This week we are sharing pieces from our collection of George Clews "Blue Chameleonware" Art Deco ceramics made in England in the Twenties and Thirties.
Not all of George Clews's production boasted ambitious, exotic and highly-decorated graphic design. A more understated, Modernist look was produced, too. In an attempt to emulate the expensive, hand-thrown studio pottery of the day (like Ruskin), David Capper developed simpler, organic glazes which looked random and spontaneous.
The piece above, made in the Twenties or Thirties, has a triangular, "pinched-top" opening, like a handmade art piece might have. It is finished with dripping, organic glazes in cornflower blue and mossy green. This interesting glaze provides a unique, "studio pottery" look on a slip-cast form at a price within reach of a middle class Englishman—or Australian, Canadian or South African. George Clews developed an extensive export program to the British Commonwealth countries. Click on the photo above to learn more about this piece. Or click here to see an assortment of Chameleonware pieces currently on-offer in the LEO Design on-line store.
More Chameleonware pottery tomorrow and in the days to come.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248