'Greek Pottery' Art and Artists

Greek Pottery

Phillip Connor (24.164.186.183) -

I'm attempting to learn about IKAROS Pottery manufactored in Rhodes Greece. Despite my effords I have learned little. Is there anyone out there that can steer me in the right direction as to the history of this manufactor of pottery? Thank you for any help on this subject. Phil

Reply #1 monty (67.120.92.205) -

yes I know something about it - it was founded by a Mr. Hadjicostantis - he and his family lived in Rhodes - I have many of their pieces. He and his wife died some years ago in a car accident - I have been trying to find out if the company is still ongoing, perhaps being run by his son...

The founder taught the people how to make the pottery and paint and glaze it.

The clay - if you chip a piece - is reddish

He was an expert on china

His factory involved the entire operation

They used to have ads in the New Yorker magazine...

Reply #2 Frank Principato (68.6.198.244) -

I have a little knowledge of Ikaros pottery.

I was stationed in Rhodes with United States Coast Guard on the ship USGC Courier (Voice of America) from 1956-1958. I met Doroteos Bonis which now owns Bonis Pottery. He became a very close friend and at that time he was working for Ikaros pottery, as a matter of fact he was also the shops english interpreter. He told me that he started working for Ikaros at the age of ten. I believe the pottery shop was in operation shortly after the war was over. I returned to Rhodes in 1960 and married Doroteos sister and at that time Ikaros was still in operation. I do know that the shop does not exist anymore as to the date it closed shop I am not sure. I do talk to my Brother-In-Law once in a while and I will ask him when Ikaros closed.

I have a large antique plate from Ikaros with the inscription on the back written in the Italian spelling (Icaros).

I hope this info helps.

Regards, Frank Principato

Reply #3 Mike Colbert (132.250.131.61) -

Hi,

I am Costa Hadjicostantis grandson (oldest daughter Chrysanthi's son). My grandfather owned and operated Icaros until his death in 1986. Unfortunately both of my grandparents were killed in a car accident. After that, the factory was closed. The factory was originally a school (International Ceramic Arts, Rhodes -> ICAROS) My grandfather bought it in the 20's I believe. I spent many summers making pottery there and it really makes me happy there is still interest in it. It was my grandfather's love.

Mike

Reply #4 janine phariss (68.230.88.101) -

I have a little vase that says on the bottom, 'hand made by bonis rhodes' and has the number 1000/0 on it. I thought i would look

it up before I tossed it. Glad I did! My grandmother had it.

Reply #5 Constance (63.166.210.221) -

I was looking for information about Icaros pottery on the web when I came across this site. I recently bought 2 pieces that were made by Icaros pottery in 1964 and are signed by "George".

I saw the comment by Costa and was wondering if his grandfather was George or if he knows who this artist is.

By the way, the vase and pitcher are beautiful.

Reply #6 Joe (24.5.69.171) -

I just returned from a business trip to Athens and purchased a piece the shop owner said was from a former pottery factory in Rhodes and was from the 60s or 70s.

My piece is a dark green stylish horse statue about 23 cm tall.

It is difficult to read the factory stamp text, but in the center appears to be a bull between two columns.

Does this sound like the Ikaros factory?

If anyone can e-mail me or send me to a website that might have more information, that would be great.

I would be glad to e-mail a picture of the piece and its factory mark.

Thank you.

Reply #7 john giakoumakis (72.134.20.12) -

I was wondering if anyone migt have the vinyl album of akolouthia.

there are certain lyrics I can not make out.

Can anyone help.

Reply #8 kathy spinney (64.12.117.202) -

I have a hand made in Rhodes Greece by Icaros Porttery

numbered A.822-6 or G not sure. It is a beautiful plate. Where can I find out the value?

Reply #9 james west (71.83.40.177) -

i have a rare ikaros vase for sale on ebay now with a low starting price be the winner of this beautiful vase at jimsstuff_123 at ebay .com

Reply #10 rivers from Maine (Contact Member) -

I also have a beautiful piece from Icaros pottery. The inscription on the bottom N/14-G would mean what?

How can I find information on this piece?

Thank you

Reply #11 TERRELL FRAIN (68.54.122.5) -

I HAVE A VASE BLUE FLOWERS AND GOLD ACCESS AND TRIM ON THE

BOTTOM ? 1CARDS RHODES GREECE B/430.2 I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE VALUE OF THIS VASES. THANK YOU, TERRELL FRAIN

Reply #12 Judy (208.25.96.15) -

I have what looks like a vase but it isn't and it also has 6 little cups and saucers that match it. On the bottom it says handmade in Greese 24 karat gold. To the left of the writing is a large S with smaller s' around it and under the writing is a large K. It is very pretty and has a lot of gold painting on both the cups, saucers and the taller item that somewhat resembles a vase. Could anyone please give me some information on what this could be and who it was made by?

Thanking you in advance,

Judy

Reply #13 Courier Kid from USA (Contact Member) -

Hello - My father was stationed on the USS Courier in Rhodes, Greece from 1958-60. I had the great good fortune to live on the island from the ages of 12-14. My mother loved Icaros/Ikaros and visited the ceramics manufactory frequently. This is my first post and I have a lot of info to share, particularly about the very beginnings of what transformed from ICAROS to Icaros to Ikaros pottery. I do have questions about the potters who, like Bonis, broke away from Ikaros and began their own ceramics businesses.

The primary sales venue today for Icaros pottery is ebay. Check it out and track the sales to help determine an approximate value for your pieces. Numbers on the bottom, such as N/14-G, indicate the style and model of the piece. Each manufactory classified its works, one reason was to track what sold the best.

I have been tracking ebay sales for quite sometime and have posted photos of the sales pieces on Google at the above link. The name of each item is its ebay number and perhaps some of the sales records still exist, although many items were sold several years ago. You'll have to do an ebay search to find out.

My next post will give you the web link to a ceramics magazine with an excellent article about the history of Icaros/Ikaros which begins during Italian occupation of the island in the early 1900s. If you wish to read the article, you will need to purchase the magazine. It is published in Italy but the article is in English. There are lots of colored photos and it is the only concise information I can find.

More next time. Thank you. Courier Kid

Reply #14 Courier Kid from USA (Contact Member) -

Sorry, I am not allowed to publish a web link in the body of a message. I'll figure out how to get around this. More next time, Courier Kid

Reply #15 N Bottiglia (68.84.58.84) -

I have a blue/green vase trimmed in gold. The vase is marked at the bottom "hand made by ccards-rhodes greece B-607-1. If anyone has any info on this vase I would love to know more about it. There is a piece of tape inside the vase that reads "Given to Dillon July 27 1977 by Nick Kaptapolus"

Thanks.

Reply #16 Daniel (90.234.44.19) -

I just bought myself nice icaros vase for about $8 in ĺ secondhand store. Good buy for such a nice vase. B.313-3 is the model. Signed:

Icaros

Rhodes

Greece

Reply #17 Ioannis (79.131.49.33) -

Reply to philip.

Icaro was the original name of the pottery that was founded by the italians, during the italian occupation of Rhodes. The pottery was bought by the Chagiconstantis family, and the continued producing until the 70' s or 80s. I know some of the workers who used to work at Ikaros and they started their own business. Two of them are Nasos and Bonis.

Reply #18 lefteris (79.166.65.96) -

during the early days of tialian occupation of rhodes, an artist from austria was sailing to midle east, bad weather make him to nest at the island of rhodes, his name was EGON HUMPERT or something like that, italian administration of the island ask him to start the ceramics arts-business in rhodes, because rhodes have long tradition in the field, so he starts, an stay many years here, the items of this years are very rare, special the plates hand painted and not just to the surface, afte the rhodian family become in the field, he was student of the austrian artist

Reply #19 Dudley from Bournemouth (Contact Member) -

Hi,

Is 'Ikaros Pottery' the same as 'Icaro Rodi'?

I have a large mug marked only with a hand painted 'Icaro Rodi' on the base, which I'm trying to find out more about.

I can send photos if it helps.

Thanks

Dudley

Reply #20 rodmax2 (81.240.72.139) -

Hi from Belgium. I just found in a garage sale a decorative plate stamped "Parperis Keramik Rhodes Greece" and she look like Ikaros. Is there anybody know this manufacture ? Période ? Thanks

Reply #21 sue (68.10.191.248) -

I have a piece of Ikaros as well. I bought it at an Antique shop in Albequerqe New Mexico. I paid 4.00 for it and could care less if it was worth nothing... it's beautiful. It's a small square bowl/dish turquoise in color with a graphic deer on it outlined in gold with a little bit of red/white throughout. Very appealing. Marked "Hand Made in Rhodes Greece Ikaros Pottery" with a Greek marking of some sort on the bottom (date or signature? I have no clue as I don't read Greek). If anyone does and would like to interpret, please email me! THANKS.

Reply #22 Paul Zimakas (66.30.106.87) -

In my youth when I was ten I had the fortune to travel to Rhodes with my parents. It was the first time I had been to Rhodes. The film The Guns of Navarone was just being wrapped up so we met several of the cast members. But what I am writting about is that I have several pieces of Icaros Pottery pieces that were bought by my parents at the ceramics plant on our way to Lindos. Two candle sticks, a vase a couple of W/C placks and six tiles of an ancient ship which have never been grouted. They have sat in a box since our retun from Greece. I am planning on using the tiles in a new bathroom do over. These items were my parents and I have cherrished them and will pass them on to the next generation. They do not have tremendous value, yet to me they are part of my ethnic backround and my family history. Everyone always comments on the beauty of the candle sticks. I am so fortunate to have enherited them!

Reply #23 ornella from italy (Contact Member) -

Hallo, I'm looking for Icaro Rosi pottery (vases, cups, jugs, plates). Is there somebody who can help me in finding them?

PS I'm not interested in Ikaros produced after 1940.

Thanks

Reply #24 doma (75.144.2.26) - 07/28/09 15:23

I have a larger shallow bowl with a ship painted on the inside. The back says Hand Painted in Rhodes-Greece by Ikaros Pottery A.171 (?? Not exactly sure of the numbers) at the lower lefr is the number 6 and it is underlined. Any Information would be appreciated!

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