Earthenware Inkwell by Clarice Cliff

This is a vibrant Clarice Cliff “Fantasque Bizarre” hand-painted earthenware inkwell with its lid, produced by Newport Pottery in England.

Overall Appearance and Form: This inkwell has a cube-shaped body with subtly rounded edges. It is complemented by its lid, which features a prominent, stepped square finial. The primary background color for both the body and lid is a soft cream or ivory, serving as a bright canvas for the bold hand-painted design.

Decoration – “House and Trees” Motif (Fantasque Bizarre): The hand-painted decoration is a quintessential example of Clarice Cliff’s “Fantasque Bizarre” range, known for its bold, abstract landscapes. The specific pattern appears to be a variation of her “House and Trees” patterns, characterized by stylized, blocky trees.

• Color Palette: The palette is exceptionally bright and characteristic of Cliff’s “Bizarre” period, featuring:
  • Vibrant blue (for tree canopies).
  • Lush green (for other tree canopies or landscape elements).
  • Sunny yellow (for landscape elements or sky).
  • Rich purple/lavender (for stylized clouds or distant hills).
  • Bold burnt orange/red (dominating the rim of the inkwell and parts of the landscape).
  • Dark black (for stylized tree trunks and branches).
• Stylized Landscape Elements:
  • On one side, prominent blue-canopied trees with black trunks are depicted against the cream background, alongside hints of green and yellow forms.
  • Another side showcases large, abstract purple cloud-like forms with orange-brown lines, possibly representing stylized architecture (like castellated roofs, common in some of her patterns). A small green element is also visible on this side.
  • The top edge of the inkwell body is entirely painted in a striking burnt orange/red, which extends down slightly onto the sides in an uneven, painterly fashion, integrating with the landscape design.

Lid: The lid is designed to sit recessed into the top of the inkwell body, resting in the circular opening. Its finial is a prominent square block, also topped with a burnt orange/red color, matching the rim of the inkwell. The underside of the lid is hollowed out to fit precisely over the inkwell’s rim.

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

• FANTASQUE HAND PAINTED: Specifies the design range and confirms the artisanal decoration.
• Bizarre by Clarice Cliff: A clear signature of the renowned designer and the distinctive range.
• NEWPORT POTTERY ENGLAND: Indicates the manufacturer and country of origin.
• The base also features two circular holes, common in Clarice Cliff’s larger wares, which were likely for ventilation during the firing process.

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.