Poole Pottery identification - images in post.

by ziggyuk Mon Sep 17, 2018 1:48 pm

Can anyone help identify this Poole Pottery piece. I have searched all I can and simply can't find any similar piece. It is signed by what looks like "L R Birch 3.10.73"

Poole Pottery identification - images in post. Img_2010

Poole Pottery identification - images in post. Img_2011

by **dantheman** Mon Sep 17, 2018 8:56 pm

Looks like it was destined to be an Atlantis piece before this person has a go at decoration

by ziggyuk Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:28 pm

dantheman wrote:Looks like it was destined to be an Atlantis piece before this person has a go at decoration

Yes, I was thinking the closet was the Atlantis rage due to the earthenware finish but despite all my searching I can't find anything at all similar.
It has no function, it is 100% decorative, I can't even find anything without the decoration with a similar design.

The thing is it must have always been intended to be a face as all the cut outs (mouth ears etc) are cut in and the ears are also moulded, there is nothing in the Atlantis range similar.

My late brother had a huge poole collection (loads of animals mostly signed and lots of huge studio plates and vases) that I have going to auction in a couple of weeks and this is one piece that intrigued me and I hoped to get more information on, I can't even come up with anything about the artist.

by **NaomiM** Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:31 pm

Most likely by a visitor to the pottery, rather than one of their regular decorators. Maybe a family member of one of the staff.

by ziggyuk Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:42 pm

NaomiM wrote:Most likely by a visitor to the pottery, rather than one of their regular decorators. Maybe a family member of one of the staff.

I guess that is possible, I was wondering how it was made too, as its hollow I can only assume it was thrown as two plates and afterwards moulded together while adding the ears.

by **denbydump** Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:44 pm

That's a possibility.
The basic shape looks like the A6 pebble vase which was approx 4 1/2 inches diameter.
Mark 29 is also correct, and the 73 date falls within Atlantis.
However Atlantis usually has a shape code impressed, also no one signed their full
name or date. This has been incised into the wet clay, so must have been done on
manufacture, maybe a trainee having a play around with a blank A6 vase?

by ziggyuk Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:53 pm

denbydump wrote:That's a possibility.
The basic shape looks like the A6 pebble vase which was approx 4 1/2 inches diameter.
Mark 29 is also correct, and the 73 date falls within Atlantis.
However Atlantis usually has a shape code impressed, also no one signed their full
name or date. This has been incised into the wet clay, so must have been done on
manufacture, maybe a trainee having a play around with a blank A6 vase?

Actually, your clue just helped me turn this up which is the closest I have found to date:

Poole Pottery identification - images in post. Captur10

"A Guy Sydenham Portland Rocco Art red bodied carved and glazed desk pebble in the form of a sea creature."

by **denbydump** Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:57 pm

So what size is your piece?

by ziggyuk Mon Sep 17, 2018 10:04 pm

denbydump wrote:So what size is your piece?

I don't have it in front of me right now but I estimate it between 4 - 5 inches round and stands about 1.5 - 2 inches high

by **denbydump** Mon Sep 17, 2018 10:21 pm

That sounds right. There is an A6 pebble vase shown on this page:

https://www.20thcenturyforum.com/t17933p325-poole-pottery-1960-1980-part-two

by ziggyuk Mon Sep 17, 2018 10:29 pm

denbydump wrote:That sounds right. There is an A6 pebble vase shown on this page:

https://www.20thcenturyforum.com/t17933p325-poole-pottery-1960-1980-part-two

That's very interesting, it does indeed look like it might have started out as a pebble.

by **dantheman** Tue Sep 18, 2018 4:06 pm

by **denbydump** Tue Sep 18, 2018 7:43 pm

So we come full circle Dan. What the hell is it?

by **dantheman** Tue Sep 18, 2018 7:58 pm

Just a doodle imo

by ziggyuk Wed Sep 19, 2018 11:34 pm

Thanks all, I really appreciate your input.

If anyone is interested this item and all my late brothers poole collection will be auctioned at Ringwood auctions on 29th September and possible some carried over to Octobers auction.