'80s Ceramic Swans
In the 1980s, companies like Dynasty and Andre Richard Co. manufactured lines of Deco-style ceramic swan washcloth holders (the rags or hand towels would rest on the swan’s back, at times rolled).
Now staples of the “Figurine” shelves at your local Goodwill and increasingly making an appearance on eBay and Etsy, they couldn’t help but catch our eye. Especially when we found the purple-hued swan shown at the far left, which broadened the spectrum of these goodies typically found in peach, mauve, forest green and country blue tones.Rather than using these ’80s Deco ceramics to hold towels, perhaps displaying them in a colorful row makes a bigger statement! They’ve definitely got something. But is that something a rad flashback to ’80s Art Deco revival style, or do these little treasures represent a fad that’s seen better days? We can’t seem to help ourselves…
…but Mirror80 wants to hear from YOU:
Are ’80s ceramic swans still rad or a long-forgotten fad?
Leave a comment and tell us what you think!
I like them! There are tons of them in thriftstores here in Sweden! But they doesn't look like yours in the picture, they are more like flowerpots 🙂 I have a black and a white one, check out my 80's section on my blog (kategorier:80-tal).
I saw a mintgreen swan once, I regret that I didn't bought it!
I like your blog!
Thanks for your comment, and I’m SO GLAD to know about your blog! You’ve done an amazing job of covering so many areas of ’80s design! I look forward to reading more (and to linking to your blog as well). I found your entry featuring the swan, and I like that it can be used as a container. Thanks again!
Thanks! Glad you like it 🙂 I have put up a link to yours. There aren't many 80's blogs around! People are more into 50's, 60's design. It's good in one way, when visiting thriftstores, yardsales etc, I got to have it all by myself 🙂 But within a few years, I think the 80's stuff will be just as popular as the 50's,60's are now.
Thanks so much for linking to my blog! I will feature yours in my next post (and I've added you to my blogroll). I agree with you that it's nice to have our pick of '80s treasures until a major '80s interior design revival happens : – )
So glad to hear that the ceramic swans r popular again. If anyone is interested, I have a forest green one manufactured by the Aquarius company. Would like to provide to someone who enjoys having them.
Namaste…
Thank you, Gracie! It’s funny how things come back in style if you keep them long enough. Thank you for your offer about the green swan. I have that swan (great minds shop alike), but if anyone else writes in, there may be a taker. Thank you again!
I think just about anything can be restyled into radness. Especially if you start with something as great as a swan! Color and composition are powerful, powerful tools.
Thanks for the feedback, Selah! I would have to agree with you on the color and composition comment. And you certainly have an eye for that! I also think there's power in numbers and collections are naturally intriguing.