Earthenware Inkwell by Clarice Cliff

This is a Clarice Cliff Art Deco inkstand, recognizable by its bold geometric form and the signature “drip” glaze decoration. It represents a more minimalist and abstract aesthetic compared to some of her landscape designs yet still embodies the vibrant spirit of the Art Deco movement.

Here’s a detailed description:

Form and Construction:

• Stepped Geometric Design: The inkstand is conceived as a stepped, architectural form. It features two tiered platforms of different heights, creating a dynamic, asymmetrical silhouette. This stepped design is a classic Art Deco characteristic, drawing inspiration from modernist architecture.
• Inkwell Housings: Each platform houses a recessed, circular opening, designed to hold ink. These openings are topped with square, block-like stoppers or lids.
• Material: Made of earthenware pottery, typical of Clarice Cliff’s “Bizarre” ware.

Glaze and Decoration:

• Color Palette: The inkstand employs a striking and somewhat unconventional color scheme, indicative of Cliff’s experimental approach:
  • Base Color: A dominant, warm cream or pale yellow provides the background for the entire piece.
  • Top Rim and Drips: A dark brown glaze is applied to the upper rim of each inkwell housing and extends downwards in an intentional, controlled drip or ‘run’ effect.
  • Contrasting Drips: Overlapping or alongside the brown drips, there are bold, vertical streaks of a vibrant orange-red glaze, creating a dramatic and energetic contrast.
• “Drip” Glaze Technique: This particular inkstand showcases Clarice Cliff’s famous “Drip” or “Run” glaze technique. This effect was achieved by applying a contrasting colored glaze (often thickly) to the rim or upper section of a piece, allowing it to naturally drip down the sides during firing, creating unique, irregular streaks. This technique was highly popular and gave each piece an individual, hand-crafted feel despite being factory-produced.
• Stoppers: The square stoppers feature the same cream/pale yellow base color with brown glaze on top, also exhibiting a subtle drip effect down their sides, mirroring the main body.

Art Deco Characteristics:

• Geometric Shapes: The overall cuboid and stepped structure is purely geometric, a hallmark of Art Deco design.
• Bold Color Contrasts: The interplay of cream, dark brown, and vibrant orange-red creates a strong visual impact through color blocking and contrast.
• Stylized Decoration: While not featuring the elaborate landscapes of some “Bizarre” pieces, the deliberate “drip” pattern is a form of abstract, stylized decoration that emphasizes the material and the glazing process.
• Functionality with Flair: Like many Art Deco objects, it combines practical utility with a strong aesthetic statement, designed to be a decorative focal point on a desk.

This Clarice Cliff inkstand is a superb example of her innovative design philosophy, highlighting her mastery of form, color, and unconventional decorative techniques that became synonymous with the Art Deco movement.

About Clarice Cliff (1899–1972):

Clarice Cliff was an iconic English ceramic artist and designer, best known for her highly distinctive and colorful Art Deco pottery produced between the late 1920s and the mid-20th century.

• Early Life and Career: Born in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, one of the famous “Potteries” towns, Cliff began her career at a young age, initially as a decorator, then as a modeler and designer. She studied at the Royal College of Art.
• Art Deco Pioneer: She rose to prominence in the late 1920s and 1930s with her bold, geometric, and often abstract designs. Her work was a radical departure from the more traditional floral patterns of the time, embracing the new Art Deco aesthetic characterized by strong lines, simplified forms, and vibrant color schemes.
• “Bizarre Ware”: This was the brand name given to her most famous and distinctive range of brightly colored earthenware, launched in 1927. It was an instant success, appealing to a public eager for modern, affordable, and cheerful designs during the Great Depression. Her designs were often hand-painted by a team of young female decorators known as “Bizarre girls.”
• Influence and Legacy: Cliff’s work had a profound impact on British ceramic design. She brought art into everyday objects and made modern design accessible to a wide audience. Her pieces are celebrated for their artistic merit, historical significance, and enduring appeal.

About “Bizarre Ware”:

“Bizarre Ware” is the generic term for the range of brightly colored, hand-painted earthenware designed by Clarice Cliff.

• Launch: Introduced in 1927.
• Characteristics: It’s characterized by bold, often geometric or abstract patterns, vibrant and unusual color combinations (e.g., strong greens, yellows, oranges, blues, and reds), and simplified landscape or abstract floral motifs.
• Hand-Painted: A key feature was that each piece was hand-painted, which added to its unique charm, even though it was a factory production.
• Popularity: It was incredibly popular during its heyday, making Clarice Cliff a household name. The term “Bizarre” was chosen because the designs were considered eccentric and unconventional for their time.

About Newport Pottery (England):

• Location and History: Newport Pottery was a ceramic factory located in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England, within the heart of the historic “Potteries” region. It was part of the A.J. Wilkinson Ltd. group.
• Association with Clarice Cliff: Newport Pottery became synonymous with Clarice Cliff’s work because it was the factory where her “Bizarre” and other famous ranges were produced. She worked for A.J. Wilkinson Ltd. (which owned Newport Pottery) for virtually her entire career, eventually becoming Art Director.
• Production: The pottery produced a wide range of earthenware, but its fame largely rests on the innovative and highly successful designs of Clarice Cliff.

In summary, this inkwell is a charming and authentic piece of Art Deco design by one of Britain’s most celebrated ceramic artists, Clarice Cliff, made at the Newport Pottery during her most influential period.