Bernard Rooke

Jeffingtons wrote:Sticking my neck out and claiming this two foot tall lamp as the work of Bernard Rooke.  It hasn't got a potters mark but there's enough lamps on this site attributed to Rooke that have the same motifs, clay/glaze colours, etc for me to be confident.  Would be interested to know when it was likely to have been made?  

Only just seen your lampbase and it looks like a Rooke from the period that he was in Greenwich renting space from Alan Wallwork. The bases were originally made there as a lampshade manufacturer asked Bernard to supply bases for a contract that he had to supply Dunn's, a department store at the time in nearby Bromley. So 1960s.

big ed wrote:31" high Bernard Rooke 12 piece lamp Base C 1964 glazed tongue & Melted Glass.

Strange …..I bought this same lamp today, it seems to match your photo on this post. I really love it though there is no signature by Rooke. I get so much pleasure from the beautiful-ugly materiality of his work. I hope it is one of his pieces?

It is interesting but Bernard Rooke? Discuss.

Yes it's Rooke , I sold it to the London Dealer among other things when she visited us a while back her site is OSI Modern , it's unsigned but confirmed by Bernard himself , I bought it from glasgow antique centre years ago , Ed

Thanks Big Ed, you would have been the person the lady from OSI mentioned, nice to know its recent travels, staying put now though. Louise

Thats great louise , it will look really good when set up   , Ed

BTW it dates from around 1964

Just as an aside, Bernard was a member of the CPA (Craftsmen Potters Association) in the early days but it was his use of metal rods in his lampbases that resulted in him leaving the organisation.

From my source the use of metal was used by some members of the committee to suggest that it wasn't really pottery and that he should be asked to leave. Although he did leave, it is possible that he resigned before any final decision was made.

Basically, it was an argument between traditionalists and the more experimental members.

I think in that case the traditionalists needed their heads examined .lampbases need a fitting at the top either plastic or metalic , the rods are needed in the case of heavy lamps with interchangable parts , The CPA loss Imo .

I think that it was all to do with sandals, handles and lentils and nothing to do with the metal.

studio-pots wrote:I think that it was all to do with sandals, handles and lentils and nothing to do with the metal.

   

Alex_s wrote:Incidentally, I'd be interested to know if anyone comes across any more 'totem' lamp bases for sale. I wouldn't mind more then one, and I have someone else interested too.

This one is an original handbuilt piece from circa 64 , it's for sale ..eventually but weighs a ton so it would need to be collected

Looks interesting. Collect from where

Newport S. wales

Hmm - that's a bit of a drive! Let me know if you decide on a price anyway.

ok ,   

large 19" Tall Rooke Vase

Picked this up today, am I right in believing this is by Bernard Rooke, measures 13" x 13", incised BR, very faint, on side.

Also what might the date be for this piece?

Thanks

Paul

It'll be one of the moulded pieces that his sons did - so late 1980s into the 1990s.

a few chips here and there on this one but still a goodun' ( handbuilt)

Vase Marked Rooke & Made In England

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A lovely 11" table lamp - no Bermard Rooke stamps or marks but I'm guessing its by him.

I would like to share this photo of a Rooke pot with you. It belonged to my late mother-in-law and was found when clearing her apartment. Unfortunately another member of the family beat me to it. I was with my mother-in-law back in the early 1970s when we bought it from the mill in Suffolk. Gordon.