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]

Kat, you've done it again...well done 🙂

[rosecottagesales]

Hi Rae

I saw one similar large stunning bowl like the one you've got with vine leaves on top (post 10). It was clearly signed Delamere on the base. Nearly bought it, but upon checking carefully, there was a large chip on one of the leaves 😞

[islandretro]

Mine has a few bits broken/repaired, Brenton - they are so rare I guess you grab them where you can. I haven't seen another one. It was VERY cheap as well - so I couldn't leave it. It isn't signed though, so that would have been a bonus, but again - price is the decider really when there is damage.

There are currently a couple of CAW/Delamere pieces listed - one of the small gumnut and leaf semicircular troughs 120621877376 and a set of koala bookends starting very low 300472100303 if anyone is collecting

cheers
Rae

[rosecottagesales]

Thanks Rae.

If the bowl is in perfect condition, I would really have bought it even though I'm not a Delamere / CAW collector because it's such a stunning piece. The price is $485, I told the dealer about the chip, and he quickly took the bowl out from the cabinet and put aside.

[islandretro]

eeek $485! I paid $30 for mine, if I recall correctly, lol!

[rosecottagesales]

lucky you ..:)

[rosecottagesales]

oh yes....

I bought this one instead - a frog on the log. It's unmarked though

[islandretro]

🙂 I have one of those - it was the latest Delamere I bought on ebay. I still need the kookaburra one

cheers
Rae

[islandretro]

Just an update - although I am not sure if I am allowed to post this here - I have started a blog to show my collection, I am not exactly sure if I am doing it right as I have never "blogged" before. If you click the "2010" link at the top it takes you to all of the entries I have uploaded so far - 3 in all I think! Anyway, I would appreciate any feedback as to whether it is working or not. I am not having any luck putting the title into Google search, I am not sure what that indicates though

http://dandcaw.blogspot.com/2010/11/delamere-art-pottery-and-classic-art.html

cheers
Rae

[rosecottagesales]

All working fine Rae.

Well done and keep going 🙂

btw, apart from the kookaburra and the frog sitting on the log, Delamere also make the log without any applied figures....are you aware of that Rae?

Cheers
Brenton