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Next Event: September 24 - 25, 2022 10am-5pm both daysRandolph Street Market 1341 W Randolph St, Chicago

Lady Head Vases… Everything Old Is New Again

COLLECTIBLES EXCLUSIVELY FOR RANDOLPH STREET MARKET BY NENA IVON, nenasnotes

I have been wanting to do a post on lady head vases since I started my articles for Randolph Street Market, I got a bit of a “let’s do it now” push when I saw the following photo posted by my friend Toni Canada, when I asked if I could use it she informed me that her mother-in-law collected them and sent me an additional photo…absolutely fabulous collection.

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Toni included this note with the photos

“The collection of Marguriete Canada handed down to her son Rick Canada. Rick is now the “caretaker” of the collection.

My mother-in-law would put little notes inside each vase, where she acquired the vase; if she purchased it, how much she paid for it; if it was a gift, who she received it from… very sweet ????”. A Nena’s note…what an excellent idea let’s all start doing that!

Thank you so much Toni for sharing these treasures, the photos and your beautiful note, with us.

I became enamored with lady head vases as a little girl. Looking at me today you wouldn’t think I was very sick as a child (we won’t go into details here!). With each bout of something or another my wonderful Daddy would bring me a lady head vase filled with 13 sweetheart roses (I believe now referred to as growers roses). He got off the El at Howard Street, we lived in Rogers Park on the Northside of Chicago, there was a florist underneath the station. Actually the vases began by being commissioned by florists to sell with their bouquets. I probably believed they were made especially for me… I’ve always been a romantic. I amassed a huge collection and totally adored them. They, I am sure, helped develop my interest in the glamorous world, to my young eyes, of fashion!! I thought a perfect follow up to last months post on hats…

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

These charmers were always very proper in their attire, hats…of course…pearls…usually…gloves…sometimes and always, always beautifully made up with lush mascared lashes and ruby lips… I was in fashion heaven. This was one of my favorites….want to find her again. This and the one below from Betty Lou Nichols and signed.

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Another of mine

In doing a bit of research for this post I found out the origins of these nostalgic pieces that occupied a place in time in the mid-20th Century, they, (like so many other objects) fell out of favor, they are now highly collectible. Guess where you can find them… Randolph Street Market, of course!

There were several manufactures who produced these lovelies in the 40s to 70s. Here are some company names that can help you identify your vase: US manufacturers – Betty Lou Nichols and Henry Holt and Japan manufacturers – Napco, Inarco, Lefton, Enesco, Relpo and Reubens. There was also a trend for celebrity vases such as Lucille Ball, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, etc.

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Lucille Ball and…

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Grace Kelly and…

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

One of many Marilyn Monroe interpretations this one a rare example…

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

A beauty definitely a 50’s glamour girl…

I am concentrating on Betty Lou Nichols pieces in this post because I am familiar with them.

Betty Lou Nichols was a talented California artist that created some of the most sought after head vases in the collecting world. I found that most, if not all, of my collection were hers. Wish I had them now. When collecting anything always look for a hallmark, a maker’s mark anything that can identify it as the real deal. Always, always engage the vendors in conversation they are experts in their collections and want to share their knowledge with you. You will learn so much more about what you already have or when you want to add items to your treasurers or you are on the hunt for something new that you didn’t know you really wanted but definitely can’t live without!!

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

A book, as always…

Here are some ways to display or actually use your vases, with flowers and other suggestions.

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Love this collection and its mirrors…I am obsessed with mirrors, are you?! Obviously on shelves….or

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

For your make-up brushes et al…..or perhaps pens etc. on your at-home office workplace…

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Flowers, of course… beyond charming…

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Love this collection… wouldn’t it be fun to do at a shower, luncheon or tea to put at each guests place as a remembrance… start collecting now for future events.

I have fallen in love with lady head vases all over again, have I temped you…hope so!

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

Lady Head Vases Randolph Street Market

—–
by Nena Ivon
www.nenasnotes.com
www.facebook.com/Nena Ivon
www.instagram.com/nenasnotes

All photos from Pinterest photo credits unknown.

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Betty Lou Nichols collecting Grace Kelly Inarco Lady Head Lefton Lucille Ball Marilyn Monroe Napco nena ivon nostalgic randolph street market trends Vases vintage

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Join @katepearcevintage as she explores Randolph Street Market and scores some awesome deals! ⭐️ Watch til the end to see how Kate styles these pieces in her home 😍

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TOMORROW, August 10th at 4:30PM, join us for 🌊 Lakehouse Vintage Market at @fairmontchicago !

There will be more than 20 local vendors focused on vintage home goods, jewelry, paintings and more goods to browse after work. Admission is FREE! 🛍🎉 See you there! 

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Here’s everything @xtinavision found at Randolph Street Market in July! 🤩🛍 Which piece is your fave?! ⬇️

We’ll be BACK in the bustlin’ West Loop ⭐️ Sept 24+25 ⭐️ randolphstreetmarket.com 🔗 Join us!!!

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Hi all, this is Sally, the person who sends you the emails and you see at the front gate, I am the creator, owner and recipient of all bills addressed to the Randolph Street Market. I see it's customary that business owners share their stories and so I shall now. For adults only, I'll see you crossing the street by the way so stop now if you're a prude!!!

Bottom line, I need to have fun - A LOT OF FUN - and any career path I took was going to be in the general direction of downtown FUN CITY!! I think the Randolph Street Market is about the best fun I could ever imagine. It combines the things that are the most fun for me: learning about history, art and fashion; shopping; and socializing with my favorite, most interesting people. What it doesn't do is bore me -- I CANNOT handle boring people or boring places; I am always so happy being home so when I go somewhere it better knock my pantaloons off.

While I now produce this almost 20 yr-old antique market, my professional event career started at age 25 when I opened my own party planning company called Paint Me A Party, renamed in 2000 Image Pilots Global Event Navigators, producers of the "World-Famous Randolph Street Market"! 

But let's go back to a time before big time careers and motherhood, to my childhood as indentured servant growing up in Chicago's northern suburbs. That's where I got my start in the hospitality business as my mother would take me from my comfortable spot in front of the TV and drop me off at her friends' homes, where I was to be "of service" at their dinner parties. I was not asked if I wanted to leave the TV set and spend my Friday and Saturday nights hanging up coats, keeping water glasses full and washing dishes for maybe $5 dollars. 

I'm pretty sure I never actually used soap, just hot water, and once to show the client how much good sanitation meant to me, I went full Christo and wrapped their entire kitchen in Saran wrap including their stovetop, sink and cabinets... they did not value my art installation titled "Meticulous Cleanliness" -- so I was DONE with them!! (read comments for more..!) ⬇️
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