From: mouse@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: rec.antiques
Subject: Re: Sasha Bratsoff plates
Date: 6 Nov 92 07:47:37 CST
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services

In article <w!j196=@rpi.edu>, peapud@aix.rpi.edu (Diane Hope Peapus) writes:
> Greetings:
> 	I recently purchased a set of dishes... I was struck by the 
> design and color, and didnt' care about the cost or the value, but now I am
> wondering if anyone knows anything about them. 
> 
> 	They are a gorgeous mauve splattered glaze and gold leaf where each 
> piece has a different design.  They are signed with a picture of a rooster
> and: 			Sascha Brastoff 
> 			   California
> 			      USA
> 
> 	Anyone ever heard of it?
> 
> 			Thanks,
> 			diane@xray.chem.rpi.edu
-- 

Hi, Diane...

Oh, my!  Yes, indeedy, I do, do, do, know them.  Yum!  (Guess what,
you've found a nice treasure, and I'm green with slithering envy 8-) ).

Well, now, down to info on Sascha Brastoff:  He was the son of
immigrant parents, encouraged to develop his artistic talents.  He
began working sometime in the late 1940's from a studio (built for
him by Rockefeller).  Though at various times he was known as a 
dancer, sculptor, costume designer, jeweler, painter, it is ceramics 
which are, today, exciting to and HIGHLY admired by collectors.
When his ceramics came out, they were among the highest-priced on
the market.  All the design work was done by Brastoff, personally;
he had a staff of about 150 who executed his designs.  Wares which
signed with his full signature indicated that they had been made 
by him personally and are priced even higher (not just back-stamped
"Sascha B.").  Brastoff is still alive (I think), and works in
Los Angeles, CA (do other netters out there know more info about
him???)  He is producing "Sascha Holograms" which are distributed
by the Hummelwork Company.  He also produced things in resin which
are very scarce.  

Specifically, since your pieces are marked with his full name,
you have a goody, indeed.  You indicate you have a full set of
dishes... consider that 1 ten-inch plate lists at about $175 two
years ago.  (If you were to send me a list of the pieces, I might
be able to be more specific on pricing.)

Morover, it is hard to see examples of his work as they are not
often listed.  I keep a homemade index of misc. hard-to-find info,
and sometimes I take a ceramic piece to a Xerox machine and copy
the front and back for the index so that I will be able to recog-
nize it in future...  Would you be willing to send me such a
front/back copy for my file???  (I'd be happy to reimburse you
for copying and postage.)  

Happy to hear about really nice things.  You've made my day today.

Nancy  8-)

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