Born in 1899 in Tunstall Staffordshire, the heart of the British pottery industry ,Clarice the daughter of an iron worker was one of eight children cared for by her mother Ann. Living in a typical working class family home, where struggling to make ends meet was the order of the day.

Clarice developed an interest in art pottery and ceramics from an early age and used to regularly visit her aunt who worked at the nearby Alfred Meakin factory.

Clarice followed her interest keenly and at the age of just thirteen gained employment in the industry. Working first as an apprentice at Leningard,Webster & Co an earthenware manufacturer,Clarice was able to learn and develop her skills as a freehand painter. After only three years of her seven year apprenticeship Clarice decided to join another local firm named Hollinshead & Kirkham as an apprentice lithographer.

Her parents recognising her artistic talent struggled to pay for her to attend evening classes at the Turnstall School of Art.

A shortage of workers developed in the industry due to the 1st World War, Clarice seized the opportunity to apply for a vacancy in the decorating department at the A.J. Wilkinson pottery where she was destined to make her mark and become one of the most important designers of the art deco period and beyond.

Colley Shorter and Guy Shorter the directors of the firm must have had no idea that this young girl was going to play such an important role in the future development of the firm. Colley in particular developed a close relationship with Clarice and helped encourage her to explore her creative talent and as the years went by Colley, whose own wife had passed away, found that his affections had grown and they eventually married in 1940.

By this time Clarice was well established as a leading designer and had produced many ranges including the now famous Bizarre ,Fantasque and Crocus ranges. She was one of the few designers of her time who were afforded the recognition of being allowed to include her signature along with the manufacturers backstamp.

Her individual determination and unique innovation as a designer undoubtedly helped change the face of British Art pottery and decorative tableware. In the 1930's Clarice added new life and vibrant colour to plain white pottery which had dominated the average British household during the depression years.

Clarice Cliff inspired a revolution in the decoration of ceramics ,introducing new shapes and designs. Her own personal life story stirs the imagination through her rags to riches fairy tale.

With record prices being broken in the auction houses works by Clarice are becoming increasingly hard to find, however there are still some good bargains to be had if you know what your looking for and make sure whoever you buy from has some knowledge and experience of handling her work. Collectors need to be cautious when investing in a piece of Clarice Cliff as there have been several reports of fakes on the market.

Our advice is do some homework before you buy,familiarise yourself with her work and to give yourself a head start we can highly reccomend the books listed below!

Don't forget to check out our shop for genuine>>Clarice Cliff<< available to buy securely online now!

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