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)A Beginner’s Guide to Art Deco China
First seen at the international exhibition in Paris in 1925 Art Deco was in vougue during the 1920s and 1930s and was a great inspiration to British ceramicists. Art Deco ceramics were extremely popular. Their bright, colourful design brought a sense of fun and contemporary style to the home. The First World War had changed women’s position in society and many of them were keen to support the newly emerging female designers, such as Clarice Cliff, Charlotte Rhead and Susie Cooper.
For the collector the choices are endless – you can collect by shape, by factory, by designer, by colour, by motif or by year. Clarice Cliff’s design made at the A J Wilkinson factory were avidly collected with the new Bizarre range being especially popular. Apart from being a surface designer Clarice had also trained as a modeller and she was interested in developing glazes. The combination of these three makes her designs so interesting. While Clarice Cliff pottery can be very expensive there are affordable pieces to be had. Crocus was made from 1928 to 1964 and is one of the most affordable, while Honolulu was only made for about a year and is difficult to find and expensive. Continue reading »
Filed under Uncategorized | Tags: architecture, Art Deco, Carlton Ware, Ceramics, Charlotte Rhead, Clarice Cliff, decorative art, designer, Goldschneider, leeping deer, Myott, Poole, royal doulton, Shelley Girl, Shelley Pottery, Susie Cooper | Comment (0)