Author Archives: pennimania
The Man from Monsanto: he say no!
I don’t much like eating pineapples – they make my mouth hurt, but I do admire their stylish form. In a previous post I briefly mentioned Wedgwood pineapple and cauliflower ware and how much I have been influenced by … Continue reading
The Vegetable Tortures: Myxomatosis. (Trigger warning: contains distressing image)
Cauliflowers have proved a very fruitful design source for ceramics; the delicious texture of their creamy, curdy centre that contrasts so well with the emerald leaves has been an absolute gift to anyone who works with white earthenware and copper … Continue reading
A Melon for Ecstacy.
A woman for duty, A boy for pleasure, But a melon for ecstasy. – Old Turkish proverb For some months I’ve been playing about with the idea of the Vegetable Tortures. I would like to be able to say that … Continue reading
Predatory Snails: the dark underbelly of Tyrian purple.
If you’re interested in greed, luxuria and over consumption (other wise known as pleionexia) you can’t help being fascinated by the idea of sea snails being literally milked to death to produce a few drops of a precious dye. I … Continue reading
Raphanidosis: the birth of the vegetable tortures.
Rhaphanidosis is the act of inserting the root of a plant of the raphanogenus (commonly known as a radish) into the anus. It is mentioned by Aristophanes as a punishment for adultery in classical Athens in the fifth and fourth century BC. … Continue reading
SylvaC Stories: Bunny Boilers.
Once upon a time, rather more years ago than I care to remember, I found a dear little green pottery bunny in a junk shop on the Isle of Wight. As I have a predilection for green ceramic items I … Continue reading
La Fontana delle Scimmie.*
*warning blog post contains references to Florence (again) This is the Museo delle Porcellane di Boboli, an exquisitely faded small palazzo in the gardens of the Pitti Palace. It has a superb collection of porcelain and chinaware and delicious … Continue reading
