Bizarre - Clarice Cliff - Stoke-on-Trent

Clarice Cliff from Stoke-on-Trent is one of the most important pottery designers of the twentieth century and her work is some of the most sought after in auction houses throughout the world!
 
Clarice Cliff was born in 1899 in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent - the fourth of eight children.  She showed early skill in art, and recalled enjoying art lessons at school. 
In 1927 she was sent for six months to the Royal College of Art in Kensington, and when she returned to the Wilkinson factory she was given a studio and assistants. 

In 1928 an experimental series was produced, organised by Colley Shorter, using modern geometric shapes and bold colours.  Called 'Bizarre Ware', it was an instant hit.
In 1930 she was made Art Director of the company, and by 1931 she was overseeing 1000 workers, including her team of all female painters who were called The Bizarre Girls. The business expanded as demand for Clarice Cliff china increased,  and patterns varied to suit changing fashions.  Her designs were copied all over the world in her heyday, as far afield as Japan. 

In 1940 Clarice married Colley Shorter, the Managing Director of the firm.  They travelled extensively, trying to promote A J Wilkinson goods throughout the wartime restrictions on pottery production, and so she designed less herself. 
In 1961 Colley became ill, and he died two years later. 
Clarice decided to retire, and sold the company, leaving no successor. 
In 1972 she passed away.

This is the remains of a waste pile of spoiled pottery deemed no good and chucked away... There would have Been hundreds of these piles all over Stoke-on-Trent. Most have been buried but a few can still be found as the weather washes new bits to the surface.

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