Antique Bernard Bloch Terra Cotta Humidor of a Child Falling into a Hat, 5 1/2"H x 5 1/2" x 4", marked BB/251
This is a Bernard Bloch terra cotta humidor of a child falling into a hat. According to the estate sale, it has a minute professional repair to its lid and the humidor. Since the work was excellent and we cannot tell or see what the repairs were, this rare humidor is being offered in as is condition. Any question, please ask before purchasing it. Please check out the pictures as they are important parts of the listing and disregard the lighting glares.
Our Ref: 157
About Terra
Cotta and Cold-Painted Items:
“Painted (polychrome)
terracotta is typically first covered with a thin coat of gesso then painted. It has been very widely
used but the paint is only suitable for indoor positions and is much less
durable than fired colors in or under a ceramic glaze. The typical firing
temperature is around 1,000 °C (1,830 °F), though it may be as low as
600 °C (1,112 °F) in historic and archaeological examples.”-Wikipedia.
For this reason, many
terra cotta objects (such as match holders/strikers) lose the paints on the
surface easily as seen in many vintage/antique examples. Some paints could even
be washed off with alcohol or similar solutions if they are not fired up to
1,000 °C. Therefore, terra cotta objects that have most paints intact are
hard to find and are highly desirable by collectors.
“Fired terracotta is
not watertight, but surface-burnishing the body before
firing can decrease its porousness and a layer of glaze can make it watertight.
Some types of terracotta are glazed to decrease permeability.” -Wikipedia
How to care terracotta and cold-painted items: (1) Since
Terra Cotta objects are not 100% water proof especially the vintage/antique ones,
do not wash them as water would get into the objects which might have crazed
and result in cracks. Instead, clean it with a slightly damp cloth and clean it
gently. (2) Since not all terra cotta objects are fired up to 1,000 °C,
some paints on certain surface are like cold-painted paints and wear off
or can be removed easily. Do not use alcohol or acetone as they could unevenly
remove the paints in some unstable areas making it look like damaged. (3) Do
not use bleach as it could eventually damage the clay and the item could fall
apart into many small pieces later. Please ask question before
purchasing it if you are not familiar with cold-painted items.
The above information
is from our research and experience of collecting/selling terra cotta and cold
painted items for decades. It should be used as reference only. You should do
your own research and decide if it is useful for you. All rights reserved.