CRICKET CAGES AND APTWARE

As many of you know, aptware is my favorite thing. It is the initial reason I opened my shop, to help people acquire this unique, highly sought after French pottery. I discovered it years ago thanks to Carolyne Roehm and Charlotte Moss, but realized quickly it was not easy to find. Since then, it has become much more recognized, featured in magazines and such, but remains elusive and exclusive.

Aptware, named for the small town in France where it originated, was developed around mid-18th century. The beautifully colored marbleized faience pottery was naturally inspired by the colored soils in that region. Aptware is mainly from Apt, but also other areas of Provence like Le Castellet. 

About five years ago, I was lucky enough to locate the very best aptware artisan, and opened my online shop with a very small collection. The shop morphed into something bigger than I had originally intended, but aptware was the original inspiration and remains the most popular product in my shop today. After several visits to Apt, and becoming much more educated about aptware and marbleware, I have acquired several vendors who offer different shapes and sizes, different colors and blends. I am thrilled to supply so many clients with their own personal collection of this very special French pottery. Surprisingly, I have sold well over 100k worth of aptware in the last few years. My passion continues with only one complaint: the difficulty in fulfilling all the orders I receive. Many of the artisans work independently, and there are just not enough hours in a day to manage the orders I am sending in. Luckily, my clients get it, and are willing to wait, and so far, it has always been worth it.

Recently, I received a small batch of light green. When receiving a shipment, in most cases, the majority of the pieces are spoken for. However I always order double on special pieces, plus a few extra random pieces, knowing that they will sell eventually.

This particular batch had a pair of the most beautiful vases I’ve ever seen.

A client, who had ordered in the past, requested a pair of vases, and although some direction was given, we relied on the artist to produce them based on her talent. The flowers are her specialty, and they are incredible.

I ordered double, so I have an extra pair! They are exquisite. The detail makes them truly special, one-of-a-kind works of art, .

Here is the tureen this same client ordered.

Scalloped fruit / salad bowls.. . .

Here are a couple of pieces from my personal light green collection ~ the beginning of the obsession!

I always seem to have an odd number of random pieces. If I order 12 bowls, for example, they may send 14 to accommodate for broken pieces, and then a client purchases ten, so I’m left with four.

Here are a few things in stock, ready to ship. . .

The blue plates below are sold, but the plates on the bottom are available. They are amazing.

So that’s the update on aptware. As always, there are a few pieces in stock and on the website. Message me for more information about the pair of vases, or anything you see here. Some pieces never make it to the online shop. An email to interested clients that I keep organized in a file usually does the trick. Or sharing photos on social media.

CRICKET CAGES

This should probably be another post, but I’m in the mode, so here we are. . .

I recently discovered cricket cages, and this new fascination sent me on an intense search. Although I begin the search with the intention to sell in the shop, I fell in love with the collection as the deliveries arrived. I noticed Charlotte Moss posted a photo on her instagram recently (see below) and had several in her highly coveted cabinet of vases.

They can be used as votives, or tiny vases if you use a small glass insert. I am enchanted with the name - can’t you just imagine a little cricket in there? They are also referred to as brush pots. I adore them!

Here’s the photo from @charmossny . . .

Here are a few that may end up in the shop. . .

My personal collection. . .

Used as votives with tea lights in the evening. . .

As you can see, I’ve been enjoying them quite a bit. Some of them are inkwells, but they mix in nicely with the cricket jars. If I were a professional blogger/influencer, I would cut single pink peonies for each jar. Can you imagine the blue with the pink down the center of a dining table?

Let me know if you are interested in purchasing any, and I can contact you when I am ready to let them go. Regardless, a fun find! Perhaps you will see them next time you are antiquing!