Clarice Cliff is a ceramic designer who was born to working class parents in Stoke on Trent. Her brightly colored and hand painted pottery items were initially considered tacky. However, her talent and hard work led her to become an internationally acclaimed ceramic designer. The same bright pottery now has worldwide demand, and also gave her the title of the Sunshine Girl.
Clarice Cliff pottery pieces have white bases with geometric patterns and her signature bright colors which were considered bold for that time. In the spring of 1928, her first collection was launched, called Bizarre Ware. She proposed the name to draw attention to how basic white pieces could be revamped by adding a bright Clarice Cliff touch.
Her designs drew interest from all over the world and were stocked at various outlets. While the Applique collection remains the most popular these days, the Inspiration range was the most sought after and priciest in the 1930s. The exquisite pieces of these collections were produced at very high temperatures and exclusively designed for an elite audience.
Cliff recognized that innovation is the key to growth and success, so she constantly designed new patterns and combinations. In fact, Cliff and her team have produced more than 350 captivating designs.
Her pieces are regarded as novelties and have high demand. Many housewives claimed that their boring lives were now peppered with color. One can say that the success of Clarice Cliff pottery might be due to the times of economic hardship during which it was introduced. Her designs have a timeless appeal and are regarded as collectibles to date.
There was a surge in demand for larger wares from Cliff’s collection over eight years ago, although most buyers are on the hunt for smaller pieces today. Her sugar sifters remain highly sought after, as they combine functionality and art for kitchens. People are also interested in buying coasters for their homes bearing the classic Cliff patterns. Although ashtrays were also produced, they are not very popular as smoking has become less popular.
Although one would expect damaged items to lose up to 60% of their value, Clarice Cliff pieces are not significantly devalued in the case of damage.
When buying a Clarice Cliff item, experts advise that you should check the unpainted parts to figure out if it is original or restored since the classic honey glaze is difficult to perfectly repair.
