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

[kooriflag]

Help !!

We are sinking :^O

[lakeland27]

thanks for a fascinating and informative thread, i dont see much of these types of wares here , please dont sink.

[treasurehound38]

great thread
keep bumpin to keep afloat

Jo

[islandretro]

Just waiting for someone with something to support the JBK hypothesis to post, or any pics.

Lakeland, where are you?

cheers
Rae

[lakeland27]

central highlands, which means around ballarat. not a native though.:-p

[kooriflag]

Hi Rae,

No one can post to support the JBK hypothesis because it is just a dream B-).

There is no truth to that story at all especially as Delamere and CAW are Sydney made. I go to Melbourne heaps and I know that the Victorian potteries proliferate there. Of course you will find them there but not in the quantities that are here in Sydney.

But how about pics from anyone else of Delamere/ CAW pieces that we can then search for ?

[treasurehound38]

koori
youv'e got mail]:)

[islandretro]

You would think that pottery made in Victoria (JBK) would be more easily found there, wouldn't you. Instead CAW seems to be most prevalent in Sydney and NSW.

Interesting

cheers
Rae

[wisteria-cottage-collectables]

Has anyone actually asked Dorothy how she came to this conclusion?

I now don`t know why but for some reason (which has since escaped me) I have always thought CAW was a middle man/distributor type company. Business records might throw some light.

[kitty-kat1234]

Has anyone actually asked Dorothy how she came to this conclusion?

Good point,