ars longa * 07-024. Alexander Calder Enameled candy dish.

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07-024. Alexander Calder
Enameled candy dish
Reed & Barton
USA, c. 1960
Enameled silverplate
Manufacturer's mark & facsimile signature

Note: This item was actually found on July 9, 2007. It is post-dated since I did not have a way to make an entry while away from home.

Seattle is new thrifting territory for me, which is always an exciting prospect. This afternoon Kate and I stopped at a few shops while running other errands, and we found this nice little Reed & Barton dish.

I've seen this line attributed in the past to Alexander Calder, but have never seen any substantiated proof of that attribution. There is a chop mark on the bottom that is exactly the same as Calder's initial style signature used on his artwork, though, and the shape is very Calder-esque. If anyone has clarification, I'd love to hear!

Found on July 18, 2007 in Shoreline, WA.

Brad Lindberg said: Thanks for this, by the way.... I didn't know you had given it to us until a couple of days later. Brad
7.23.07WEBSITE

Brian said: i saw a similar piece from reed and barton today at the thrift store, but was buying so much other stuff decided to pass it buy. the blue was scratched in a few places, but i just thought it was lovely. maybe it'll still be there....
7.30.07WEBSITE

jack schneider said: looking for a price on this reed & barton calder candy dish jack 314-368-7510
3.25.08

Scott said: Sorry Jack, I'm not sure. You might want to check eBay ... I think that'd be your best bet in finding current pricing.
3.25.08WEBSITE

Charlie said: Hi there. I've been visiting your site for years now (we seem to have very similar tastes and collecting habits) and thought you might like to hear this. I currently have one of these bowls listed on ebay and I used the phrase "often attributed to Alexander Calder" in the listing. Today I received ebay's equivalent of a cease and desist order along with the threat of the removal of my selling privileges. Evidently the mere mention of Calder's name in regards to these pieces is a violation of the Calder Foundation's intellectual property rights. Who knew?
4.2.08

Scott said: Thanks for the information Charlie. I've been hearing a lot of stories recently abut this happening to upstanding ebay sellers. The Eames name is one that frequently results in cease and desist orders when used to describe items from the mid-20th century ("Eames Era"). There is also some company claiming ownership of the term "Danish Modern" which I think is particularly ridiculous. In any case if the Calder Foundation is denying this is a Calder design, which it seems they are, I think they probably know better than I. I've often seen these attributed to Calder over the years and the style seems plausible as being one of his designs, but a closer look seems necessary. I'm glad you enjoy the site, and hope you'll continue contributing!
4.3.08WEBSITE

Nicholas said: The interlinked AC on these pieces is apparently a reference to the alloy used - or so if was explained to me by the Calder Foundation when I made the same mistake. Too bad - the price plunged after it became known these are not Calder pieces.
9.9.08

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