Majolica in the Movies: The Reivers

I was watching an old Steve McQueen movie the other day called The Reivers based on a William Faulkner novel. The story concerns a lively fellow, naturally played by McQueen, who "borrows" an auto–-and the auto owner's 11 year-old grandson–-for a trip that will open the eyes of the young man and teach him all about life. It's one of those coming-of-age type movies that were popular in the late 60's and early '70's. The story is set in the first decade of the 20th Century in Memphis, Tennessee.

One of the main sections of the movie takes place in a brothel where McQueen has a girlfriend he wishes to marry. When he arrives at the brothel door we know instantly we're in a house of ill repute because the door is answered by an elderly woman with a little too much makeup and jewlery, and the surroundings just drip with gaudy color, shiny brass and decadence. Now, mind you, this movie was filmed in 1969 so what we're actually seeing is the set director's idea of 1910 gaudy decor.

A prominent cobalt blue art nouveau floral majolica vase sits on a table in one of the bedrooms. It could be French, Austrian or Bohemian.

It reminds us that for a very long time majolica was generally considered gaudy, tasteless, and the epitome of bad taste, and 1969 was on the tail end of that period. Of course today no serious antique collector or dealer would share that feeling, but 1969 was a very different time.

It reminds me of the lyrics to an old Pete Seeger song made popular by the Byrds just a few years before the movie, To Everything ,Turn, Turn, Turn, There is a season Turn, Turn, Turn, And a time to every purpose, under Heaven.

To view The Reivers trailer go here.

Wedgwood's Ocean Pattern

Where Minton and George Jones ruled the majolica market in England, Wedgwood dominated the export market.

Wedgwood majolica Ocean plate

Wedgwood's largest buyer was the Victorian American consumer and the American consumer loved Ocean. Though it wasn't the largest series the company produced, that distinction goes to Fan, it was by far the most popular pattern in the American market. Sometimes referred to as Shell & Seaweed, it is one of many gorgeous majolica patterns made by various companies inspired by sea life.

There are two patterns made by Wedgwood that carry the Ocean name. The first one is the earliest and most commonly found. The plates feature a large shell surrounded by waves, with a sprig of seaweed draped across it. The pattern was one of the earliest specialty patterns made by the company in Argenta starting in 1870 but of course it was also made in conventional glaze. Hollowware pieces usually had a ground color of ivory, turquoise or cobalt, but sometimes can be found in gray or brown.

Wedgwood also had a problem with Ocean being copied, specifically their Ocean jug. The culprit is believed to be Hawley & Co., who copied registered designs by other potteries as well. It is easy to tell the copies by their crude glazing and lack of a Wedgwood mark on the base.

Wedgwood majolica Argenta Ocean small plate

Wedgwood majolica Ocean cup & saucer

Wedgwood majolica Argenta cup & saucer

Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean plate

Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean plate

Wedgwood majolica Ocean 7" plate

Wedgwood Ocean majolica butter pat.

Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean butter pat

Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean butter pat

Wedgwood majolica Ocean pitchers

Ocean jug copy attributed to Hawley & Co.

Wedgwood majolica Ocean Oyster Tray

Wedgwood majolica Ocean Oyster Tray, 

Wedgwood majolica Argenta Ocean Oyster Tray

catalog number 2837

Wedgwood majolica Argenta Ocean teapot

Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean jug

Wedgwood majolica Ocean tea set

Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean ice cream

Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean salmon platter

Wedgwood majolica Argenta Ocean plate

Wedgwood majolica Ocean salmon platter

Page from the Wedgwood pattern book showing the 

design of the Ocean oyster plate

Wedgwood majolica Ocean oyster plate

Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean oyster plate

 Some wonderfully whimsical serving pieces were also created as go-alongs.

Wedgwood majolica Ocean spooner

Wedgwood majolica Ocean spooner

Wedgwood majolica Ocean butter dish

Wedgwood majolica Ocean condiment set

Wedgwood Argenta majolica sardine box

Wedgwood majolica boat platter

Wedgwood majolica sardine box

Wedgwood Argenta majolica sardine box

Wedgwood majolica Argenta boat platter

The second Ocean pattern made its debut in the late 1880's and is very different in look and feel. It is not easily found today. It was sometimes referred to in the Wedgwood pattern books as Shells.

Wedgwood majolica Shells oyster plate

Wedgwood majolica Shells oyster plate

Wedgwood majolica Shells oyster plate

Wedgwood majolica Argenta Shells oyster plate

Wedgwood majolica Shells salad set

Wedgwood majolica Argenta Shells salmon platter

Wedgwood majolica Shells gravy

Wedgwood majolica Shells Argenta plate

Wedgwood Shells dessert plate

Wedgwood majolica Shells sardine box

Wedgwood majolica Shells sardine box

  

Wedgwood Ocean is one of the most easily found Wedgwood patterns in the United States. As such the prices have stayed reasonable and within the range of most majolica collectors.