Posts

The Journey of the Titian Studio book photographs

Image
The Titian Studio book photographs. Burgundy Grapes glaze - V.110, B.106, PB.104, PV.109. Finally, I can confirm all the available Sherwood Pottery, Titian Studio, Orzel and Aquila pieces have been photographed for my book. Wayfarer Photography have taken over 400 images showing roughly 600 pieces which are now with my graphic designer to slot into my completed manuscript. It's been a huge undertaking to get to this point and I'm thrilled, but also relieved to be here. The journey began back in March 2023 when Danny and I collected a huge number of pieces from various collectors, including a car load from one collector who lives in the Waikato.  It was a huge responsibility to care for so many treasured pieces from over twenty collectors, with some kindly sending pieces to me, at no cost, from all over New Zealand. The pieces were removed from the boxes, cleaned and laid out onto tables in our lounge, dining room and kitchen for easy access, before being photographed and then p
Post a Comment
Read more

It's an Itsy Bitsy Spider Vase

Image
 Look away now if you don't like spiders! Sherwood Spider Vase - Side one The original spider vases, with the hand-painted black spider, were made during the Sherwood era , sometime between 1949 and 1954 at Waitakere. A rather realistic spider waits patiently for its next meal on a web strung between two branches. Pinecones sit at the base of this triangular vase.  Why do I like these vases? They remind me of webs sparkling with dew at dawn in our native garden we planted over twenty years ago. I try to be aware of them not only for their beauty, but because they're soooo sticky if you walk into one at head height. Never been one for spiders though, especially the huntsman that come in unexpectedly through our windows. I've only briefly met a white tail spider and that was inside the hood of my raincoat I'd just put on. Danny spotted it and told me, 'Stand Still!! Stand Very Still!!' before flicking it away.   Sherwood Spider Vase (Side two) With the early examp
Post a Comment
Read more

WV.104 - Swoose Wall Vase

Image
So what exactly is a Swoose? Prototype Swoose  - from the collection of Jack* & Rose Brown The yellow Swoose Wall Vase is heavy and chunky indicating the slip was left in the mould for longer than necessary. Also, the glaze is excessively thick. The reverse has three raised firing feet and a keyhole hanging hole, the same as the Sherwood Gainsborough Blue Boy and Pinkie Wall Vase. Here's the link to the Sherwood blog showing the wall vase. Dave Jenkin and Cameron Brown were both dying of cancer. At one of Dave’s last visits to his friend, they chuckled whilst reminiscing over their long friendship and their time in the pottery industry. Cam Jnr quietly listened to their great memories. Both men died in 2002, only a few weeks apart. They had worked at Crown Lynn together in 1948/49 and became great friends. Dave was Crown Lynn’s chief design artist. He designed some very well known pieces including Crown Lynn's earthenware ' Expo '70 Legend of Maui, Sushi Platter &
2 comments
Read more

B.102 - Double Handled Footed Vase

Image
  One vase shape in multiple glazes B.102 Grey Stone with Wheat decoration The raised ear of wheat was incorporated into various mould designs. The wheat image was carefully wiped to reveal the white body underneath. Many of pieces that have the wheat pattern aren't numbered but instead have a Presley Ware sticker.  B.102 Pink with Gold handles This is my absolute favourite B.102 vase. I've only seen one other gold handled piece, owned by another collector, in pale green with gold handles. B.102 Mahogany Woodgrain B.102 Oak Woodgrain From 1957, Cameron Brown alongside Teddy Rennie, created the woodgrain glaze in oak and mahogany.  A light brown glaze was  airbrushed onto the pieces, then fine lines of darker brown painted over the top.  George Courts of Karangahape Road and John Courts in Queen Street bought £3,000 worth of Woodgrain earthenware and had their whole shop windows full of it. B.102 Pink and Grey   B.102 Black outer, Yellow inner B.102 Colbalt From what I've re
Post a Comment
Read more