The Collectors
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Friday 26 October 2007
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Alwyne Parker from Western Australia confesses she is addicted to collecting, so much in fact that she is writing a book on her 600 piece collection of Diana Ware.
While a lot of the pieces are very similar in shape she says, some feature a glazing technique called lustreware, which involves firing the objects at a different temperature to normal glazes.
Alwyne picked up her first piece of Diana Ware, a mug, at a garage sale for just $2. The mug, which is part of a set, is now worth around $500. Although not popular with her friends, Alwyne’s favourite in her collection is a unique looking green, yellow and orange ornament.
Diana Ware was first produced in Marrickville, Sydney in 1940 by the designer Eric Lowe. He began by making cups and mugs for the defence forces. In the 1960s Diana Ware moved into kitchenware and ovenware, and were decorated in hand-painted floral designs.
Alwyne says it’s a wonderful feeling discovering a new piece at a garage sale, and she doesn’t think she’ll stop collecting until she knows she has everything there is out there.
