Tag Archives: ceramics

A Melon for Ecstacy.

Posted on May 2, 2018 by pennimania

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 →

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Raphanidosis: the birth of the vegetable tortures.

Posted on March 31, 2018 by pennimania

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 →

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SylvaC Stories: Bunny Boilers.

Posted on April 24, 2017 by pennimania

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 →

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La Fontana delle Scimmie.*

Posted on April 22, 2017 by pennimania

*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 →

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Egrets: I Have a Few.

Posted on January 14, 2017 by pennimania

Ever since I came back from Florence I’ve been thinking about egrets. In fact, I’ve already written about them here: The Lake of Lettuce The one pictured above is a lesser egret – you can tell by the black beak and … Continue reading →

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Lares et Penates II: Knick Knacks

Posted on August 9, 2016 by pennimania

The Oxford dictionary defines a knick knack as a “cheap ornament, trinket, trifle, bauble, bric-a-brac, bagatelle, gimcrack, gewgaw, bibelot or kickshaw.” A sample sentence in the dictionary uses the word thus – “Her flat is overflowing with knick knacks.” But … Continue reading →

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Lares et Penates.

Posted on August 8, 2016 by pennimania

Henry Willet* once described the commonplace pottery ornaments on our mantelpieces as a ‘kind of unconscious survival of the Lares and Penates of the Ancients.’ The lares and penates were the household spirits of the ancient Romans. They were represented … Continue reading →

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Voices from the Kiln Room

Posted on February 11, 2016 by pennimania

I use ceramic materials because they can have a uniquely lustrous and satiny appearance, and they are often the most appropriate medium to serve a particular concept. I love the way clay can be bent into any (almost) shape I … Continue reading →

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A Heap of Candied Apple, Quince, and Plum, and Gourd; with Jellies Soother than the Creamy Curd

Posted on November 4, 2015 by pennimania

I’m aware of the fact that it’s more than slightly cliched to post pictures of autumnal bounty, but I’m afraid that sometimes it is inescapable. Especially when you find stunning seed pods like these. This is the seed pod of … Continue reading →

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79 Perth Road

Posted on September 23, 2015 by pennimania

Every day I walk down the Perth Road and I pass by an old church, Ryehill, which was converted into flats in the 1980’s. But without its tower, it is not quite the dignified place of worship of its glory … Continue reading →

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