Collecting Deco Poole Pottery
While Poole pottery has embraced many styles, it is the dazzling bold shapes and hand-painted patterns of the 1920s and 1930s that really stand out. The 1920s were a period of change for the arts in Europe and if you are collecting Poole pottery you really want to own at least one piece from this period. This was the period of modernity that gave us the designs of Lalique and Corbusier and they would have exhibited at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes’ exhibition in Paris in 1925.. Poole won a Diploma of Honour here and it revolutionised their design.
They moved from simple floral spriggs and plain band patterns to abstracts featuring wheels, cogs and lightening flashes, which had most likely been inspired by the exhibition. Poole were soon to exhibit regularly at the Mansard Gallery at Heals and at regular trade events at London’s Gieve Gallery. This enhanced Poole’s profile, they acquired a reputation for quality and ‘on trend’ wares and ensured them regular press coverage.
While Poole got a lot of attention for their exhibition pieces they did not neglect their ‘bread and butter’ which consisted of mass produced biscuit barrels, preserve pots and bowls. While these pieces would not have been as elaborately decorated they were still hand-thrown and hand-painted and were very popular across the country. The first trade catalogue was issued in 1920, promising to produce unique handcrafted wares, thrown by the potter and hand-painted. Continue reading »
Filed under China and Pottery | Tags: Art Deco, collecting, collecting art deco poole pottery, Heals, Poole, Poole Pottery, pottery | Comment (0)Cornish Ceramics
The three founders of Troika were Leslie Illsley, Benny Sirota and Jan Thompson (a Swedish architect and sleeping partner for a couple of years). The talents of Benny and Leslie were complimentary, combining a knowledge of ceramics and glazes with an artistic and sculptural leaning. The resulting type of wear soon found a niche market being sold through the London department store of Heals and in the same year that Troika was founded some of their pieces were included in a small exhibition at the Egyptian House in Penzance. Continue reading »
Filed under China and Pottery | Tags: , Barbara Hepworth, Bernard Leach, Celtic, Ceramics, Heals, Leaper, Newlyn, Peter Ellery, pottery, Tremaen, Troika, West Cornwall | Comment (0)