John and Joan Potter, along with their 3 sons, lived in our apartment building complex off of Wong Nai Chung Gap Road in Hong Kong during the late 70s/early 80s. My parents recently received the news that John Potter has passed away at the age of 89. Thinking about their family and the extensive life they led in Asia, has me focused on Joan and the antiques business she established during her time living abroad. I can remember as a little girl my mom telling me how Mrs. Potter would venture out to the markets/shopping districts in search of period Asian finds. In an interview from Martha's Vineyard Magazine, Mrs. Potter notes that during the early days of her business, she developed a deeper understanding of the provenance of her treasures, while also emerging as an accomplished negotiator for her purchases (a skill held in high regard by vendors).
Mrs. Potter's family had long summered on Martha's Vineyard, and it remained a continued tradition for her & Mr. Potter and the boys. In 1981, she opened All Things Oriental in Vineyard Haven and the space featured all of her hand-selected pieces brought back from her travels throughout the Far East. Her shop became a destination for buyers seeking out interesting and important Asian antiques and its doors remained open for 27 years. The Potter's East Chop home was photographed for Martha's Vineyard Magazine Home & Garden Spring-Summer 2009 issue.... I've included images above & below.
Images MV Magazine