When my father died in February this year I began to read his memoirs; they are written in an old lined book, stories of his childhood, National Service and university days. I read about his two visits to Copenhagen which he took in the late 1950s as part of his study of architecture at Cambridge. I wished I could have spoken to Dad about his trip but thought the next best thing was to follow in his footsteps and take a trip there with the family.
We had a fabulous holiday in Copenhagen at Easter, thanks to some great advice from Emma at A Scandinavian Sojourn who sent me a detailed email with ideas for canal trips, restaurants and the sights worth seeing.
On our return my mum was talking to Dad’s sister who said that in the 1950s Dad had brought a piece of pottery back from Copenhagen as a gift for his mother. When their mother died in the 1970s, my aunt kept the dish but now she knew of my interest, she was more than happy for me to have it as a memory of my father.
A few weeks ago the black, shallow dish, 30 cm in diameter, was given to me. It was quite water-marked as it had been used as a plant stand but I managed to clean it up. Maybe I’m biased, but I think it’s a beautiful simple piece, typical of the clean lines and unfussy Scandinavian design that my dad loved so much.
The mystery of who made the dish still remained. To try and establish its provenance I enlisted my blogging friend, Emma, to be my detective in Copenhagen. I sent her these photos, showing the distinctive lettering on the base, and asked if she could help.
Yesterday I received an email from Emma: her husband had managed to track down the make. He had received confirmation from Danish ceramic experts that the distinctive mark was that of Herman August Kahler. The Kahler ceramic company began in 1839 with his father, Herman J Kahler in Nestved, Denmark. The son, Herman August (1846 -1917) introduced the HAK signature which continued to be used until the factory closed in 1974. Herman was famous for his glazed ceramics but as yet I don’t know whether this piece was one of his or, more likely, a later piece made in the 1950s at the time my dad was in Denmark. I am now trying to find out a little bit more about the dish, armed with this fantastic news from Emma and her husband. However, no matter what I discover, this piece of pottery will always be treasured. My father, a young man in his early twenties, chose it, wrapped it and carried it carefully home to his mother over fifty years ago. It’s my turn to look after it now.
The theme for this week’s Gallery is ‘Vintage’.
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Mum's Gone To …
Travel tales of an empty nesterWebsite by 79DESIGN, Lincolnshire Web Designer
I think when an object's provenence is so personal it really makes it even more special… and links your family's story in with the wider world.
What a lovely post, a great piece of sleuthing, and a beautiful piece of family history.
@Steve – at the end of the day it's just a black pottery bowl, not worth very much, but it was so exciting to find out its provenance. I just wanted to ring Dad and talk to him about it, find out where he bought it…and I couldn't.
@sarah – I found it quite incredible that two people I don't know, but have a link with through blogging, would be instrumental in finding out the information. I'm so grateful.
What a lovely item & a super story. Good luck with the rest of the search!
D'ye know I never thought about going to Copenhagen.
You might just have done the tourist board a favour. I'm off to check cheap flights 🙂
Trish that is so fascinating, and so lovely that you followed in his footsteps with your family. What an adventure! I think it is a beautiful piece, but the added story about your father makes it extra special.
It's a beautiful dish, and the memories you have associated with it make it even more special! Just so pleased we were able to help a little! Emma 🙂 xx
PS. Macy, if you need some pointers drop me a line!
@jfb57 – I'm excited about carrying on the search!
@Macy – one of the best city breaks we've been on. Have a look at the Copenhagen labels on my side bar if you want to read about our trip.
@Suzanne – it's been an exciting few weeks, discovering the dish existed, eventually getting hold of it and then having the history unfold only yesterday.
@Emma – Mr and Mrs Marple, I can't thank you enough 🙂
What a great story to go with a beautiful dish. Love it.
It looks gorgeous, and how extraordinary that you have found out so much about it already! A lovely memory from your Dad.
@If I could escape – Thank you. It's a simple dish with an interesting history!
@Funky – It looks fabulous in my new kitchen: an old item but it looks so modern and, I think, very stylish on the new worktop! Dad would have been so chuffed that I was putting it on show.
A fascinating story. I agree, the simplicity of the design is irresistible. I love the fact that new technology (blogging and the internet) has helped track down an old object's past.
This is why we hold and touch beautiful things….it links us to the time and person involved in their creation……that bowl is super..bet it looks good in the new kitchen.
@mothersalwaysright – That's what made me smile, the internet coming up trumps!
@Libby – I really love it: I see it every time I walk in the kitchen and I can't tell you how pleased I am that it's on show and not sitting getting damaged with an old plant in it!
I love a good dish! Wotcha gonna put in it? Danish pastries I hope.
My mum had bought a set of coffee cups from a junk shop – cos she liked them – for a friend's son's engagement present aeons ago – and then decided to give them something else as she wasn't sure about it. Years later we were using them (quite unusually as the 'nice' stuff only got used for 'visitors') and I idly turned a cup upside down (empty now before you guffaw) and squeaked – Susie Cooper it said. They are now MINE! Obviously I now don't use them – not that they're just for visitors – but we use HUGE great mugs here – but they look nice in the cupboard…. They;re a perfect size for children but they're definitely not allowed. Stupid aren't I? Things should really be USED! Enjoy your lovely dish!!
@Madame SG – how brilliant to find out the cups were Susie Cooper: fabulous designer. My mum collects Maling pottery so both of us have pieces of it in our homes. My house is very modern but these bits and bobs from years ago look very contemporary.
At the moment the dish is empty – danish pastries are so the wrong colour!!
So cool you were able to track down the information on it! And I bet your father would be proud!
Trish, this is a really neat story, I soaked up every word: the poignancy of the connection to your Dad, the detective work and the role of the other bloggers. Plus yes with the Scandis, form always follows function and the results are timeless as shown with this piece even if it was used as a plant dish…Love your word "provenance" too, must weave into my conversation somehow..
I am sure your Dad would have been delighted!
When do we get the photos of the new kitchen?
@Samantha – He had never mentioned it before so it's such a shame it didn't come to light before he died and then I could have found out where he bought it and why it appealed to him. But I guess I can work that out for myself.
@About last weekend – I was looking online at the Kahler Design website with all the new items that are now being made: gorgeous items with such simple designs. May have to buy some. Provenance! My word of the week!
@Funky – I was waiting for my new blinds to come before I posted some photos but may have to just post some rather than wait any longer as have left you all in suspense!