining Armor pattern which consists of a mail clad knight carrying sword and shield. Both the shield and the horse's armor carried the French royal symbol, the fleur-du-lys.  It is one of the most unusual Bovano motifs I have ever seen. In fact, this is the only piece of this design I have seen by  Bovano. The background of the front done in shaded black around the central area feels like an early treatment. The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses and the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn is still there.  The 3 original felt pads are there but worn away. It is in excellent overall shape with no stress factures. Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today.  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 4 1/2 inch tall cigarette lighter features a great design. Each of the four sides has bold stylized red 4 petal flowers on a black background. This pattern is shown on page 69 of the Spring 2003 Modernism magazine in Alan Rosenberg's article on enamel. 


The bottom of the lighter has brown felt and the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn.  It is in very good shape but it does have some rubs to the black part of the enamel in a few places, though no chips or breaks. Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 7 inch wide enamel 3 rest ashtray features what I have named the Green Sunburst pattern which consists of alternating rays of 3 colors (gold, charteuse, teal green) coming out of a asymmetrically placed focal area of small enamel jewels in the same 3 colors. The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses and the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn.  The original felt pads are still there. It is in excellent overall shape  Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today.

Villanti Italy 2 enamel pieces $20.00

 

Bovano Knight in Shining Armor plate $45.00

 

Bovano Red Flowers enamel covered lighte $20.00

 

Bovano 7 inch Green Sunburst ashtray $20.00

Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 10 inch wide enamel 6 rest ashtray with a 1960s era pattern I have named Confetti features 2 different color jewels on a standard dark orange background. I have named it Twotone Confetti! the jewels in shades of dark red and a pinkish orange vary in size but are all on the small side. The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses. It has the standard Bovano gold paper label though it has faded and most of the three original tan felt pads. What is even more amazing is that it retains most of the original label from the Hudson's department store and its original price of $10 which was a good amount in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It is in excellent condition but does have two tiny stress lines on five of the six ashtray rests, not unusual. Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 6 inch wide enamel 3 rest ashtray with a 1960s era pattern I have named Confetti features 2 different color jewels on a standard dark orange background. I have named it Twotone Confetti! the jewels in shades of dark red and a pinkish orange vary in size but are all on the small side. The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses. It has the standard Bovano gold paper label and three original tan felt pads. What is even more amazing is that it retains the original label from the Hudson's department store and its original price of $5 which was a good amount in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It is in excellent condition but does have two tiny stress lines on two of the three ashtray rests, not unusual. Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 6 inch wide enamel 3 rest ashtray with a 1960s era pattern I have named Confetti features 3 different color jewels on a standard dark gold background. I have named it Tricolor Confetti! the jewels vary in size but are all on the small side. The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses. It has the standard Bovano gold paper label and three original tan felt pads. Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this three lobed bowl measures 6 1/2  inches wide and stand 1 1/2 inches tall and is what I have named the Flower Power ( my name) pattern. It has bold stylized chocolate brown and olive green 4 petal flowers on a mocha brown background. This pattern is shown on page 69 of the Spring 2003 Modernism magazine in Alan Rosenberg's article on enamel. It is shown there in red on black. This variation seems to be less common


The piece has no damage and is in excellent condition. It is missing the original gold circular Bovano paper label but retains the four black felt pads to protect the table surface. Add it to your Mid Century enamel or Bovano collection today.

Bovano 10" Tricolor Confetti ashtra $30.00

 

Bovano 6" Tricolor Confetti ashtray $10.00

 

Bovano 6 inch Tricolor Confetti ashtray $25.00

 

Bovano 6. 5" Flower Power enamel ash $15.00

Signed Hildegard, this is a fascinating example of Mid-Century enamel in that the artist has used small pieces of Venetian style millefiori glass as her jewels. The jewels float on a deep green background, much like a standard Bovano background. The edge has the chocolate brown color seen on Edwards Star pieces. The back is counter-enamled in a funky bright green color and the signature is on a panel of white with the letters in green. There is some damage to the piece. Two edge imperfections on the back and an area of stress cracks on the side near the yellow millefiori near the rim.  All in all, an interesting piece by an unknown maker.  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 10 inch long x 4 inch wide covered cigarette box features an 5 1/2 inch x 3 1/2 inch enamel top which has been fitted into the lid. 


What is most unusual about this covered box is that it contains two compartiments. Though I assume it was for cigarettes, perhaps it was for playing cards. The enamel lid has a bold stylized red and chocolate brown background onto which patterns of C scrolls in brown have been superimposed creating a two dimensional effect. It is one of Bovano's most fanciful designs. 


The bottom of the wooden box has four brown felt pads.  The inside of the lid has the majority of the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn.  It is in excellent shape. Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today  Made by well-known San Francisco artist Win Ng and signed with his name and San Francisco, this beautiful 4 inch wide low bowl is a masterpiece of enamel. Both Asian and Gay, Win Ng (1936-1991) was the subject of a recent 2005 retrospective at the Chinese Historical Society of America. 


Win Ng worked in enamel early on in his career. His primary work was in ceramics and fine art. He later partnered with Taylor to create the well-loved and collectible series of Animal Orgy mugs as well as high end kitcheware which carried the Taylor Ng mark.


This particular 9 1/2 inch wide bowl has a green blue oilspot background onto which jewels in two colors of cobalt blue and deep red have been added. The rim was done in a dark chocolate brown color. The back was left in its original copper with no counter-enameling and carries his cursive signature and San Francisco along with the numbers SB9 indicating it size I assume. The piece is in excellent condition and a good early example of Win Ng's career. Add it to your Mid Century enamel collection today.  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 7 1/2 inch long x 4 inch wide covered cigarette box features an enamel top which has been fitted into the lid. The enamel lid has what I have named the Crescent & Jewel patern which consists of a crescent of small turquoise and orange jewels surrounding two larger turquoise jewels. 


The bottom of the wooden box has four black felt pads.  The inside of the lid has the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn.  It is in excellent shape. Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today

Hildegard signed 8" low enamel bowl $28.00

 

Bovano Red double covered cigarette box $75.00

 

Win Ng 9 1 / 2" deep blue jewel dish $250.00

 

Bovano Crescent & Jewel covered cigarett $55.00

Produced in California by the Edwards Star Original company, this 9 1/2 inch enamel dish shows this firm's characteristic use of a bold dark base color and oblong jewels alternating with large wide panels. There are 5 deep orange / reddish oblong jewels and five chocolate brown fan sections. The center area is done in chocolate brown and lighter gold tones. There is no edge chipping or damage. Excellent condition. The back shows the copper metal of the body as it is not counterenameled on the back. 


This dish was made for the San Francisco department store Gump's, which is now closed  Before  the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano started in 1953, founded by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden,  a man named Brower was doing excellent enamel work in Cheshire. He sold his business to the three men who would rename the business Bovano in 1953.  His enamels were simpler than what Bovano would produce.  The background of the front was often two tone and the back was counterenamled in black. His designs incorporated mostly small jewels which sometimes overlap. He liked to use white enamel jewels as well as red ones and sometimes clear yellow ones. In this 9 inch wide bowl, the jewels are opaque in white and red, with some smaller yellow and clear jewels as well. It is in very good condition with only one tiny chip on the rim on the front. The one candleholder does have two larger chips but the other one is undamaged. All in all, a great early Mid-Century enamel set!  Produced in California by the Edwards Star Original company, this 9 3/4 inch enamel dish shows this firm's characteristic use of a bold dark base color and oblong jewels alternating with large wide panels. There are 5 yellow oblong jewels and five 2 tone green sections with a deep blue color border to each panel. There is no edge chipping or damage. It has the trademark edge which almost looks like it is beaded.  Excellent condition. There are some internal cracks to the oblong jewels but the enamel over them is smooth and not cracked. I can only assume the stress cracks happened in the firing process. The back shows the copper metal of the body as it is not counterenameled on the back.   It is signed An Edwards Star Original from Gump's, especially created for Joan and Peter Knott. Finding the owner's names is highly unusual for Edwards Star pieces.


This dish was made for the famous and elegant San Francisco department store Gump's, which is now closed  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 6 inch wide enamel 3 rest ashtray with a 1960s era abstract pattern features 2 colors: a chocolate brown background and a row of connected Golden jewels. This is one of the harder to find patterns by Bovano.  The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses with three black felt pads, one missing. The normal gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn is present and in excellent shape.  It is in excellent shape.  Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today

Edwards star Gumps brown 9 1 / 2 inch enam $62.50

 

Brower black enamel console set $25.00

 

Edwards star Gumps green blue 9 " e $70.00

 

Bovano 6" chocolate brown Gold Jewe $10.00

Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 6 1/4 inch wide enamel 4 rest ashtray features what I have named the Green Sunburst pattern which consists of alternating rays of 3 colors (gold, charteuse, teal green) coming out of a asymmetrically placed focal area of small enamel jewels in the same 3 colors. The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses and the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn.  The 3 original felt pads are still there. What is unusual about this piece is its basic shape, that being a circle with 2 flanges to the side which give it an Art Deco very geometrice shape. It is the only piece using this shape I have yet found.


It is in very goodoverall shape. There are some tiny areas of chipping to the enamel on the underside of the rim and one area of stress fractures but it presents well.  Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today.  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 10 1/4  inch wide enamel rimmed bowl features what I have named the Straw and Jewel pattern which consists of dark blue straw lines and smaller burgundy red, teal green and gold jewels strewn along the straws on a cloud like background which is multi-tonal and contains primary colors of pink and green with some white shaded areas. A very unusual background. It is a very abstract florial pattern if you like. The pattern reminds me of some of Kay Dennings jewelry work for Bovano as well as the early Brower pieces I have seen.


The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses and the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn.  All three original brown felt protective pads are still present. It is in very good condition. There one very time bruise to the enamel on the back side at the rim 1/16 inch in size. No damage to the enamel on the front or the front side of the rim.  The hanging plate rack is included but could be removed to use as a flat piece. Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today.  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 9  inch wide enamel bowl features what I have named the Straw and Jewel pattern which consists of black straw lines and smaller burgundy red, teal green and gold jewels strewn along the straws on a cloud like background which is multi-tonal and contains primary colors of pink and green with some white shaded areas. A very unusual background. It is a very abstract florial pattern if you like. The pattern reminds me of some of Kay Dennings jewelry work for Bovano as well as the early Brower pieces I have seen.


The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses and the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn.  One of the original felt pads is present but the other two are missing. . It is in excellent condition.  Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today.  Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 6 inch wide enamel 3 rest ashtray features what I have named the Green Sunburst pattern which consists of alternating rays of 3 colors (gold, charteuse, teal green) coming out of a asymmetrically placed focal area of small enamel jewels in the same 3 colors. The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses and the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn.  The original felt pads are still there. It is in excellent overall shape  Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today.

Bovano 6 inch Green Sunburst 4 rest asht $15.00

 

Bovano 10 " Straw & Jewel pink enam $25.00

 

Bovano 9 inch Straw & Jewel pink enamel $55.00

 

Bovano 6 inch Green Sunburst 3 rest asht $45.00

Annemarie Davidson learned her enameling craft first from the great Doris Hall (1907-2001) in Cambridge, MA  in 1957. In California she continued her studies with Curtis Tann.  Her combination of geometric and organic form in her designs culminated in her most celebrated abstract designs, her Jewel line which features pieces of glass used to create free-form organic shapes which she calls Jewels. She also uses a sgraffito technique, incising straight lines from the center of her plate with the sharp point of a dart. 


This 7 1/2 inch 3 rest ashtray, most likely is from the 1961-1962 time period. This ashtray features 3 large yellow and 6 smaller orange jewels arranged in pairs between the larger yellow jewels. The underlying copper color can be seen near the edges. A prominent Palm Springs CA dealer James Elliot-Bishop on his website has named this pattern as Ghostline.


The back of the plate is signed with her charcteristic AD interwined intiails and her paper label which reads Annemarie Davidson handcrafted enamels Sierra Madre California.  This is what I think is her earliest label with the black line separating the words handcrafted enamels and the words Sierra Madre, California. Every piece was handcrafted by her alone, from start to finish. Excellent condition. 


The work of Annemarie Davidson was included in the seminal exhibit titled Painting with Fire which opened in Jan 2007 at the Long Beach Museum of Art. She was one of 30 enamelists included with a one page entry on her life and work. Her page is page 266 of the catalogue.  

 Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 18 1/2 inch wide enamel oval ashtray features what I have named the Blue Dotpattern which consists of one blue Jewel surrounded by a blue and orange crescent shape of miniature jewels. 


The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses and the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn.  Two of original felt pads are missing. It is in excellent overall shape with only one stress mark to the large blue Jewel (which happens during its making as their later labels point out). Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today.  This beautiful enamel plate measures 7 1/2 inches wide. It features a golden center onto which jewels in deep red, green, orange and light green have been applied. There is a green border around the plate. There is some very minor edge chipping but it displays well. 


The back is counterenameled in a greenish color.There are two initials which were applied to the back in a yellow enamel. It loooks like JS but I am not sure.


It is a very nice piece of Mid Century enamel and may appeal to collectors of Bovano, Annemarie Davidson, Doris Hall, and others. Add it to your Mid-Century enamel collection today.  Annemarie Davidson learned her enameling craft first from the great Doris Hall (1907-2001) in Cambridge, MA  in 1957. In California she continued her studies with Curtis Tann.  Her combination of geometric and organic form in her designs culminated in her most celebrated abstract designs, her Jewel line which features pieces of glass used to create free-form organic shapes which she calls Jewels. She also uses a sgraffito technique, incising straight lines from the center of her plate with the sharp point of a dart. 


This 6 inch wide low bowl is unusual for its pattern. It is a very freeform mix of her usual controlled Grooveline pattern and small specks of gold on the red background.


The back of the plate is signed with her charcteristic AD interwined intiails but lacks her usual her paper label which reads Annemarie Davidson handcrafted enamels Sierra Madre California.  Every piece was handcrafted by her alone, from start to finish. It retains its original three felt pads. Excellent condition. 


The work of Annemarie Davidson was included in the seminal exhibit titled Painting with Fire which opened in Jan 2007 at the Long Beach Museum of Art. She was one of 30 enamelists included with a one page entry on her life and work. Her page is page 266 of the catalogue.

Annemarie Davidson 7 1 / 2 Jewel enamel as $48.00

 

HUGE 18" Bovano Blue Jewel party as $30.00

 

Gold Green Jeweled Enamel 7 1 / 2" Pl $20.00

 

Annemarie Davidson 6" Grooveline bo $125.00

Annemarie Davidson learned her enameling craft first from the great Doris Hall (1907-2001) in Cambridge, MA  in 1957. In California she continued her studies with Curtis Tann.  Her combination of geometric and organic form in her designs culminated in her most celebrated abstract designs, her Jewel line which features pieces of glass used to create free-form organic shapes which she calls Jewels. She also uses a sgraffito technique, incising straight lines from the center of her plate with the sharp point of a dart. 


This lighter measuring 4 1/2 inches tall x 2 1/2 inches wide,  is most likely from the 1961-1962 time period. The wood box into which the lighter mechanism was placed was made by another California craftsman named Blaine Rath with whom Davidson has collaborated since 1959. This ashtray features the pattern a Starfish on it.. All in all, a stunning combination of utlity and art.


The lighter is in excellent condition and is not signed with Annemarie Davidson's characteristic AD intertwined initials on the bottom of it but I guarantee it to be by her.


The work of Annemarie Davidson was included in the seminal exhibit titled Painting with Fire which opened in Jan 2007 at the Long Beach Museum of Art. She was one of 30 enamelists included with a one page entry on her life and work. Her page is page 266 of the catalogue.  

 Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 8 1/2 inch wide enamel plate features what I have named the Sunburst pattern which consists of alternating rays of 4 colors coming out of a asymmetrically placed focal area of small enamel jewels in the same 4 colors. The back is done in the typical black counterenamel Bovano uses and the gold circle label which reads Handcrafted by Bovano of Cheshire Conn.  The original felt pads are missing. It is in excellent overall shape with only one stress fracture on one side of the triangle when held to the light. Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today.  Produced by the Cheshire Conn firm of Bovano in the 1960s, this little gem of an ashtray featuers a robin's egg blue background with raised jewels in the pattern of a snowflake. There is a black line which is part of the design which gives the impression of a Christmas ornament. The darker blue enamel jewels have purple jewels among them and at each point of the star. It carries the original Bovano gold paper label on the back. It is in excellent condition. Use it as a bonbon dish or just a great accent piece in your Mid-Century decor.  Annemarie Davidson learned her enameling craft first from the great Doris Hall (1907-2001) in Cambridge, MA  in 1957. In California she continued her studies with Curtis Tann.  Her combination of geometric and organic form in her designs culminated in her most celebrated abstract designs, her Jewel line which features pieces of glass used to create free-form organic shapes which she calls Jewels. She also uses a sgraffito technique, incising straight lines from the center of her plate with the sharp point of a dart. 


This 6 inch wide low bowl is unusual for its motif. It is a two tone overlapping snowflake or American Indian design. This plate features orange and brown areas on a gold background.


The back of the plate is signed with her charcteristic AD interwined intiails and her paper label which reads Annemarie Davidson handcrafted enamels Sierra Madre California.  Every piece was handcrafted by her alone, from start to finish. It retains its original three felt pads. Excellent condition. 


The work of Annemarie Davidson was included in the seminal exhibit titled Painting with Fire which opened in Jan 2007 at the Long Beach Museum of Art. She was one of 30 enamelists included with a one page entry on her life and work. Her page is page 266 of the catalogue.

Annemarie Davidson enamel starfish light $20.00

 

Bovano triangular 8" Sunburst Dish $80.00

 

Bovano 5" Snowflake blue enamel as $15.00

 

Annemarie Davidson enamel bowl $30.00

Produced by the Cheshire CT firm of Bovano (started in 1953 by John BOnsignor, Gene VAn Leight and Warren NOden), this 9 3/4 inch wide enamel plate with a 1960s era abstract Jewel pattern features 9 equally spaced yellow jewels connected with deep bronze or brown smaller jewels. The background of the front of the plate is a variegated greenish bronze.   The back is done in the typical dark counterenamel Bovano uses with three green felt pads.  It is in excellent shape with no nicks to the edge. Add it to your Mid-Century Enamel collection today   

Bovano 9 3 / 4" 9 jewel notched plate $25.00

  



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