Northwest Coastal Indians Continue To
Produce Art Objects

BOOK REVIEW

Contemporary Art on the Northwest Coast, by Karen and Ralph Norris, highlights the work that is now being done by 50 artists today. Those represented are members of the Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth and Makah people.

They live on the western edges of Canada and the United States. The Nuu-chah-nulth are a grouping of 14 village nations occupying the western edge of Vancouver Island. the Makah reservation is on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. The Coast Salish are more widely spread, occupying parts of the west side of Vancouver Island, the west side of the British Columbia mainland, and also their traditional lands along Puget Sound, the Hood Canal and parts of the Olympic Peninsula. The more than 100 Salish tribes are connected by a root language.

Since the Salish are by far the most numerous of the three groups of artists included in this book, you will find most of the examples will also have been done by them.

The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC, and Whistler were a boon to many of the artists, as large pieces of Northwest Coastal art were used in the buildings and other venues. Other large installations of contemporary art are seen in tribal buildings and casinos. The Olympics, overall, shared the traditions of Northwest Coastal art with the world.

There is archeological evidence that the “Salish style” of decorating masks, boxes and other items has been done for hundreds of years. The common themes, still in use today, are based on the natural world, and the stories and legends that have evolved over time.

The 400 photographs that illustrate this book are divided into groups by subject matter. These include canoes, paddles, weaving, baskets, hats, and jewelry; and sky world inspirations, earth world interpretations and water world revelations. The final chapter is devoted to “Glass: the new Horizon.”

A list of the artists whose work is pictured is included.

Contemporary Art on the Northwest Coast (ISBN: 978-0-7643-36441-6) is a 2010 Schiffer Publication. It is priced at $59.99. Note: it is not a price guide. Check with your local bookseller or see the online catalog at www.schifferbooks.com. You may also contact the publisher at (610) 593-1777.

Donna Miller

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Book On Cape Cod Glassware Is Updated

BOOK REVIEW

The second edition of Avon’s 1876 Cape Cod Collection, by Debbie and Randy Coe, is now available from Schiffer Publishing. This colorful ruby red glassware, made from 1975 to 1983, has become a popular line with glassware collectors. The design is based on a Sandwich glass pattern from the 1800s.

Avon, best known for its cosmetics lines, departed from tradition when it began marketing the Cape Cod pattern of glassware. It is a dinnerware line, and altogether, the company produced 37 different pieces. A dinner table could be set with all the standard pieces and numerous serving pieces and decorative items, in addition to the plates, tumblers and goblets one expects to find in a table setting. The line was produced for Avon by the Wheaton Glass company.

Values have been updated, and the authors have also included the original selling prices for each item. A new last chapter has been added showing two embroidery kits made by the Bucilla company for Avon, to provide coordinating linens for the Cape Cod glass. One kit contained a table runner; the other 8 napkins. The kits included red embroidery thread to use on the white background. The design is the same one found on the glass.

Avon’s 1876 Cape Cod Collection (ISBN 9780-7643-3679-9) sells for $19.99. Check with your local bookseller or online at www.schifferbooks. com. For an autographed copy, contact the authors at (503) 640-9122 or email elegantglass@ aol.com.

Donna Miller

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The Pottery Family Wade Lasted 122 Years

BOOK REVIEW

Ian Warner and Mike Posgay have been long recognized as experts on Wade pottery. Their most recent book, The World of Wade, Figurines & Miniatures II, is now available from Schiffer Publishing.

The Wade family of potters opened their first two potteries in 1867 in England. After a number of name changes, they eventually settled on Wade & Co. John Wade, one of the founders, in partnership with his nephew William Wade formed a second company, J. & W. Wade in the 1890s. Other family members formed additional companies through the years, all incorporating the name Wade into them in some form.

The output of the early years was utilitarian, producing such items as porcelain insulators and pottery fittings for the textile industry. It wasn’t until the 1920s that George Wade and Son Ltd. added decorative figurines of ladies and animals to their product line.

A very thorough history of Wade, with all the name changes, is included in the book. George Wade and Son was run by family members until 1989, following the deaths of both George and his son. It was taken over by Beauford PLC which gave the potteries a new name: Wade Ceramics Limited. In 1999, Wade Ceramics Limited was sold again and is now a privately owned company, and was still in production at the time this book was writing (2010.)

Among the topics covered in this book are the Van Hallen figurines (1927-1941,) animal and bird figurines (1927-1950s,) miniature and novelty figurines, nursery rhyme figurines, Walt Disney figurines, and more. It also includes special issues made for Wade Club and Fair, private commissions, promotional items, money banks and Christmas figurines, all through 2010.

It does not include the Wade Irish porcelain and the Whimsies, each of which has its own book (The World of Wade Ireland and The World of Wade Whimsies.)

A thorough listing of back stamps and biographies of the most important designers and modelers are other features of the book. There are 1,850 color photographs picturing the Wade items; current values are included for most pieces.

The World of Wade, Figurines and Miniatures II (ISBN: 978-0-7643-3628-7), hardback, is priced at $49.99.

Donna Miller

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