Re: Celtic (Newlyn & Mousehole)

by **dantheman** on May 6th 2017, 4:30 pm

I also couldn't resist buying this magnificent Bill Fisher bull today

by **dantheman** on May 8th 2017, 11:17 pm

rare 5 inch bull made by Bill in the 1970's after he left Maggi

by **dantheman** on May 8th 2017, 11:28 pm

Bill Fisher king chess piece

by **22 Crawford St.** on May 10th 2017, 11:03 pm

Very recognisable style. Still amazed that he hand modelled (carved) each one from scratch . Most would have resorted to moulds or a simpler form so the numbers could up. That chess piece looks like a little Inca/Aztec god statue

by **dantheman** on May 10th 2017, 11:57 pm

Bill made it for someone who already had a full set of hand made chess pieces but wasn't happy with his efforts but I don't think all the pieces were fully hand made from a ball of clay

by **22 Crawford St.** on May 11th 2017, 12:06 am

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.

by **Celtic_Fan** on May 11th 2017, 10:52 am

How could anyone not be happy with that chess king Shock

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??

by **Celtic_Fan** on May 11th 2017, 10:59 am

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.

by **dantheman** on May 11th 2017, 12:28 pm

the small bull is also my favorite piece as it is so unusual
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

by **dantheman** on May 11th 2017, 12:30 pm

in the 2nd pic you can see Ev unloading Medallion range pottery from the kiln

by **Celtic_Fan** on May 11th 2017, 12:48 pm

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 Beating Heart

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'.

by **dantheman** on May 12th 2017, 11:48 am

the small bull and king arrived by post today and the detail is stunning!!!!
I have added more pics (above)

by **dantheman** on August 9th 2017, 4:32 pm

8 inch bowl decorated with rare archer on horseback design

by **denbydump** on August 9th 2017, 7:05 pm

Never seen any thing like it Dan.

by **dantheman** on August 9th 2017, 7:36 pm

no it's a first for me too

by **22 Crawford St.** on August 9th 2017, 9:47 pm

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!

by **dantheman** on August 9th 2017, 10:04 pm

personally I tend to move on from the production stuff when the top man leaves a pottery, it happened with Poole pottery and with Celtic

by **NaomiM** on August 10th 2017, 2:19 am

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?

by **dantheman** on August 10th 2017, 12:44 pm

the one trick pony trap

by **Davee** on September 8th 2017, 9:29 am

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

by **dantheman** on September 8th 2017, 11:30 am

could be an early piece or a morning after piece Tipsy

<-Bill

by **22 Crawford St.** on September 8th 2017, 9:03 pm

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

by **dantheman** on September 8th 2017, 9:46 pm

I love jugs and have three similar ones but haven't seen that green tint to the glaze before

by **NaomiM** on November 22nd 2017, 7:27 pm

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

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

by **Celtic_Fan** on November 22nd 2017, 11:06 pm

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

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