Bernard Rooke v's Wallwork

by **NaomiM** October 21st 2016, 12:23 pm

Unmarked lampbase.
There are some aspects to it which point to Rooke, such as the circular cartouch at the top, which I've seen on other Rooke pieces, but the shape, application and type of glaze (especially on the sids), the shape of the hole in the base, the messy way the applied decoration has been handled, even the lack of a mark....all point to it being by Wallwork when he shared a workspace with Rooke.
I sent photos to the guy who runs Wallwork's website and he said Alan was too ill atm to look at them, but he thought it was possibly by him.

Bernard Rooke v's Wallwork Img_7412

by **studio-pots** October 21st 2016, 11:44 pm

I asked Mrs. S-P her opinion and she said it's definitely not Alan's but it could be that other chap. I mentioned Rooke and she said that was who she meant but she thought it was more likely a poor pastiche of his work.

My thoughts too.

by **NaomiM** October 21st 2016, 11:50 pm

The cartouche is from one of Rooke's moulds
A mix of Rooke and Wallwork pieces for comparison. The second one is a Wallwork which was the clincher for me.

Bernard Rooke v's Wallwork Img_7510

by **studio-pots** October 22nd 2016, 9:44 am

At Blackheath Hill where Bernard Rooke rented a space from Alan Wallwork, Alan employed assistants to make the basic shapes, which he decorated.

Having slept on it, my thinking is it could have been made by one of them there or after they left.

It ought to be noted too that the typical stoneware body that Alan used throughout his career was much lighter in colour than that used for this lampbase. Not saying that Alan wouldn't or didn't use something else if necessary but it does add to the reasons that I don't think Alan made it.

by joethehat October 22nd 2016, 3:11 pm

Glad Naomi sought more experienced opinions. I'm inclined to agree with Mr S.P. The clay isn't familiar. I have both earthenware and stoneware examples and none use that body, but as S.P. points out, Alan has used many types of clay.
Without wishing to detract from the tread.... Could anyone please tell me more about that last picture? Lampbase?

by **NaomiM** October 22nd 2016, 3:29 pm

Without wishing to detract from the tread.... Could anyone please tell me more about that last picture? Lampbase?

I should have said, the photos were a mix of Rooke and Wallwork, showing the similarities in their decorative mouldings. The lamp base in the last photo is Big Ed's Rooke piece -

https://www.20thcenturyforum.com/t2816p75-bernard-rooke#113729

by joethehat October 24th 2016, 12:14 pm

Two further examples of Alan Wallwork and Bernard Rooke. The second picture is part of a Rooke lampstand, which has similarities to the lampbase under scrutiny.
Conclusion....Not made by Alan Wallwork.

by **NaomiM** October 24th 2016, 1:51 pm

Cheers :)

Well if the concensus is that it's not Wallwork then it must be by Rooke

by **22 Crawford St.** October 24th 2016, 6:45 pm

I have always found that Alan's pieces always sit well in the hand. Rounded in all the right places and usually in proportion you feel you want to pick them up, touch them. The Rooke pieces just seem less appealing.

Is that just me?

by **studio-pots** October 27th 2016, 7:04 pm

NaomiM wrote:Cheers :)

Well if the concensus is that it's not Wallwork then it must be by Rooke

I'm not sure that can be assumed. "Most likely" yes but "must be" no.

by **mowen** October 29th 2016, 9:59 pm

Early/a bit rougher Louis Hudson?

by **studio-pots** October 29th 2016, 10:34 pm

I thought it had a hint of his work too and he worked for Alan.

by **NaomiM** October 29th 2016, 11:35 pm

Any examples of Hudson using Rooke's moulds?

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