Earthenware Inkwell by Clarice Cliff

This is a Clarice Cliff “Fantasque Bizarre” earthenware inkwell with its lid, manufactured by Newport Pottery in England. Its cubic form, vibrant hand-painted decoration, and clear markings make it a distinctive piece from the iconic Art Deco designer.

Overall Appearance and Form: The piece consists of a cube-shaped body with slightly rounded edges, designed specifically as an inkwell. It is topped with a fitted, square-shaped lid that has a prominent, stepped finial, which is characteristic of the piece’s aesthetic and serves as a handle for opening. The main body and lid are a light cream or ivory color, serving as a bright canvas for the dynamic decoration.

Decoration – “Autumn” or “Trees and House” Motif (Fantasque Bizarre): The exterior decoration is a quintessential example of Clarice Cliff’s “Fantasque Bizarre” range, celebrated for its bold, abstract, and often landscape-inspired designs. The specific pattern appears to be an autumnal landscape, likely “Autumn” or a variation of a “Trees and House” pattern, featuring stylized trees in vivid colors around all four sides.

• Color Palette: The palette is striking and characteristic of Cliff’s work, employing burnt orange/red (for the stylized trees and a prominent diagonal element), black (for tree trunks/branches and berry-like clusters), mustard yellow (used for stylized clouds/sky elements, subtle tree details, and the inner rim of the inkwell opening), and green (as an outlining color for various elements and the top of the finial).
• Stylized Trees and Landscape:
  • Multiple sides display prominent, tall, and somewhat rectangular orange trees with black bases and details, suggesting trunks or branches. Some yellow accents within the trees add depth.
  • Wavy yellow lines sweep across the upper sections, representing stylized clouds or sky.
  • Diagonal and solid red forms create abstract landscape elements, possibly representing hills, houses, or landforms, against which the trees are positioned.
  • On one side black berry-like clusters and vertical yellow lines, reminiscent of reeds or bamboo, are interspersed among the orange tree forms.
• Borders/Edges: A thin green line meticulously outlines the top edge of the inkwell body and the edges of the lid, providing a clean separation and enhancing the overall design.

Lid: The lid is designed to sit snugly within the circular indentation on the top of the inkwell body. The finial is a prominent, solid, rectangular form, topped with a flat green surface, acting as both a decorative element and a functional handle.

Base and Markings: The base bears the backstamps that authenticate and identify the piece:

• Newport Pottery England: Identifies the manufacturer and country of origin.
• Fantasque: Denotes the specific range of bold and innovative patterns designed by Clarice Cliff.
• Bizarre: Refers to the avant-garde and vibrant design range, often overlapping with “Fantasque.”
• Clarice Cliff: The personal signature of the renowned ceramic artist, signifying her direct involvement in the design.
• Hand Painted: Confirms that the intricate and colorful decoration was applied by hand.
• Holes: The base also features two circular holes, common in Clarice Cliff wares, likely for ventilation during firing. This Clarice Cliff “Fantasque Bizarre” inkwell is a highly desirable collector’s item, embodying the innovative spirit and distinctive Art Deco aesthetic for which she is celebrated.

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.