Product Description

An explosion of new ceramic design in the late 1920s and early 1930s introduced vibrant colours and dramatic angular shapes to the breakfast tables of Britain and the world. Never before or since has there been such diversity in British ceramics, as hundreds of manufacturers produced exciting new designs that embodied their enthusiasm for the 'bright new' age and continental modernism. Displaying an angular tea-set or a dinner service enamelled in a brilliant geometric pattern became proof that the owner was participating in the 'modern way' of living. Bay windows from John O'Groats to Land's End proudly exhibited the brightly coloured designs and impractical but glamourous ceramics from manufacturers such as Shelley, Wilkinson's, Wade Heath and Myott. This book also includes: information on how to identify and date ceramics at a glance; all the major designers including Clarice Cliff, Susie Cooper and Charlotte Rhead; contectual information on how ceramics were displayed in the home.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #343638 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 40 pages

Mark Albrook, The Twentieth Century Society Magazine, Winter 1999
'This Informative book is all that it should be; informative, helpful, easy to follow, it gives a comprehensive picture of inter-war ceramics going back to its Arts and Crafts roots. Even in the case of Wedgwood, the origins of its Fairyland series are to be found in the illustrations of Edmund Dulac. The book sets Art Deco Ceramics within the wider Movement, particularly the Paris 1925 Exhibition and its influence. Highly stylised ceramics with acutely angled handles and vivid colours became synonymous with Clarice Cliff and Susie Cooper. This was the beginning of the designer's name taking precedence over that of the manufacturer. The book also does the excellent job of setting firms such as Charlotte Rhead, Shelley Ware and Crown Devon in the context of the period. Stevenson also relates the influences on ceramics to the changes taking place within design and furniture manufacturing. Of course the greatest success of ceramics was that all could afford their own individual piece of Art Deco'

Newsletter of the Northern Ceramic Society, September 1998
'Another title to add to the excellent list of Shire publications and a handy, at a glance, reference and introduction to Art Deco Ceramics. This little publication explains how Art Deco, deriving from 'art decoratif' in reference to the French style that dominated the decorative arts of both Europe and America between the wars, rejected the earlier twisting naturalistic forms of the Art Nouveau period and turned to a more geometric and symmetrical format.... A great resume of the foremost designers of the day, giving a concise illustration of their careers and examples of the wares that they produced. The main manufacturers of Art Deco are then discussed showing the styles and decoration adopted together with identification of same. All the above being supported with plenty of excellent colour illustrations of the wares produced.'

From the Author
Potty about 1930s Ceramics? The book for you.
Clarice Cliff? Susie Cooper? Keith Murray? Charlotte Rhead? Eric Slater? Daisy Makeig Jones? John Skeaping?

Want to know more? Well this is the book for you. My PhD is in 1930s British ceramics, and frankly I got fed up with some of the 'tripe' written in other books and the high cost of them. That is why I wrote this affordable text that introduces all the big names with colour illustrations. One of the best sellers from Shire, you won't be disappointed.

Any questions? g.stevenson@lamp.ac.uk

Don't forget to check out my new book - The 1930s Home

regards,

Greg Stevenson Research Fellow, University of Wales

Customer Reviews

wonderful, unpretentious and useful reference
Although the book is brief, it provides an excellent reference for the collector of art deco ceramics. The author has managed to give essential information on the more desirable producers of ceramics in the 30s and yet has avoided the usual tendency of art deco fans to behave as though only Clarice Cliff and Susie Cooper mattered! When compared with other publications on art deco ceramics, I have to say this book is the most useful, and good value for money. While the book does not purport to be a scholarly tome, it is undoubtedly the one most collectors will find indispensable.

At last - something new on 1930s British Ceramics! Great!
Great book! I bought this about a year ago, and it has been so useful. I've been able to take it around with me to Antique fairs and junk shops, and the accurate information about identifying and dating Deco ceramics has been a great help.

Lots of colour pictures, and a better than usual introduction, but the best thing is the book gives space to some lesser known factories such as Langley, Enoch Wedgwood, Shorter, Johnson Brothers and Myott. Also the usual stars such as Clarice Cliff, Susie Cooper and Charlotte Rhead are here. Also my favourite, Keith Murray.

I only wish it was longer!