Posted by In the flotsam and jetsam of a thrift store, once in a while you find a gem. Something truly special, not just a “money maker.” Today was that day. I examined dozens of items, pawed through dubious “artwork,” and rifled through piles of linens. It was slim pickings. As usual.
Except for this lidded pot.
It’s in a burnished dark brown glaze with a textured/combed edge.
Gosh this handmade piece was intriguing and then I flipped it over. It was signed “Baba” and dated 1961 with a peace symbol in the middle. Yowee!
I’m guessing its an amateur piece made by, dare I say it, a hippie! Someone loving life, making pots and perhaps smoking a bit of the devil’s lettuce.
I enjoy pondering who Baba is or might have been. (I did find two noteworthy ceramicists with “Baba” as part of their names–Baba Wague Diakite and Takashi Baba–but neither are old enough to have made this .) As I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, I also wonder if this was a local piece. San Francisco was the famous for being a big part of the hippie movement. Think Haight/Ashbury. The Grateful Dead. Janis Joplin.
And of course 1967 spawned the Summer of Love in San Francisco with flower children coming from all corners of the country looking for love, drugs and rock and roll.
But I digress. The only thing I know for certain–this 1961 lidded pot is unique. It has an earthy look. A tribal vibe. A minimalist ethic. Would look good in many decors.
Will it appeal to everyone? Well no. But it doesn’t need to because I know there is someone out there who will appreciate this one-of-a-kind ’60s piece like I do!
As always, happy hunting,
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 
I didn’t know the peace sign was so early in the 60’s, but just read it was from the 50’s! I grew up in Walnut Creek, and my older brother was one of those early hippies! Not in Walnut Creek of course, he had moved out by then. My mother used to say of his long hair, “As long as he keeps it clean.” That pot is such a great find! It’s nice someone has been taking care of it all these years.
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Love that quote by your mom…”as long as he keeps it clean.”!! (Did he stay a hippie long?)
I was pretty excited finding that pot! 😊
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Yes, he did. He actually, at just turned 75, is pretty much still a hippy. He had some local S.F.area success in a band in the 70’s and 80’s, and while the rest of his friends “grew up” and moved on (or were drafted, when he had a medical exemption) to more average lives, he didn’t. Think of the stereotypes, he was it, communes and all!
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