Tag Archives: China

The new Freakin’ ‘tiquen mobile

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Freakin' 'tiquen Mobile

Freakin’ ‘tiquen Mobile 2023

Introducing the new “Freakin’ ‘tiquen mobile”! It has been quite a year with both of us getting new cars. And we decided to take “Tachi” (short for pistachio) for a spin and head out to Good Stuff in Doylestown, PA.  We never have shopped here before. And while we are always on the lookout for something good, we weren’t expecting to find something. But, to be completely accurate, we weren’t planning on finding many somethings.

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As soon as we walked in, we were both drawn to a display of what looked like a set of vintage deco china.

Mepoco Ware

Mepoco Ware mark

The mark, “Mepoco made in Japan”, meant nothing to us as we are unfamiliar with this company. A quick online search and our thoughts were confirmed that these are vintage deco china. And this is what we found.

Mepoco Ware

Breakfast is served

‘Mepoco’ was not a manufacturer. It was a US china import and distribution company in business between 1919-1935. They dealt with pottery of varying quality – mostly cheap – from several countries including Germany, Japan, and Czechoslovakia. The items were inexpensive knock-offs of china shapes and patterns made by other high-end companies. And, these were made for mass consumption during the depression years.

Mepoco Ware

Mid-day coffee

This set has a strong deco design of brown “air-brushed” polka dots decal. Note that an effort was made to make this set special by including gold trim tastefully applied to various pieces. The china itself is nicely translucent and while thin, doesn’t feel cheap.

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Now, do we need more china? No. Did we buy all of it? Obviously, yes; 44 pieces in all. But it was 50% off!

Mepoco Ware

After dinner demi-tasse

However, some of the wares, such as this set, are quite nice. But in general, Mepoco Ware is not highly sought after.  This may be a nice entry collectible for someone just staring to collect.

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And so, we had an unexpected Freakin’ ‘tiquen weekend. And a nice way to break in the new Freakin’ ‘tiquen mobile!

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As always, happy hunting!                                                                                                                Chris & Anthony (The Freakin’ ‘tiquen Guys)

A Wrong Turn Leads to China!

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Yes, a wrong turn leads to china – well, technically earthenware.  On a beautiful spring-like day, Anthony and I went on a casual adventure of antiquing to some of our favorite shops. Our first stop was Gristie’s Buck County Antiques & Oddities. To our surprise and dismay, Gristie’s closed, apparently in November of 2018.

 

Undeterred, we headed to our next destination, Antique Haven. Just a short distance down Rt 611. Heavy road construction only offered a slight delay (and no detours). This is a great store with something tempting us each time we are there. Without fail, we struggled whether to purchase a nice chrome and black lacquered console table. In the end, we walked away without it.

 

After a delicious lunch across the street at Someday Cafe & Roastery, it was time to start home. If you head over to our post, Springing into the 2017 “Freakin’, Tiquen’” season., you will read more on Gristie’s, Antique Haven, and Someday Cafe & Roastery.

 

While there are several ways to get to these stores and back home, we usually come and go the same way. This day, enjoying the weather, the views on a winding wood-lined road along the Delaware river and enjoying light conversation, we turned to cross “the” bridge back into New Jersey. Actually, we turned onto “a” bridge leading us into Milford, New Jersey.

 

A block or two from the bridge we came across Allen’s Antiques. Chock full of antiques and collectibles, it deals with a variety of small items. In the very back, in the furthest corner possible, Chris spotted the top of a deco casserole. Due to the precarious position, behind and underneath other items, Anthony was not too sure the dig was worth it. Undeterred, Chris plowed ahead, moving items from the floor and generally rearranging displayed items to reach his objective.

 

To say the heavens opened and angels sang would be an exaggeration. We were pleasantly surprised to find several pieces of earthenware in the Hermes pattern, circa 1939, by Wedgwood & Co.  To be clear, Wedgwood & Co should not be confused with Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Ltd. The more familiar Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Ltd. never included “& Co” or “& Co Ltd”.

 

This earthenware was manufactured at the Unicorn Pottery and Pinnox Works at the Wedgwood & Co (Ltd) factory in Tunstal, Stroke-on-Trent. Tunstal is a village in the township of Tunstal Court, about four miles from Newcastle, England. Yellow, tan and cream with a brown band around the rim, in all, a covered casserole, several plates, a tea-cup and creamer came home with us for the hefty price of $4.00.

So, take a chance and go off your intended path. You’ll never know what treasures are hiding in plain sight. Happy hunting!

Chris & Anthony (the Freakin’ ‘tiquen Guys)