Classic Art Ware - Debateable origins

[islandretro]

I have been thinking about and discussing with various collectors the origins of Classic Art Ware pottery for quite some time now, and since the publication of the 2nd People's Potteries book and the attribution of the label to John Barnard Knight, and subsequently the attribution of some CAW pieces to JBK in an upcoming Australian Pottery auction, I have decided to "go public" in the hope of flushing some information, or at least informative debate out of the woodwork 🙂

As I have said else where, I don't agree with Dorothy Johnstons attribution of this label to John Barnard Knight, a Melbourne potter associated with the label Janet Grey. I, (and others, not having come to this conclusion in isolation, I have talked to various collectors), believe there is a connection with Delamere Art Pottery from Sydney; whether this was a label attached to their wares sold through a certain outlet or a range they sold themselves similarly to Diana's Hollywood or Pate's Regent labels no one is sure.







Anyway - here are some photos for you to see labels on various CAW pieces that have always been attributed to Delamere (except the Koalas which are attributed only to CAW and the frog in the 1st pic which has a Delamere sticker). Aside from this there is continuity of glaze colour, and various motifs common over CAW and Delamere attributed pieces I can post pics of as well if anyone is interested, to support this theory.

Hoping there are some other CAW/Delamere collectors reading who might have info to share

cheers
Rae

[rosecottagesales]

Hi Rae & others

The item I mentioned is very similar to this one:-
http://southernantiques.net.au/ceramics.html

Only diff is:- instead of rabbits and mushrooms, it has a koala on one side, and a puppy on the other. The tree trunk looks very similar with gumleafs and gumnuts. The signature is either DE / ED....:)

Talking about the kookaburra which has ended a few days back, was this item Delamere / Classic Art?

Cheers..Brenton

[muditer]

Brenton I have an ashtray very similar to the one in the link. It is faintly signed Wembley

[islandretro]

Hi Brenton, that is cute, but not CAW/Delamere, I think. Not sure who that would be.

If you mean the little kooka on the tree stump Kat bought - it is CAW, same as the koalas. If you go back to post #10 you will see mine with some of the koalas.
cheers
Rae

[muditer]

As Rae said, not CAW/Delamere but Wembley

[rosecottagesales]

Thanks Rae for the confirmation and Thank you Terri for sharing the photo of your ashtray . The one on the link does looked a bit like your Ashtray. I didn't know Wembley make this sort of ashtray with decorative animals until now. The marking is a bit blurry though.

[muditer]

The leaves and gumnuts may help. the photo of the signature is a bit blurry too.

[muditer]

PS please excuse the dust.

[kooriflag]

Hi,

The Rabbit ashtray that Terri has kindly put a picture of is not Wembley and it will be signed either Beatty or Beauty? I am still not sure if these were from 2 different potteries or if we have another CAW Delamere situation here.

They are not often signed compared to how many are out there to be found. They made most of the pieces with the Gnomes and other small creatures attached to them and come in many shapes and sizes,

Cheers,
Pip

[rosecottagesales]

Unfortunately I don't have the photo to show you Pip...The koala is well made, but the colour / glaze does not look anything like CAW / Delamere koalas....more like Hebb / Taronga Koalas pieces...Next year, Ill buy it if the piece is still there 🙂

[kitty-kat1234]

Thanks OWL, all done,may try it out today;-)B-)