Crypto-Mugs. Do these legends exist and who has them? - Collecting Tiki

T Tattoo Tiki Socialite Los Angeles Joined: Sep 24, 2005 Posts: 321	T Tattoo Posted posted on Sun, Sep 23, 2012 6:46 PM Always wanted a Trader Vic's 3 Tiki bowl and jumped at the opportunity when i saw this version with the cool green glaze. But wow, what a surprise once I got it. It's incredibly heavy and completely handmade. It feels and looks more like a mid-century ceramic studio piece rather than a drinking bowl. A little too nice for barware. It's sculpted out of a think clay and is completely matte on the outside. The inside of the bowl has a cool thick green glaze. It has a really nice pitted texture to it from the firing process. The bottom is inscribed: "Made for Trader Vic by Dickman Walker." Dickman Walker was a mid-century potter and artist from the San Francisco area. I found a 1952 article that mentions him as a famed potter and his work being exhibited at a museum opening. Not much to go on but Trader Vic did seem to commission his early barware from local producers like the pieces in the 1944 Life Magazine article. This bowl is probably not that old but most likely early to mid 50s. However, I really don't know and don't know what the story is behind this version. Does anyone else have a Dickman Walker bowl? Hope someone here can help me out... [ Edited by: Tattoo 2012-09-23 18:47 ]

Always wanted a Trader Vic's 3 Tiki bowl and jumped at the opportunity when i saw this version with the cool green glaze.

But wow, what a surprise once I got it. It's incredibly heavy and completely handmade. It feels and looks more like a mid-century ceramic studio piece rather than a drinking bowl. A little too nice for barware. It's sculpted out of a think clay and is completely matte on the outside. The inside of the bowl has a cool thick green glaze. It has a really nice pitted texture to it from the firing process. The bottom is inscribed: "Made for Trader Vic by Dickman Walker."

Dickman Walker was a mid-century potter and artist from the San Francisco area. I found a 1952 article that mentions him as a famed potter and his work being exhibited at a museum opening. Not much to go on but Trader Vic did seem to commission his early barware from local producers like the pieces in the 1944 Life Magazine article. This bowl is probably not that old but most likely early to mid 50s. However, I really don't know and don't know what the story is behind this version. Does anyone else have a Dickman Walker bowl? Hope someone here can help me out...

[ Edited by: Tattoo 2012-09-23 18:47 ]

Post #653094 by Tattoo on Sun, Sep 23, 2012 6:46 PM