Apart from being one of my favourite pottery designers ever, Clarice Cliff is one of the most collected pottery works of any designer in the 20th century. Not only that, her influence and inspiration has rippled across five decades and will echo for many decades (maybe even centuries) to come.
Born in 1899 in Tunstall Staffordshire, in the heart and soul of the British pottery industry, Clarice came from and was one of eight children. Clarice developed an interest in art pottery and ceramics from an early age and at age thirteen started to work in the industry. Working as an apprentice for several well-known firms before her parents, whom recognised her artistic talent, struggled to pay for her to attend evening classes at the Turnstall School of Art.
Shortly after World War 1, Clarice seized an opportunity to work at a pottery firm called A.J. Wilkinson and her talents were duly recognised and rewarded with a chance to show her creative flare. This led to success, great career progression and a fabulous and loving romance with Colley Shorter (one of the directors at A.J Wilkinson) with whom she married in 1940.
By the 1940's, Clarice was a well established and leading designer that had produced many now very sought after ranges and she was also allowed to add her signature alongside the factory mark. This was virtually unheard of in those days. Have you heard of "Bizarre", "Fantasque" or the "Crocus" design? These are just a few!
From the 1930’s until the present day, Clarice Cliff’s influence and design and has been mimicked, copied and faked. This, along with her own personal life story and achievements until she died in 1972 (shortly after Colley Shorter's death), is one of the greatest epic fairytale stories of the 20th Century!
You have to love Clarice Cliff and the amazing story surrounding her life! More information on Clarice Cliff can be found on the Clarice Cliff Collectors Club website and from various other sources.
