Urn Information

I have these 2 urns that have been in my family for a long time. I have been told by my parents they are quite old (whatever that means ;-) They measure about 10" tall and 5" wide. On the bottom of each is painted "IRAN". Does anyone have any information about these? Thank you!
~Lisa

 

My only comment is that if it says "Iran" and you can read it in English, it was made for the tourist trade. That's usually the case with items from foreign countries when there is English on them.

 

I wonder what IRAN is in Iranese...?

 

Also, "quite old" isn't definitive. I'm 66. I have things from my childhood that don't seem old to me, but are considered "quite old." If you can try to at least find out a decade - like the 40s or 50s - it would help. That's the accepted meaning of 'vintage.' For example, vintage 1950s. Vintage doesn't mean anything without some kind of date. Accepted terminology for antique is 100 years. Except cars. Cars I think it's 25 years.

 

And computers.. Which are last month.

 

Have at it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_alphabet

بپتثجچحخدذرزژسشصضطظعغفقکگلمنوه

 

Persia became Iran in/about 1935. Sooooo they *could* be that old but they don't look like they have enough wear.

I do like them though.

 

So true Bev! I will have to ask them. They can overexagerate especially when it comes to family pieces. I remember they gave me this beautiful Chippendale highboy that they said was worth LOTS of money. Well, I had it appraised by Bonhams and it could have been worth 500K+ but the legs were replaced at one point which brought the value down to about 20K. Unfortunetly, as a stay at home mom I had already set my mind on paying off our mortgage. That was a big let down I was kind enough to keep the value information to myself so I didn't disappoint my parents

 

Considering there probably aren't that many around these days, I'd say they have more value than a pair from any US pottery.

 

My friend's parents bought Oriental rugs, rare books and collectible glass and china and told her that her inheritance was in the house. Unfortunately, her alcoholic brother lived in the house for ten years after they passed and didn't take care of anything. The rugs were all motheaten, the books had mildew and water stains from leaks he didn't have fixed and he broke a lot of the china and glass. It was very sad. I'm all for passing antiques down in the family, but only if they are pristinely cared for. Better to give the kids money.

 

I thought 25 years was CLASSIC ..??

 

Quite possibly a dumb question...Because the bottom of the urns have a very rough finish, can I make the assumption this is pottery? Instead of porcelain. Thank you!

 

Looking at yours it's a bit hard to tell as they almost look like a white stoneware. I'll give you a little archaeologist's trick for telling the difference in sherds you might try.

Both porcelain and stoneware are fired very hot and the clays vitrify and become non-porous (mostly) while pottery is fired at a lower temp and doesn't vitrify so remains a little porous.

So here is the trick, if you have an unglazed portion, touch it to your tongue. If it sticks a little it's pottery, if it doesn't stick at all it's either porcelain or stoneware. (usually)

 

The trick is to CLEAN it before you lick it !!!!
Heehehehehe !!!!!!

 

Wow! Very interesting! It appears to be pottery; it has a little stick/pull when I put my tongue on the unglazed part. Thanks!!!!

 

HAHAHA!!!! Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Kind of gross knowing it's been sitting in many different places. But the trick seemed to work.

 

I've been told repeatedly that a little dirt never hurt anyone

 

Hi,
Gram always said "You have a bushel of dirt before you die, just don't do it all in one sitting."
greg

 

Hi,
There was a huge influx of Iranian pottery in the 1970s. I bought several pieces since they "looked" old and I loved the colors.
greg