Clarice Cliff At The Movies

 As an avid fan of old films I was quite surprised to see a piece of Clarice Cliff in the film: "Witness In The Dark 1959".

TPTV Channel 81 show quite a few of Patricia Dainton's film and I have to admit I have become quite a fan of her film output.

Rhondanthe vase post war 1946/7? 12 inches high by 10 wide the largest piece in this pattern around on film. There is another film where barritz plates are on a welsh dresser, another British film from around 1956, I must look this up and do another blog.

Clarice Cliff

Lakeside plate By designer Chris Rogers 2007.

Below Rhondanthe plate By Clarice Cliff.

In the sitting room on a large sideboard a brief fleeting view of the rhodanthe vase. The film stars Patricia Dainton as a blind girl looking after an elderly lady, Madge Ryan killed for her precious brooch. A rather creepy sinister, performance from Nigel Green as the killer.

Conrad Philips as the detective complete the trio. Another Pat Dainton film is:" The House On Marsh Road" 1960 with Tony Wright a tense suspense film which can be found on the net you tube or Talking pictures Channel 81 on free view.

 Other films that have Clarice Cliff pottery in are Mr Phibes Rises Again 1972 with Vincent Price,

Two Ravel conical cups are seen, and a draw full of Crocus, ware in The Eye Of Needle 1981.

Above Right A poster of the Film  Witness In The Dark 1961.

RIP Patricia Dainton who passed away in 2024..

Chris Rogers writer 2021.

Bipolar, Grief and Lockdown 2020 (A cocktail of emotions)

 You can make a wonderful cocktail with various spirits and the glass is stylish too? I love a challenge but 2020 was a bit too much. My partner passed away on April 7th 2020.

we celebrated 25 years together, sadly the last two weeks we could not see each other because of the restrictions Covid-19 and his end of life home. Some friends suggested I write a short blog to maybe help and inform others?

Bipolar is a difficult illness at the best of times and my medications help, but not for grief you still cry and that has to be healthy, and quite normal, Feeling numb is quite the norm believe me. Anger is another emotion that comes with grief. You will never be slim on medication another sad fact! weight gain is part of the treatment with medications. so you can be slim and ill? or fat and happy? no contest I will take the weight gain anyday.

Sleeping tablets are a god send when you loose someone, because you need to rest your body, mind and spirit really you do.

12 months is the hardest part an anniversary of a passing causes great  turmoil to your very core, you think how can I go on? but you do, most people think of their loved one daily. My dad died in 1992 and my mom in 2001 not a day goes by when they are not in my thoughts,

The pandemic was a real devil too I have lost a few friends to Covid-19. I hope we can reset to what is important and what is not, I have read many books on mental health, and have learned a lot along the way, friends who had experienced mental health issues in lockdown sought my advice,

After 48 years of illness I learned one or two things along the way a bad day is just that tomorrow will and could be better?

Friends were  so kind they really are angels but you sort the genuine ones from the false ones. Cruise is another great organisation and so is Bipolar UK,

Counselling for grief is a must even if you cannot get it on the NHS, Go private costs around £40 per hourly sessions,  much as friends help, they have their own problems and they can help you in a small way,

Medication wise my meds were increased due to grief walking and talking helps but trapped in grief in a lockdown has been a tough one for everyone.

I hate Covid -19 as it stopped me seeing my loved one and that is something the mere name makes the fires of hell in me burn with rage..

Peace and happiness

Christopher Rogers, 2021.

Clarice Cliff pic n mix bits and bobs.

  Clarice Cliff above restored from a poor press picture circa 1934. Copyright Chris Rogers 2021.

The Bigarre Girls thought them an handle short of a lotus jug, then we had pieces made by Wedgewood which again were hand  painted, and various depth of colours and different colours etc etc. I was lucky Rene Dale the original painter and a Bigarre girl painted me 4 plates from the original designs.

Alice Andrews was the misses of the Bigarre shop  She would visit Wedgwood often Being a painter at a factory and being a designer is another thing, 

I have seen many try and many fail. The Wedgwood interpretations The Clarice Cliff Bigarre range had printed outlines too. Pity a reproduction would have been great.  I wish anyone luck as a designer, and are only too happy to see their work on sale! No jealousy here! 

In 1985 Midwinter reproduced some Clarice Cliff pieces very good they were too. Ethel Barrow advised them on hand painting, she was the original Crocus Painter.

Gladys Scarlett worked for Clarice as a painter and was a good designer, she left to work for Royal Venton one, and hand painted one range and was not heard of again.

Another mess is people taking bits of Clarice's work, and doing a Woolworths pic and mix,  on the design bits of this design put with this or that. All great designers like Clarice and many others water coloured their pattens before doing a sample on pottery,

A glass version of a Daffodil vase Clarice famously used.

 I know when something is an original design. Arthur Mallen with his Red Roof Daffodil vase circa 1934. Below in 1995.

Antiques experts doubted such a vase was made Eric Knowles, was send a picture and never replied but we kept a copy! so called experts.....

The Clarice Cliff Collectors Club tried to bully me online, but again I can teach you how to bully a bully in my next blog another one bits the dust!

I think they are unhappy because my designs are original in watercolours or on ceramic pieces, maybe taking something away from Clarice? not all! not all her designs were original nor the shapes, I believe she had to pay Royalties to a silver smith for her Stamford tea pot shape. I try to be original in every way.

All designers are inspired by someone and although Clarice Cliff was mostly original some designs were not original and came from well known sources."idyll" from a 1928 Crown Devon pattern. "Windbells" from a wooden fruit box circa 1929.

 

Clarice Cliff picture and Art Deco frame above By Chris Rogers Copyright 2021.

I have spent almost 40 years learning about Clarice and the process of painting on ceramic, I do use modern open medium the stink of turps fat Is not in the same league as Joop.

I do know my views may not be welcome by everyone but who says? we all need to sing from the same Hymn sheet?

Mirage" plate below made in 1999 By designer Chris Rogers an original design made in small numbers.

 

far right motherly Clarice circa 1948.

Chris Rogers Designer&Hand Painter 2021.

Clarice Cliff And The Colour Room 2021.

 At Last a film by Sky Cinema about Clarice Cliff 1899-1972.  The locations include Stoke, The Black Country Museum, and Birmingham Town Hall.

It will be 50 years in 2021 since the iconic designer died at Chetwynd House aged 73. The house sold for £57,000 pounds later that year In 1972. The house is now occupied by Professor Flavia Swann and you can see Clarice Shorter etched into the glass. Clarice married Colley Shorter in 1940.

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Above Red Roofs on a Vase,circa 1932 above Clarice Cliff late 1940's A rare photograph.

Above Chris Rogers "Offenham" plate circa 1999. I paint and enjoy the past time and I will continue for as long as my eyes last.

I choose to write new blogs covering many subjects and to let those know I am back from the blue Lagoon! much more to come soon.

My passion started years ago selling Clarice Cliff Lotus jugs for a fiver in London in the 70's, I met The Bigarre Girls in 1999 and my cousin met Clarice twice in 1959 and 1961. 

Enjoy the film in September/October 2021 interesting viewing hope they don't make any mistakes as my beady eyes will be watching.  There is Nothing delusional about me! just a lot upstairs and a passion that I hope will burn bright for a few years yet!

Chris Rogers

 Designer and Historian 2021.