285
284
Celia Goodman’s Saturday Evening Girls Pottery Boston at the beginning of the 20th century was a city in flux. The population was changing as immigrants from Italy and Central Europe settled in the North End. Women were entering the work force in increasing numbers. These new realities were not without issues, which reform-minded philanthropists tried to resolve. Reading clubs were seen as part of the solution, and one of these evolved into the famous Saturday Evening Girls group. Here was a place where young women could meet, learn, and work in a safe environment. Using ceramics from the Paul Revere Pottery, they decorated with rich and colorful glazes, the wares were simple, but elegant; charming, but never saccharin. Art to be lived with, enjoyed, and cherished. The following service was made for Celia Goodman (pictured above) by her fellow decorators as her wedding gift; the collection has descended in her family.
284 Saturday Evening Girls Pitcher Hand-decorated pottery Decorated by FLW for Celia Goodman, both SEG decorators, Boston, Massachusetts, 1920 Handled pitcher in two-tone blue with goose decoration on circular medallion, ht. 4 1/4 in. Provenance: Family descent. Note: It was the custom that the girls decorated for each other as a wedding gift. SEG decorator Sarah Galner’s wedding service is part of the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts. $600-800
285 Saturday Evening Girls Decorated Plate Hand-decorated pottery Decorated by Fannie Levine for Celia Goodman, both SEG decorators, Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1920 Two-tone blue glaze with central landscape medallion with white house, cutout handles, artist’s initials, dia. 9 1/2 in.
286 Two Saturday Evening Girls Decorated Plates Hand-decorated pottery Made for SEG decorator Celia Goodman, Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1920 Each in two tone blue with central tree decorated medallion in green with striated sky, one decorated by Albina Mangini, kiln pull on base, each dia. 8 3/8 in. Provenance: See Lot 284. $600-1,000
Provenance: See Lot 284. $1,700-2,300 287 Three Saturday Evening Girls Decorated Plates Hand-decorated pottery Made for SEG decorator Celia Goodman, Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1920 Two-tone blue surround with a central tree medallion in spring green, brown, with striated sky impressed Paul Revere Pottery mark, each dia. 9 3/4 in. Provenance: See Lot 284. $900-1,500
Provenance: See Lot 284. $300-500
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288 Eight Pieces of Saturday Evening Girls Pottery Hand decorated pottery Made for Celia Goodman an SEG decorator, Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1920 Bowls decorated by Albina Mangini, one plate decorated by Fannie Levine, all with central tree medallion in various interpretations, medallion in green and brown glazes, twotone blue surround with linear black line accents, ht. 1 1/2, dia. 5, plates 6 1/4 in.
Additional information and photos at www.skinnerinc.com
289 Saturday Evening Girls Squirrel-decorated Covered Vessel Hand decorated pottery Decorated by Albina Mangini for Celia Goodman, both SEG decorators, Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1920 Vessel with lid in blue two-tone glaze with circular medallion of a squirrel on a branch in white, brown, and green glazes, black linear accents, chip back top edge, ht. 4 1/2 in. Provenance: See Lot 284. $400-600