Clarice Cliff pottery: Five auction lots estimated at under £500
19 May 2021 The colourful and distinctive pottery designs by Clarice Cliff remain highly popular at auction.These wares by the Staffordshire born and bred designer, who first made her name in the 1920s with her brightly coloured ranges and Art Deco style, are now sought after both as collectables and also for their fantastic decorative quality they can bring to your home.
A fairly broad price range exists for Clarice Cliff. The earlier and rarest examples can make sums running into the thousands but items produced in greater quantity, particularly in later period, which are more widely available can offer a popular and affordable choice for collectors.
The upcoming two-day sale of British Art Pottery at Woolley & Wallis on May 25-26 includes some eyecatching pieces among the 125 lots of Clarice Cliff. Here we pick out five to give you a flavour of what’s on offer.
1. ‘Broth’ jug
Among the striking pieces of Clarice Cliff pottery at Woolley & Wallis’ sale of British Art Pottery is this ‘Broth’ Fantasque Bizarre conical jug. Painted in colours between green, red and black bands, it comes with printed factory marks and measures 6.75in (17.5cm) high.
It is estimated at £300-400. View the catalogue entry for this Clarice Cliff ‘Broth’ jug on thesaleroom.com.
2. ‘Red Roofs’ vase
This trademark piece of Clarice Cliff pottery is an example of her ‘Red Roofs’ design. The Fantasque Bizarre pattern Mei Ping vase is painted with colours between orange, blue and black bands.
It has printed factory marks, stands 9in (23cm) high and is estimated at £300-400. View the catalogue entry for this Clarice Cliff ‘Red Roofs’ Mei Ping vase on thesaleroom.com.
3. ‘Orange Roof Cottage’ sugar sifter
One of Clarice Cliff’s features was the way she could design everyday items to be highly distinct. An example is her conical sugar sifters, such as this one in the ‘Orange Roof Cottage’ range.
With printed factory marks, it measures 5.5in (14cm) high and is estimated at £250-350. View the catalogue entry for this Clarice Cliff conical sugar sifter on thesaleroom.com.
4. ‘Celtic Harvest’ set
This ‘Celtic Harvest’ set comprises a Clarice Cliff jug, modelled in low relief and painted in colours, two footed bowls with electroplated rims, three plates, three tazza with electroplated mounts. The nine items are offered as a single lot and estimated at £200-300.
View the catalogue entry for this Clarice Cliff ‘Celtic Harvest’ set on thesaleroom.com.
5. ‘Delecia Pansies’ clog
Among the charming small pieces of Clarice Cliff at the Woolley & Wallis sale is this ‘Delecia Pansies’ clog from the Bizarre range. Painted in colours and with a printed factory mark, it measures (13.5cm) wide and is estimated at £120-180.
View the catalogue entry for this Clarice Cliff ‘Delecia Pansies’ clog on thesaleroom.com.