--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I came up to New York at 20 with a…" description: "\"I came up to New York at 20 with a suitcase and a ceramic tiger. That was my one piece of furniture and I wanted to save it.\" — Rex Smith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6a/rex-smith-31954_ceramics_i-came-up-to-new-york-at-20-with-a-suitc_426741.jpg" --- # I came up to New York at 20 with a suitcase and a ceramic… ![“I came up to New York at 20 with a suitcase and a ceramic tiger. That was my one piece of furniture and I wanted to save it.” quote by Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6a/rex-smith-31954_ceramics_i-came-up-to-new-york-at-20-with-a-suitc_426741.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6a/rex-smith-31954_ceramics_i-came-up-to-new-york-at-20-with-a-suitc_426741.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6a/rex-smith-31954_ceramics_i-came-up-to-new-york-at-20-with-a-suitc_426741.jpg) > “I came up to New York at 20 with a suitcase and a ceramic tiger. That was my one piece of furniture and I wanted to save it.” [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A young immigrant clings to a small, meaningful object for comfort in a new city. **In simple terms:** A tiny treasured item provides comfort abroad. Key Takeaway Keep personal symbols for stability. Themes migration nostalgia identity adaptation Mood hopeful nostalgic Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - moving to a new country - starting a new job - adjusting to college life - dealing with loss Key Concepts personal artifacts emotional anchors cultural transition Questions to Reflect On - What objects give you comfort when away? - How do symbols aid adaptation? A Different Perspective Material objects may not replace deeper connections. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ceramics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceramics/) [Furniture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/furniture/) [New york](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york/) [Tigers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tigers/) ## Related quotes > [Then there were the shabti, magical figurines that were supposed to come to life when summoned. A few months ago, I’d fallen for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/then-there-were-the-shabti-magical-figurines-that-were-supposed-to/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I learned about Chinese ceramics and African sculptures, I aired my scanty knowledge of the French Impressionists, and I prospered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-chatwin/i-learned-about-chinese-ceramics-and-african-sculptures-i-aired-my/) [Bruce Chatwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-chatwin/) > [ I took a number of graphic courses, lithography and etching and wood engraving \[at Art Institute\]. And particularly as I got more and more… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-mackenzie/i-took-a-number-of-graphic-courses-lithography-and-etching-and-wood/) [Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-mackenzie/) > [Grottaglie itself is really famous for its figurative and 'splatter' paint ceramics - the figurative motifs are absolutely beautiful and the workshops in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-levine/grottaglie-itself-is-really-famous-for-its-figurative-and-splatter/) [Alice Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-levine/) > [ We both \[with Alixandra Kolesky MacKenzie\] got into ceramics, you might say, by the back door. Looking back on it, I think this was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-mackenzie/we-both-with-alixandra-kolesky-mackenzie-got-into-ceramics-you-might/) [Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-mackenzie/) > [ \[ Bernard\] Leach was the one who taught us that, because he, too, had started out as a painter and an etcher and had… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-mackenzie/bernard-leach-was-the-one-who-taught-us-that-because-he-too-had/) [Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-mackenzie/) > [All of the people in my building are insane. The guy above me designs synthetic hairballs for ceramic cats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/all-of-the-people-in-my-building-are-insane-the-guy-above-me-designs/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [In the middle of my second year at school, in 1943, I got drafted into the army, was gone for three years, and when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-mackenzie/in-the-middle-of-my-second-year-at-school-in-1943-i-got-drafted-into/) [Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-mackenzie/) > [My home has a split personality. Some of the rooms are very French antique. Think Aubusson rugs, turquoise ceramic jugs, sandbag pillows, and broken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-delevingne/my-home-has-a-split-personality-some-of-the-rooms-are-very-french/) [Poppy Delevingne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-delevingne/) > [I have always wished I could learn to be a potter. I love collecting ceramics; it would be so fulfilling to create something lovely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/i-have-always-wished-i-could-learn-to-be-a-potter-i-love-collecting/) [Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/) > [When I was incarcerated at Alderson in West Virginia for a five-month term, they had a ceramics class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/when-i-was-incarcerated-at-alderson-in-west-virginia-for-a-five-month/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) > [For me it's really important that the work here displays an aesthetic of decay along with the sunken boat with the broken ceramic pieces.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cai-guo-qiang/for-me-it-s-really-important-that-the-work-here-displays-an-aesthetic/) [Cai Guo-Qiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cai-guo-qiang/) > [I can see hope inside it." Rachel ran her fingers over the ceramic designs. "So fragile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-can-see-hope-inside-it-rachel-ran-her-fingers-over-the-ceramic/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Ridiculous that some people feel superior to the gay minority. They're the only couples you'll ever find poking around for ceramics and candle holders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-jeni/ridiculous-that-some-people-feel-superior-to-the-gay-minority-they-re/) [Richard Jeni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-jeni/) > [All the perks, all the benefits and advantages you may get for the rank or position you hold, they aren’t meant for you. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/all-the-perks-all-the-benefits-and-advantages-you-may-get-for-the/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) ## More by Rex Smith > [I don't know a lot of guys who started out as a hard rock and roller with a white stripe in their hair. Suddenly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/i-don-t-know-a-lot-of-guys-who-started-out-as-a-hard-rock-and-roller/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [I have long-range plans, but you always have to wait for business to catch up with you. It's a matter of contracts and meetings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/i-have-long-range-plans-but-you-always-have-to-wait-for-business-to/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [I can get into politics. I'm a pretty straight guy for this business. I have a pretty healthy outlook.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/i-can-get-into-politics-i-m-a-pretty-straight-guy-for-this-business-i/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [Movies are so weird. I don't believe anything until it's already done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/movies-are-so-weird-i-don-t-believe-anything-until-it-s-already-done/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [I had a very crazy aunt and uncle who we traded my brother Webster to for a Siamese cat. It was heaven to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/i-had-a-very-crazy-aunt-and-uncle-who-we-traded-my-brother-webster-to/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [Everything is disposable now: disposable lighters, disposable blades, disposable stars. They inflate you up for one big deal and then they look for someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/everything-is-disposable-now-disposable-lighters-disposable-blades/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [My father always said, 'It ain't bragging if it's true.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/my-father-always-said-it-ain-t-bragging-if-it-s-true/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [I'm very close to my parents and we built a sailboat together when I was growing up. We're partners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/i-m-very-close-to-my-parents-and-we-built-a-sailboat-together-when-i/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [I was the only guy who is referred to as Mr. Smith in the New York Times and in the same week as Sexy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/i-was-the-only-guy-who-is-referred-to-as-mr-smith-in-the-new-york/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [ \[My father did\] advertising. That's why I got into this business. I think because we're really boxes of soap - actors and singers. You're… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/my-father-did-advertising-that-s-why-i-got-into-this-business-i-think/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [I was named after the next-door neighbor's German shepherd. It was either that or Cadillac Smith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/i-was-named-after-the-next-door-neighbor-s-german-shepherd-it-was/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [When I got out of high school I hit the road. I lived like a gypsy. Those were the best times of my life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/when-i-got-out-of-high-school-i-hit-the-road-i-lived-like-a-gypsy/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [It used to be that a movie star would have a 20-year career. Now if you get three to five years, you're lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/it-used-to-be-that-a-movie-star-would-have-a-20-year-career-now-if/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [We were a really crazy band. This was in '73. I had my hair real short with a white stripe down the middle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/we-were-a-really-crazy-band-this-was-in-73-i-had-my-hair-real-short/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [I'm too much of a planner. I would have been a dentist; that's what I was thinking of being. Dr. Rex, open wide and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/i-m-too-much-of-a-planner-i-would-have-been-a-dentist-that-s-what-i/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) [Explore all 16 Rex Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) ## More Ceramics quotes > [Then there were the shabti, magical figurines that were supposed to come to life when summoned. A few months ago, I’d fallen for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/then-there-were-the-shabti-magical-figurines-that-were-supposed-to/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Ridiculous that some people feel superior to the gay minority. They're the only couples you'll ever find poking around for ceramics and candle holders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-jeni/ridiculous-that-some-people-feel-superior-to-the-gay-minority-they-re/) [Richard Jeni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-jeni/) > [I can see hope inside it." Rachel ran her fingers over the ceramic designs. "So fragile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-can-see-hope-inside-it-rachel-ran-her-fingers-over-the-ceramic/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [For me it's really important that the work here displays an aesthetic of decay along with the sunken boat with the broken ceramic pieces.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cai-guo-qiang/for-me-it-s-really-important-that-the-work-here-displays-an-aesthetic/) [Cai Guo-Qiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cai-guo-qiang/) > [When I was incarcerated at Alderson in West Virginia for a five-month term, they had a ceramics class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/when-i-was-incarcerated-at-alderson-in-west-virginia-for-a-five-month/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) > [I have always wished I could learn to be a potter. I love collecting ceramics; it would be so fulfilling to create something lovely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/i-have-always-wished-i-could-learn-to-be-a-potter-i-love-collecting/) [Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/) > [My home has a split personality. Some of the rooms are very French antique. Think Aubusson rugs, turquoise ceramic jugs, sandbag pillows, and broken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-delevingne/my-home-has-a-split-personality-some-of-the-rooms-are-very-french/) [Poppy Delevingne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-delevingne/) > [In the middle of my second year at school, in 1943, I got drafted into the army, was gone for three years, and when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-mackenzie/in-the-middle-of-my-second-year-at-school-in-1943-i-got-drafted-into/) [Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-mackenzie/) > [All of the people in my building are insane. The guy above me designs synthetic hairballs for ceramic cats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/all-of-the-people-in-my-building-are-insane-the-guy-above-me-designs/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [ \[ Bernard\] Leach was the one who taught us that, because he, too, had started out as a painter and an etcher and had… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-mackenzie/bernard-leach-was-the-one-who-taught-us-that-because-he-too-had/) [Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-mackenzie/) > [ We both \[with Alixandra Kolesky MacKenzie\] got into ceramics, you might say, by the back door. Looking back on it, I think this was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-mackenzie/we-both-with-alixandra-kolesky-mackenzie-got-into-ceramics-you-might/) [Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-mackenzie/) > [Grottaglie itself is really famous for its figurative and 'splatter' paint ceramics - the figurative motifs are absolutely beautiful and the workshops in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-levine/grottaglie-itself-is-really-famous-for-its-figurative-and-splatter/) [Alice Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-levine/) > [ I took a number of graphic courses, lithography and etching and wood engraving \[at Art Institute\]. And particularly as I got more and more… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-mackenzie/i-took-a-number-of-graphic-courses-lithography-and-etching-and-wood/) [Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-mackenzie/) > [I learned about Chinese ceramics and African sculptures, I aired my scanty knowledge of the French Impressionists, and I prospered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-chatwin/i-learned-about-chinese-ceramics-and-african-sculptures-i-aired-my/) [Bruce Chatwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-chatwin/) > [All the perks, all the benefits and advantages you may get for the rank or position you hold, they aren’t meant for you. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/all-the-perks-all-the-benefits-and-advantages-you-may-get-for-the/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) [Browse all 42 Ceramics quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceramics/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I came up to New York at 20 with a suitcase and a ceramic tiger. 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