You remember my recent post about the Fiesta collection I used to own? And how I lament my decision to sell it? I referenced a Fiesta yellow footed compote that used to sit on my kitchen table back in the days when I lived in Cambridge, MA. That bright pop of yellow and the simple, yet beautiful lines of the compote made it one of my favorite pieces.
Well, reader Kelli reached out to me in the comments, saying that she had that compote and was about to sell it, and several weeks later, here we are.
It arrived yesterday. Isn’t it gorgeous? The timing was perfect – it looks like it was meant to be sitting next to those tulips.
My plan is to put it in the center of the kitchen table when I move the fern back out to the porch.
I’m torn about the fern, which is looking better than it did on the porch, simply because light is coming at it from all sides. But it won’t do well with the air conditioner, which sits in that window. So it does have to go back outside. I’ll have to turn it more often. (As you can tell, I’ve bonded with the fern.)
Anyway, back to the compote. I’m so happy to have one again! Thank you so much, Kelli. Kelli lives in my home state of Michigan. Michiganders are the nicest people! There, I’ve said it.
In other news, imagine my happiness when I saw that a Sleepy egg cup was up for auction on eBay.
Then imagine my shock when I saw the price:
Whoa! I don’t think so.
What makes this frustrating is the fact that I NEVER see Sleepy egg cups come up for auction. And to finally see it, but listed at a ridiculously exorbitant price? Big sigh of disappointment.
There’s a little story about these cups. The one you’re looking at in the above listing is the original design for the cup. There are also Sleepy egg cups out there that look exactly like Sneezy; the same dwarf, same facial expression, only the name is Sleepy, not Sneezy.
Both are collectible: one for its accuracy, the other for what must have been some sort of weird production choice. I’d love to know the real story behind it. Anyway, maybe I should play the lottery today…perhaps I could come up with $400.00. I’m going to follow the auction simply because I’m curious. Will someone actually buy it? Will there be multiple bids? Or will the auction time out with no bids?
You can almost buy a whole set of the egg cups for that amount. In fact, I’ve seen them listed for $350.00.
We had one of our movie nights with Doug and Rick last night. We watched The Misfits, one of my favorite movies. So powerful. The stories about that film! Marilyn Monroe was often late to the set. Arthur Miller, her husband at the time, was the screenwriter. They were in the process of separating. Gable insisted on doing some of his stunts, one of which was in the scene where he gets dragged by a wild Mustang. One day after the filming was completed, Gable had a heart attack and eleven days later, he died. Monroe died the next year. Montgomery Clift (one of my favorite actors) died five years later. I think it was the best work of both Monroe and Gable. It’s a haunting film, directed by the great John Huston (who apparently was often late to the set because he’d been up all night gambling) and one where I have to cover my eyes at times. The scenes of them roping the wild mustangs are difficult to watch. But the story and the power of that film! The four of us talked about it for an hour afterwards.
And Rick, who is becoming an excellent baker, made a flourless chocolate cake. Oh my heavens! We cheated on our diet, of course. You would have, too!
Okay. Have to go mail the bills.
Happy Thursday.
i hope you get “sleepy” (in more ways than one … ha not ha)!
claudia, i don’t mean to embarrass or offend you about money and i don’t want to put pressure on anyone else, but can i put $25.00 to the cause? offering because you said you don’t find “sleepy” very often, because i know what it’s like wanting to complete a set of something and most of all because of your kindness and generosity to me and everyone else here. it’s not much, but i’d be glad to do what i can to help you get this cute little “sleepy”. okay? just let me know and i’ll send it right away.
kathy in iowa
You are so kind, Kathy. But the price is rather outrageous! If I was independently wealthy I might spring for it. But the person selling this has overpriced it – even if it is rare, and it is – the most I could see charging would be 100 – 150 dollars. But thank you so much for your generous offer. Much love.
I love the yellow fiesta compote. I find compotes very useful for displaying all manner of items. I have never collected fiesta but I have admired it many times in antique stores. That little Sleepy egg cup is adorable, but the price is outrageous! Loved your flower pictures!
It’s such a sunny yellow color, too.
Thanks so much, Judy!
The yellow compote looks perfect on that table in your cottage. So happy you were able to purchase it from Kelli. Sometimes…you can go back!
The price for Sleepy seemed high to me…but then, I have no reference point. One of these days…he will come your way, and at your price point.
I’ve seen recipes for flourless chocolate cakes before. Now…I want to try one. Enjoy your day! ;)
It’s a ridiculously high price. It’s not what they’re going for these days. Thanks, Donnamae!
oh that fiesta compote. just the color alone! but the simplicity of it!
so absolutely beautiful! loving it! and I laughed. I would be like that with a fern too!
but its tough love. tell her she will spend this winter back inside with you! :D
I have only seen the Misfits once. and for me once was enough. though it’s amazing.
I’m like you… a rich and moving picture with many underlying elements.
but I couldn’t stand the watching of the chasing down of the mustangs. I was with Marilyn.
screaming and crying for them to STOP. very sad when Gable died. and with a little son on the way. how proud and pleased he would have been to know that!
We all agreed that we can only watch it every 5 years or so. If that. Those scenes break my heart – as they’re supposed to.
Thanks, Tammy!
What a sunny color your compote is, Claudia. The color goes with practically anything you’ll want to place in it.
Wow, that’s a steep price for a collectible egg cup, even if it is a rare Sleepy. Keep on the lookout! I look around for you when I see a thrift store or “antique” store.
Way too steep a price, Wendy!
The compote is gorgeous. It made me smile just looking at it. I’ve taken a snapshot of the eggcup so I can reference it when I’m out and about antiquing. You never know what you’ll find and I would love to stumble across it for you.
You’re so sweet. Thanks, Susan!
The Fiesta compost is beautiful and the tulips are just perfect with it. Wish they would last forever, like so many fragile things.
I’m sorry Sleepy is so expensive. Personally I wouldn’t give in but I totally understand. It will be interesting to hear what happens.
We’ll put the movie on our list since we almost always love your suggestions. We watched The Words the other night. I would love to know what you thought about this movie. There were lots of innuendos. It was made in 2012.
Hope you and Don have a lovely day.
Cathy
Sorry for the auto correct! Compote!
xo
Oh, I’m not giving in. I’m just curious to see whether anyone buys it at that price!
I don’t know of The Words, Cathy. I’ll have to check it out! Thanks.
I love your new Fiesta bowl! I have some Fiesta oatmeal bowls and some fruit (or ice cream) bowls. The oatmeal bowls you can hold in one hand while you are eating and the bowl warms up that hand. Being cold in the morning and all that. Your fern is lush and so green. Just beautiful. But it is big and if you don’t move it outside it will be eating your eggs in the morning when your back is turned. “Feed Me!” LOL. Enjoy your day.
Oh, we can’t do anything at that table, Tana! No room! Imagine what it would be if it got bigger! (And it’s a lot bigger than it was when I brought it inside.)
Oh I love your Fiesta ware bowl! Such a pretty color. I really like Fiesta ware but I have a lovely set of hand made pottery that I use. I have, however purchased Fiesta ware for my daughter even though she doesn’t have a place of her own yet😁. Flourless cake – oh, I would definitely forgo my diet for that!!!
This is the original, vintage Fiesta, Jane. I don’t know how old this particular piece is, but it’s at least 50-60 years old.
I have a set of everyday dishes, but I’m a pottery and china collector. It’s my weakness!
It’s beautiful and I know the new stuff doesn’t compare to the vintage, but at least it has the bright colors! My pottery which was done by a local artist is very earthy in color. I am an avid pottery nut. I am running out of places to put my collection! I totally understand your need to collect what is dear to you.
As to where to put it all, I’m in the same boat!
I have a yellow Fiesta covered casserole dish. It’s the same warm, soft yellow as yours, and it’s the only piece of Fiesta I own. I really treasure it because it has such a friendly and homey look about it. Your compote is charming and perfect for you. I have found that sometimes folks get a bit carried away with the prices they list on eBay. I refer to them as garage sale millionaires. Good for you for staying strong. I love your big fern too. Ferns grow so well down here with all the heat and humidity. They get positively huge, and heavy too!
Lots of Love,
Susan and Bentley
We have dry heat and no humidity all winter. The fact that it’s done so well is a mystery!
That yellow compote is lovely. Sorry about the high price on the egg cup. Hopefully someone else will sell it at more reasonable price.
Marilyn
Fingers crossed, Marilyn!
Claudia, it’s looks absolutely perfect in your cottage!
I’m glad it arrived safely and you’re pleased with it.
Thank you for sharing it on the blog today…you made my day and I love it!!
I’ll keep my eyes peeled for your dream egg cup. You never know.
Thank you so much for sending it my way, Kelli. I will take good care of it! xo
I love how you make all the colors work together.
Thank you, Kay!
Love the cheerful yellow compote…please let us know if the Sleepy egg cup sells!
I’ll keep you informed, Nancy!
I agree about the Misfits. Their best work, Gable and Monroe. We saw it not long ago too.
As for the Fiesta, over the moon! I have a vintage Fiesta collection of mostly plates, bowls, jugs but this is the first time I’ve seen the compote. It’s a stunner. Kelli, if you are reading the comments, you are a gem. (But then, you’re another Michigan woman like me and like Claudia. I shouldn’t be surprised!)
Yikes on Sleepy! No words but Yikes!
Yikes, indeed!! Thanks, Jeanie.
I love the Fiesta compote! So perfect to have found it’s way ‘back’ to you. It makes me angry when I see something like the sleepy egg cup so overpriced and honestly I hope no one buys it for that amount. It will come your way one day. Loving the tulips. I’m still down with this awful cold that has settled in my throat and I’m so over this but my body isn’t. I’m hoping that I feel better next week. I have things to do as April is birthday month for the Grands.
I’m sorry you’re feeling under the weather, Linda. It’s frustrating when you want to get up and get moving! xoxo
That Fiesta compote is gorgeous! There’s a lot of Fiestaware at my favorite antique shop in Evanston (the one where they sometimes have McCoy at fantastic prices, too), but I’ve never seen a compote – just plates and cups. Brian and I have never seen The Misfits. Now I want to see it! Thanks for the recommendation.
Of course, I have no place to put my former vintage Fiesta collection, but I do regret that I sold it. Ah, well!