Royal Copenhagen “Baca” decor, (l. to r.) 719/3176 (28cm) and 714/3223 (20cm)

Collecting is a funny thing in that your own biases can sometimes prevent you from embracing something new. Take the “Baca” decor from Royal Copenhagen, produced from 1964 through the 70s. This highly popular range of relief and printed designs, to include the two above, can be easily found online today — and at good prices, if you are patient. While searching for innumerable other pieces I kept coming across them, but just couldn’t pull the trigger. Too “brown,” I thought. Too “washed out.” I’ll admit I wasn’t keen on stylized birds or fish on ceramics, either — that is, until I saw them in person at an antiques show. The first thing which struck me was the subtle texture of the reliefs… then the pearl-like nature of the individual elements… and finally the small, almost forgotten aspects filling in around the main designs. It was a revelation — here was a line which defied appreciation via images, as only close inspection could truly render an accurate assessment. It didn’t take after that for me to buy some pieces so I could enjoy them on my own… and keep them as a reminder that the barriers preventing us from trying something new are often ones we erect ourselves.