Where Have I Been, Clarice?

Why have I just recently heard about Clarice Cliff?

My love for colorful vintage pottery has been strong for years — Red Wing, McCoy, Weller, I could go on. I thrill to find early Czech pieces — so bright and clever in design.

But England’s own Clarice Cliff is such a knockout, I just can’t believe she escaped my radar! Her designs, the brilliant colors, her very joyful attitude, all seem to explode in one fantastic visual experience!

“Crocus” tankard

And now that I mention her name at my favorite shops, EVEYONE knows about Clarice Cliff pottery — except me. One friend said her husband had collected CC for years. It’s still available on eBay. Another shop owner said they had some pieces of CC in just the other day before it was quickly snapped up. I want to be in the Clarice Cliff fan club! (As it turns out, there is an actual Clarice Cliff Collectors Club, established in 1982.)

“Honolulu Bonjour” pitcher

Clarice started working in pottery when she was 13, as a gilder. (Tabletop items were still very Victorian in design.) But she soon began covering obvious pottery imperfections with simple patterns of triangles, a style she coined “Bizarre.”

An original “Bizarre” vase

She became the art director of the adjoining Newport Pottery and AJ Wilkinson factories (Newport, Burslem, England) in 1927 and it was there she created her most outstanding art deco designs for ten years, often called “the Bizarre Years” by collectors.

“Lotus” pitcher and “Monsoon” plate

Clarice’s collection names are so dreamy — they could be exotic perfumes: Fantasque, Delecia, Crocus, Gayday, Red Tree, Idyll, Eden, and Monsoon, to name just a few.

“Honolulu Bonjour” teapot

I was pleased to read that in 2009, the Victoria and Albert Museum created its New Ceramics Galleries, in which Clarice Cliff’s works are now displayed. There’s a wealth of information about her life and career, and her international recognition, online.

Deco bowl and “Fantasque” platter

“Fantasque Mountain” plate

“Delicia” pitcher

Jampot

I would love to have a piece of Cliff pottery for my own collection. I see many offerings available on Etsy. Just imagine an entire tablescape in a joyful CC design!

Ok, that may be a little pricey. Maybe I could start smaller by sipping my tea from a Delecia cup and saucer…They’re rather magical!

“Delicia” cup and saucer