Bay Keramik 93-60 (60cm)

Early on in my WGP collecting journey I became fascinated with pictures of German collections featuring ludicrously large vases; I just HAD to know what it was like to own one of these giants. The issue? Shipping from Germany for plus-size vases was typically as expensive as the vase itself! I finally stumbled across one seller who had this piece and was willing to ship it to me for a lower (i.e., no insurance) cost. I eagerly bought it but upon arrival, the reality of what I had purchased sunk in. This was not a nice vase to display on a shelf. This was not a fine piece of pottery, meant to be appreciated and murmured over. This was an OH MY GOD IT’S A KAIJU RUN type of vase, with a weight, thickness and angry red glaze to match. It was perhaps the only thing I ever purchased where I asked myself, “What did I do?” I’ve since come to grips with Mr. Big Stuff, but its usefulness evades me still. It is too wide to be an umbrella holder, too inelegant to be a hall vase, and just generally too much. It’s not just me, really it isn’t! A few years ago, I took it to a local antiques show and watched eyes go wide when attendees noticed it. No one was brave enough to buy it, though. I know one day I will find it a new home. It deserves to be featured in some MCM home, where it’s outlandish personality would be right in step with outlandish MCM furniture and treasured by some equally outlandish owner. Until that time, however, this Godzilla of a vase will continue to quietly patrol the depths of my basement.