Celtic (Newlyn & Mousehole)

Understood, bits stuck on an built up but there is relief everywhere. Nothing is left flat if it could have some texture added. They are not thrown hollow body with a pair of horns stuck on and two holes for eyes.

How could anyone not be happy with that chess king

I'm fairly sure most of his terracotta work was hand made. Even when the same item, they are all individual and not identical in size. He clearly had a technique, which allowed him to make items almost the same. But I think they would be more common, if they were molded (even if added to afterwards). Even the unicorn heads which look the same are not all exactly the same size - I have 2 and the are about an inch different in height.
Just think about how few we see and how many years Bill was working. Even those small animals which we see a few more of, are all slightly different.

However, I do suspect that mermaid on a rock (from a few years ago) and the knight on horseback (which I have) are probably from a mold. So not sure why these haven't turned up any 2nd examples??

That 5 inch Bull is interesting. I've not seen any of his work made like that before - flat body and sculpted head. Strange - but I like it.

dantheman wrote:
I talked to Maggi a few years ago and she said they made a very large number of unicorns so they may turn up on the market when the original owners pop their clogs

That is my suspicion about why Bills terracotta work seems so rare.
I suspect it is loved so much, the original owners still have most of it

But I'm quite happy if they are only moving to a smaller house and 'down sizing', so thinning out there belongings. They don't have to 'pop their clogs'.

Never seen any thing like it Dan.

I was trying to explain how to non pot people that we can get excited about relatively ordinary things just because they are extremely uncommon rather than inherently better work. So for example DD would get excited if he found a piece of Denby in a new colourway (experimental?) and for the non collector this looks normal compared to a common piece...but .....for the connoisseur (an expert judge in matters of taste) it's exciting!

I can see one off colourways and limited editions being more collectable in production pottery - Anita Harris, for example - but its a tricky thing when it's a studio potter who's known for a certain style of pot. If they try something experimental will it be less or more collectable than what they are better known for?

Celtic Pottery jug signed by Bill Fisher, it stands approx. 12 " high and is quite heavily potted.

I like the base, I'm just not a jug man. Not seen the like before, unusual and interesting for me.

I've moved the mystery vase to the ID my Pottery forum -

https://www.20thcenturyforum.com/t21877-newlyn-celtic-vase#162300

Dan, only just seen your archer on horseback.
Love it! and never seen one before either.

Celtic mug

I'm assuming this is late Celtic...

Is it a sugar bowl?

?

https://www.20thcenturyforum.com/t280p25-celtic-newlyn-mousehole#39645