Lot 258 — The Mushroom, hand-made pottery pot and ottoman
Lot 258 — The Mushroom, hand-made pottery pot and ottoman
Lot 258 — The Mushroom, hand-made pottery pot and ottoman
Lot 258 — The Mushroom, hand-made pottery pot and ottoman
Lot 258 — The Mushroom, hand-made pottery pot and ottoman
Lot 258 — The Mushroom, hand-made pottery pot and ottoman
Lot 258 — The Mushroom, hand-made pottery pot and ottoman

Lot 258 — The Mushroom, a Hand-Made Pottery Pot & Ottoman

A big hand-made pottery piece the Captain calls the Mushroom. Dome-side up it’s an ottoman; flip it and it’s a deep, waterproof pot. Found behind Columbia College here in the South Loop.

Artist
Unknown maker
Dimensions
Not yet measured
Materials
Hand-made pottery with a coiled, rippled exterior; cream clay with grey speckling and green-grey weathering stains; smooth brown interior; waterproof
From the Captain's Log

I call it the mushroom. I use it as an ottoman, but when you turn it over, it's a pot, hand done. Found it behind Columbia College here in the South Loop, by the trash. The staining can be cleaned, but I think it looks kind of cool and natural. It would work pretty well on any surface. It's totally waterproof. It's been through a bunch of Chicago summers and winters with no wear except for the discoloration.

— The Captain, Whaleworx

On the block, friend

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What's it worth?

Taking a squint at it...

An estimate from the photos and description, not an appraisal and not a reserve. Bid what it is worth to you; the sea sets no prices and neither do we.

SKU: WW-258 Category:

Description

The Captain calls this one the Mushroom. Set dome-side up on its short foot, it’s a round, rippled cap of pale clay, and he’s been usin’ it as an ottoman. Flip it over and that foot turns into the mouth of a deep, round-bellied pot, smooth and brown inside, with rings worked into the clay at the bottom.

It’s hand-made, with a coiled, rippled texture all over the outside. He found it behind Columbia College here in the South Loop, set out by the trash, and hauled it home.

It’s totally waterproof and has come through a bunch of Chicago summers and winters with no wear beyond some discoloration: grey speckles on the cap and green-and-grey stainin’ down the sides of the pot. That stainin’ can be cleaned off, but the Captain likes it as it is, natural and a little mossy. It sits well on just about any surface, indoors or out.

She’s a big one, so it’s pickup at the South Loop dock only.

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