Earthenware Inkwell by Clarice Cliff

This Clarice Cliff “Bizarre” hand-painted earthenware inkwell with its lid, in the “Delecia Poppy” pattern, and of the Shape 462 was produced by Newport Pottery in England.

Overall Appearance and Form: The double inkwell has a distinctive cubic body with subtly rounded edges, characteristic of Clarice Cliff’s modernist Art Deco designs. It is fitted with matching lids, which are topped by a bold, stepped square finial. The base color of the earthenware is a light cream or ivory, providing a neutral backdrop for the vibrant “Delecia Poppy” pattern.

Decoration – “Delecia Poppy” Pattern: The “Delecia Poppy” pattern is recognizable by its bold, large-scale floral motifs, featuring poppies, executed with Cliff’s signature “dribble” or “run” glaze technique.

• Color Palette: The colors are exceptionally vivid and fluid, a hallmark of the “Delecia” range:
  • Prominent burnt orange/red for the large, stylized poppy flowerheads. This is a very strong and dominant color.
  • Deep blue and vibrant green are used for leaves and other floral or abstract elements, showing the characteristic “running” effect where the colors bleed into each other or the background.
  • Purple/lavender appears in abstract cloud-like or background forms, contributing to the rich, painterly effect.
  • Yellow is present in other abstract elements, possibly representing stamens within the poppies or parts of the abstracted landscape.
  • Black is used for stylized centers of the poppies or for outlining certain elements, adding definition.
• Stylized Poppies and Runnings: The design focuses on oversized, abstracted poppy forms that seem to float or emerge from a background of fluid color washes. The “Delecia” effect is clearly visible, where the pigments have been applied in a way that allows them to run and blend, creating unique textural and color variations across the surface. This “dribbled” glaze gives the pattern a dynamic, almost spontaneous feel.

Lid: The lids perfectly match the inkwell’s aesthetic. The finial is a solid square block, mirroring the shape of the inkwell body. The top of the finial and the rim of the lid are painted in the same burnt orange/red that outlines the inkwell opening, creating a cohesive design. The underside of the lid is concave to fit over the inkwell’s rim.

Base and Markings: The base provides essential authentication details.

• HAND PAINTED: Indicates the specific design range and confirms it’s hand-decorated.
• Bizarre by Clarice Cliff: The signature of the designer and her iconic “Bizarre” range.
• NEWPORT POTTERY ENGLAND: Identifies the manufacturer and country of origin.
• Shape 462: This impressed number confirms the specific form, which is known for double inkwells.

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.