The potteries female designers and why we must celebrate their heritage.

 

Above Clarice Cliff in the 60's

History has been kind to Clarice Cliff and Susie Cooper, although there are many others Charlotte Rhead, and a few others.

The Clarice Cliff story is well known by now but the Film The Colour Room was a marketing film finishing in 1930, where was the other 42 years she lived?

A play is going round focusing on Clarice and her private life, rumour of her being gay do hold water, therefore, this could be in the play? I know at least 2 plays are in the pipe line.

The Council in Stoke are hoping for a statue of Clarice, how this will bring her lovely work to the public?  Is the $64,000 question, statues are cold and impersonal, therefore what it can achieve is?

 Below is an unknown pattern from Bigarre 1928.

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This year has seen many potteries go to the dogs, History is not enough to keep these wonderful places open, The Ikea generation having no time for ornaments and such like? Even the Chinese are having little sales on ceramics, I would have thought the history of British designers would be the paramount  subject leading to tourism and interest in hand on education in the world of ceramics.

I feel tourism does bode well for the future, sadly nothing has been seen, I suggested a Clarice Cliff room, someone painting her work would be a great draw? Everyone hears her name but know little of her work and the methods used all those years ago.

The financial world of Clarice has had a bit of a reverse financially but money does remain the main driver of Clarice Cliff's work. I would have thought reproduction of rare pieces under license be the continued interest in owing a piece? I feel this is the way forward,

Susie Cooper again has been rather forgotten? perhaps an exhibition of her work is long overdue? timeless designs that stand as a beacon of high quality work.

Charlotte Rhead died in 1948, her work is in a Moorcroft style again rather forgotten? Stoke needs to step up and do various things to enhance the skills of these icons. I have been in touch with the leader of Stoke Council, The lady has an open mind and has been helpful with suggestions which I shall follow up. The Department of Culture and Media have been contacted, nothing helpful as to date.

Keep going and hopefully we can see some developments? not by paid PR people, but everyday people who Clarice designed for all those years ago.

Above Crocus which was in production from 1928-1968 By special order.

Chris Rogers designer/historian 2025.

Clarice Cliff (1899-1972) Blue Plaque

 It is always nice to see Clarice given some honour but a bit lacking in design I would have thought something nicer like the late Terry Abbots did for her former terraced home.

I think the opportunity to showcase her work would be a grand idea for Stoke? and tourism in that neck of the woods. On her 100th Centenary Wedgwood had people painting her work, and why not? Since she is such an icon for many Emma Bridgewater being one influenced by powerful women.

These days people want an experience not a statue or plaque and as much as Will Farmer is an expert the floor is yours, In fact dealers are the main outlet for her wares these days, a nice band or club but it is pure finance, and why not? seems to leave out the many genuine collectors. Her work appeals to a wide selection of people around the world so jump to it Stoke.

The film The Colour Room was just a story and not the whole picture Clarice lived another 42 years after the story ended surely someone will make a film of her life? not just her work?

I dare say I will get some negative comments as we are not allowed to have thoughts and ideas of our own? wrong indeed.

I will update this blog if and when needed so watch this space to find out more... A few images to give the piece a Bigarre look lol lol...

Lesley White 2024.

Game set and match!

This blog is for one person I know you or your friends are reading this? I am going to give you one last chance to stop! If you don't I will expose you for who you are.

I have so much evidence you! and  the others have provided over the last 18 months.

You have my email address another data breach? If I do not get a full apology from you then I will tell the full story on the net TRUST me! and all the others involved too..

All the Best,

Chris Rogers.

Clarice Cliff images.

 Hello,

 Here are two images of Clarice Cliff By Chris Rogers circa 2021. Copyrighted....

Above a pencil drawing of Stoke in a Clarice Cliff style By Chris Rogers artist 2021. Copyrighted.

Below: A peggy Davies Clarice wall mask from the late 1990's.  below that Clarice Cliff in her Garden circa 1957. It is not often we see Clarice herself? We have one or two more to add........

Lesley White 2022....

The fascinating world of Clarice Cliff yesterday and today...

 I thought I would pass the batton on to a fellow admirer and as an avid learner Lesley and Angela and Sue and Mike too. So Lesley has written this blog today on my Blogger site. Clarice picture restoration above Twelve past four studios and Chris Rogers copyright 2020..... Below Clarice Cliff face mask by Peggy Davies ceramics Circa 2000.

From the notes given it would appear and I have a piece of the Midwinter reproductions from 1985, that Ethel Barrow was an advisor on the pieces... The Clarice Cliff Collectors Club was in it's infancy and the piece I purchased was from Southport a sugar shaker Blue Autumn.

We all study all things Clarice,  from back then and now from inspired work to copies and everything in between as detectives and source seekers... We shall be highlighting various pieces compairing reproductions to the originals... We all hope to visit Stoke this year on a trail of discovery...

We read many net articles and most of us are Bowie fans too infact I have a signed copy of The World Of David Bowie. 1970. We have all read the book from Wanda Sutton on the art of hand painting, and spoke to the author a few years back. We hope to learn and share our hobby with many people on many Deco pieces from the mass producers at the time such as: Shelley, Susie Cooper, Beswick and many others..

We leave the dealing side of sales to the dealers appreciation is our area of interest! and research on various styles from the Art deco period.

This blog is a work in progress..

Lesley White 2024...

Clarice Cliff and Ethel Barrow.

 For those who have been around sometime? Ethel  Barrow was the original Crocus lady in 1927, she was borrowed from Dolly Cliff and the rest is History....

The card was done for me by Ethel in 1999, and her signature too from this card. Ethel was no shrinking violet a tough very talented painter.

Ethel told me  I always called her Clarice she never sent me on any demonstrations, and I always called her Clarice, not Miss Cliff, she knew I was to good to loose.

Clarice asked Midwinter to keep me on in 1964, when she sold the factory, so I guess she appreciated my work and talent. I spoken on the phone to Ethel, her daughter was lovely met her at Wedgwood  in 1999. Terry Abbotts took some lovely home movies of  Ethel and i saw them at his home, sadly Terry passed away over 2 years ago.

Chris Rogers designer/Historian 2022.