Unusual Storage Jar

Here's an oddity that came with a lot of collectable teapots i bought recently. Its clearly a studio pottery piece but i have been unable to identify the potter by the GM mark underneath although it does identify the year of making as 1960. To me it has a continental feel and clearly reflects influences from contemporary artists such as Picasso and Paul Clee and reminds me of the images my artist father, Terry Durham, used to come up with in the early 1960's. The style of jar itself is unusual with holes in the neck and near the base of the jar which would provide ventilation for the contents. Could this have been made to be a garlic storage jar? If so this would again lead to the continent for its origin. And look at the shape of the handle on the lid, not just a normal round or square but a swept sided oblong, a nice touch. I'd be happy to hear any opinions on this piece.

Precious metals price update.

I will be giving updates on the precious metals prices available in the market from time to time. This week there has been a slight increase in precious metals prices over the past week although they have dropped from a peak in mid March.
Today's Gold & Silver prices from a source on the internet for Hallmarked Gold & Silver:
Silver £15.04z
9ct Gold £11.55/gm
14ct Gold £18.02/gm
18ct Gold £23.10/gm
22ct Gold £28.21/gm
These prices are indicative only and we accept no responsibility for any changes or differences quoted elsewhere.

The rise of Retro!

Items and clothing from the 50's, 60's and 70's are becoming increasingly popular these days. Interest in the lifestyles of these decades has risen and in some cases has become fashionable even with the younger generation. Many of the objects which were highly chic and futuristic at the time they were made have an appeal today as they fit in with the 'new' styles of fashion and... home decor which are taking their influence from these decades. Common items of glass and china ware can be picked up from charity shops at reasonable rates and there are an increasing number of specialist retro shops in major towns and cities. Much of this has been fuelled by the student community especially art students who have taken the retro styles to heart. In Leeds there and many retro clothing shops which are popular with the student population looking for original items. Of course there are adults who where children in these decades who will look back at those times with the famous 'rose tinted glasses' and will be cheered by the nostalgia of these pieces. Take the amber glass pitcher and tumbler set i recently came across, a common item at the time but not easy to find as a complete set nowadays. With me it evoked the memory of cold glasses of orange squash on those long hot summer days - well thats how i remember the 6 week school holidays and it definitely was in 1976, the long drought, forest fires and the green godesses!