The life story of English potter and designer Clarice Cliff, (1899-1972) is a real-life rags-to riches story. Clarice was born in the potteries area in Tunstall, Staffordshire in 1899, and her father was an iron moulder, while her mother took in washing.

She attended school until age 13 and then left to work in a lowly paid job in the potteries. At that time the potteries were the major employers of women in the North Staffordshire and at the time she commenced work there were over 20,000 women employed.

The jobs for women ranged from being assistants to the men who threw the pots, to the less menial but repetitive task of painting prescribed designs onto clay blanks.

After 10 years, and a several of changes of employer, she had learned a number of trades and mastered the techniques of gilding, enamelling, lithography and design.

At more...

77 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Clarice Cliff (British, 1899-1972), Bizarre pair of…

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' Candlesticks, c. 1931, 20 cm tall

Clarice Cliff (British, 1899-1972), Bizarre pair of candlesticks, c. 1931, 'Crocus' pattern, printed factory marks to bases 'Crocus hand painted Bizarre by Clarice Cliff Newport Pottery England', height 20 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Clarice Cliff Bizarre ''Crocus'' coffee set to include coffee…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre "Crocus" Coffee Set with Damaged Pieces

Clarice Cliff Bizarre ''Crocus'' coffee set to include coffee pot, six each coffee cans & saucers, cream & sugar bowl. Pot 20 cm high. Nb one cup and one saucer damaged.

A Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' pattern five piece tea suite of teapot,…

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' Tea Suite: Teapot, Sugar Bowl, Creamer, Plate

A Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' pattern five piece tea suite of teapot, length 19 cm, sugar bowl, creamer salt and small plate

A hand painted Clarice Cliff Crocus pattern tea suite…

Hand-painted Clarice Cliff Crocus Tea Set with Repaired Sugar Bowl

A hand painted Clarice Cliff Crocus pattern tea suite comprising coffee pot, jug - large crack, smaller jug, teacup and saucer trio, sugar bowl-repaired to rim

A pair of Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' salt and pepper shakers, 1930s,…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Salt & Pepper Shakers, 1930s

A pair of Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' salt and pepper shakers, 1930s, hand painted pillar shakers with marks for Newport Pottery and design title underside, 7 cm high

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus pattern milk jug 9 cm height

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Milk Jug

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus pattern milk jug 9 cm height

Clarice Cliff Crocus pattern dinner ware comprising two tureen…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Dinnerware Set

Clarice Cliff Crocus pattern dinner ware comprising two tureen and covers, six dinners, six entree plates (one with rim chip), six b&b plates, six bowls, three graduated ashets and gravy boat with tray

A Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' Bizarre miniature dish and tea cup and…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Bizarre Miniature Dish and Tea Set

A Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' Bizarre miniature dish and tea cup and saucer. Diameter 7.5, 15 cm

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus toast rack width 12.5 cm minor…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Toast Rack with Minor Chip

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus toast rack width 12.5 cm minor chip to side

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre honey pot, in the crocus pattern,…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Honey Pot

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre honey pot, in the crocus pattern, printed mark to base. 7.5 x 7.5 cm.

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' Clog/Sabot, orange, green &…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Clog/Sabot

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' Clog/Sabot, orange, green & yellow crocuses on white ground, marked to base, length 14 cm H 5 cm

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' handpainted suite consisting of bowls…

Crocus Suite by Clarice Cliff

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' handpainted suite consisting of bowls and dish dia23 cm

Three Clarice Cliff jugs in the Bizarre Crocus pattern, circa…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Jugs - Set of Three

Three Clarice Cliff jugs in the Bizarre Crocus pattern, circa 1930 the largest 15 cm high

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' bowl, height 7.5 cm, width 15…

Crocus Bowl by Clarice Cliff

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' bowl, height 7.5 cm, width 15 cm

A Clarice Ciff Bizarre 'Crocus' trio

Ciff's Bizarre Crocus Trio

A Clarice Ciff Bizarre 'Crocus' trio

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' Clog/Sabot, orange, green &…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Clog/Sabot

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' Clog/Sabot, orange, green & yellow crocuses on white ground, marked to base, length 14 cm, height 8 cm

Clarice Cliff crocus jug 13 cm high.

Crocus Jug by Clarice Cliff - 13cm

Clarice Cliff crocus jug 13 cm high.

A Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' bowl and plate. Diameter 16 cm and 23…

Crocus Bowl and Plate by Clarice Cliff

A Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' bowl and plate. Diameter 16 cm and 23 cm.

Two Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' display plates diameter 25 cm…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Display Plates - 25cm Diameter with Scratches

Two Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' display plates diameter 25 cm scratches

Clarice Cliff two Crocus pattern jugs 18 cm & 15.5 cm

Pair of Clarice Cliff Crocus Jugs

Clarice Cliff two Crocus pattern jugs 18 cm & 15.5 cm

Clarice Cliff Crocus pattern cruet set, salt & pepper & mustard…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Cruet Set

Clarice Cliff Crocus pattern cruet set, salt & pepper & mustard pot with lid

Three Clarice Cliff 'Fantasque' grapefruit bowls together with…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Bowl Collection

Three Clarice Cliff 'Fantasque' grapefruit bowls together with two others, circa 1930, including 'Crocus', 'Blue Chintz', and 'Pastel Melon' patterns from the Bizarre range, each approx 5 cm high, 12 cm wide, 17 cm long

Clarice Cliff ceramic trio cup, saucer and plate, Crocus…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Trio Set

Clarice Cliff ceramic trio cup, saucer and plate, Crocus pattern, marked to bases.

Clarice Cliff Bizarre coffee cup & saucer 'Crocus' pattern,…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Cup & Saucer

Clarice Cliff Bizarre coffee cup & saucer 'Crocus' pattern, marked to bases.

Clarice Cliff Bizarre coffee pot 'Crocus' pattern, marked to…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Coffee Pot

Clarice Cliff Bizarre coffee pot 'Crocus' pattern, marked to base, height 19 cm

Pair Clarice Cliff Bizarre coffee cups & saucers 'Crocus'…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Coffee Set

Pair Clarice Cliff Bizarre coffee cups & saucers 'Crocus' pattern conical Art Deco handles, marked to bases.

Clarice Cliff ceramic pepperette Crocus pattern, marked 'Made…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Pepperette

Clarice Cliff ceramic pepperette Crocus pattern, marked 'Made in England' to base, height 7.5 cm

Clarice Cliff Bizarre cream jug 'Crocus' pattern, marked to…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Cream Jug

Clarice Cliff Bizarre cream jug 'Crocus' pattern, marked to base, height 7 cm

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' jam pot in form of fruit. 1930's…

1930s Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Fruit Jam Pot

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' jam pot in form of fruit. 1930's Bizarre mark

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' honey pot of beehive form, chip…

1930's Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Beehive Honey Pot

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' honey pot of beehive form, chip to lid inner rim. 1930's Bizarre mark

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' sugar castor of conical form, 13.…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Sugar Castor

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' sugar castor of conical form, 13.5 cm high

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre jug, Crocus pattern, 'Bonjour' shape,…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Jug, Bonjour Shape, 1932

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre jug, Crocus pattern, 'Bonjour' shape, hairline crack to side, label to base '1932'. Provenance: The Flower Family Collection.

Clarice Cliff Bizarre crocus coffee pot c1932, height 19 cm

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Coffee Pot

Clarice Cliff Bizarre crocus coffee pot c1932, height 19 cm

Vintage Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' sugar bowl, with lid,…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Sugar Bowl with Lid

Vintage Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' sugar bowl, with lid, marked to base, with Reg. No. 776245. Height 10 cm approx.

Clarice Cliff, Five Chester Fern Pots, including 'Gayday',…

Clarice Cliff Chester Fern Pots Collection

Clarice Cliff, Five Chester Fern Pots, including 'Gayday', 'Crocus', 'Original Bizarre' and 'Spring Crocus' pattern, printed factory marks to bases (5), height 9 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Clarice Cliff, Five Covered Preserve Pots, Windbells', 'Gayday',…

Clarice Cliff Preserve Pots in Multiple Patterns

Clarice Cliff, Five Covered Preserve Pots, Windbells', 'Gayday', 'Broth', 'Coral Firs', and 'Crocus' pattern, raised shape number '230' and printed factory marks to bases (5), height 8 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Clarice Cliff 'Çrocus' lidded sugar bowl, floral decorated with…

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' Sugar Bowl with Yellow Lid

Clarice Cliff 'Çrocus' lidded sugar bowl, floral decorated with yellow lid. Marked to base and Regn. No. 770245. (As inspected: small rim chip to corner of lid). Height 11 cm (total).

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus trio

Crocus Trio by Clarice Cliff

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus trio

Clarice Cliff Bizarre crocus octagonal jug, 15 cm high approx

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Octagonal Jug - 15 cm

Clarice Cliff Bizarre crocus octagonal jug, 15 cm high approx

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Peter Pan' milk jug and 'Crocus'…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Milk Jug and Plate

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Peter Pan' milk jug and 'Crocus' plate$1930-35, the conical jug with a silver plated lid and octagonal plate both decorated with crocus in blue, orange and purple colours, the jug with wavy lines typical of the Peter Pan pattern;…

A large Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Autumn Crocus' jug$1928-35, the…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Autumn Crocus Jug

A large Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Autumn Crocus' jug$1928-35, the tapering jug shape 24 decorated with crocus in blue, orange and purple colours above tan and green borders; with Bizarre Newport stamp and title underside, height 20.5 cm

A sixteen piece Clarice Cliff 'Autumn Crocus' tea and coffee…

Clarice Cliff 'Autumn Crocus' Tea & Coffee Set

A sixteen piece Clarice Cliff 'Autumn Crocus' tea and coffee service$1928-35 (teapot); and after 1952, comprising a teapot, coffee pot, sugar bowl and six demitasse cups and saucers in blue, orange and purple colours with tan and green borders; one with…

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' octagonal dish brightly decorated with…

Colorful Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' Octagonal Dish

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' octagonal dish brightly decorated with blue, purple and orange flowers, yellow banded interior. Stamped to the base.

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' pattern bowl, 21 cm diameter, 9…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Pattern Bowl - Scratched Inside

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' pattern bowl, 21 cm diameter, 9 cm high, scratches to inside centre

A Clarice Cliff 'Bizarre' Crocus pattern jug, 'Athens' shape.…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Jug, Athens Shape

A Clarice Cliff 'Bizarre' Crocus pattern jug, 'Athens' shape. Height 15 cm

A Clarice Cliff Fantasque Bizarre 'Crocus' pattern design plate.…

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' Plate

A Clarice Cliff Fantasque Bizarre 'Crocus' pattern design plate. Printed black Newport pottery factory marks to base. Diameter 20 cm.

Two small Clarice Cliff pin dishes, one 'Crocus' pattern, the…

Clarice Cliff Pin Dishes: Crocus & Gayday Patterns

Two small Clarice Cliff pin dishes, one 'Crocus' pattern, the other 'Gayday'. Diameter 9.5 cm

Three Clarice Cliff 'Crocus'plates, diameter 15 cm approx

"Crocus" Trio: Clarice Cliff Plates

Three Clarice Cliff 'Crocus'plates, diameter 15 cm approx

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' trio comprising a cup, saucer &…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Trio

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' trio comprising a cup, saucer & plate, stamped 'Crocus hand painted Bizarre by Clarice Cliff Newport pottery England'. Condition, good, minor paint losses & crazing consistant with age, diameter of plate, 17.5 cm

Clarice Cliff, Bizarre' Athens jug, Crocus' pattern, the…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Octagonal Jug

Clarice Cliff, Bizarre' Athens jug, Crocus' pattern, the octagonal sided jug with flared foot and square angled handle, with printed factory marks to base 'Royal Staffordshire pottery England A. J. Willkinson Ltd Honeyglaze Clarice Cliff, height 20.5 cm

A 'Crocus' Clarice Cliff vase (A/F)

Crocus Clarice Cliff Vase (A/F)

A 'Crocus' Clarice Cliff vase (A/F)

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' jug

Crocus Jug by Clarice Cliff

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' jug

Clarice Cliff 'Bizarre' plate, 'Sungay' pattern together with…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Plates Duo

Clarice Cliff 'Bizarre' plate, 'Sungay' pattern together with Clarice Cliff 'Bizarre' 'Autumn Crocus' plate

A Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' patterned jam pot (8 cm), & a 'Blue…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Jam Pot & Blue Gardenia Pin Dish

A Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' patterned jam pot (8 cm), & a 'Blue Gardenia' patterned pin dish (7 cm diameter)

An 'Autumn Crocus' float bowl by Clarice Cliff, circa 1930, the…

Clarice Cliff Autumn Crocus Float Bowl

An 'Autumn Crocus' float bowl by Clarice Cliff, circa 1930, the float bowl of typical inverted form in orange, blue and purple colours around an amber circle on a honey glazed ground with a yellow rim; with Newport pottery backstamp underside and pattern…

A Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' patterned English porcelain sugar bowl,…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Porcelain Sugar Bowl, 1930s

A Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' patterned English porcelain sugar bowl, circa 1930s. 4 cm high, 7 cm diameter

A Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' patterned English porcelain biscuit…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Porcelain Biscuit Barrel, 1930s

A Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' patterned English porcelain biscuit barrel, 1930s. 19 cm high

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Blue Crocus' small clog, circa 1930long

1930s Clarice Cliff Blue Crocus Small Clog

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Blue Crocus' small clog, circa 1930long

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' small clog, circa 1930long

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Clog (9 words)

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' small clog, circa 1930long

Clarice Cliff spring Crocus dish, approx 12 cm diameter

Spring Crocus Clarice Cliff Dish

Clarice Cliff spring Crocus dish, approx 12 cm diameter

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' pattern mustard pot, salt and…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Mustard Pot, Salt & Pepper Set

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Crocus' pattern mustard pot, salt and pepper, the pot with original lid.

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' patterned Art Deco porcelain vase. 17.5…

Art Deco Porcelain Vase with Crocus Pattern

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' patterned Art Deco porcelain vase. 17.5 cm.

A Clarice Cliff 'Bizarre' crocus pattern bowl & stand 14 x 7 cm

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Bowl & Stand

A Clarice Cliff 'Bizarre' crocus pattern bowl & stand 14 x 7 cm

A Clarice Cliff Crocus pattern tea ware, together with a honey…

Crocus Tea Set and Honey Pot

A Clarice Cliff Crocus pattern tea ware, together with a honey pot and cover

A Clarice Cliff Wilkinson 'Crocus' pattern bowl, the wide…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Bowl

A Clarice Cliff Wilkinson 'Crocus' pattern bowl, the wide encircling band with hand painted crocus flower decoration in orange, purple and blue, green leaf highlights, banded pan base. Printed marks to base. Diameter 21.2 cm

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' cruet set, comprising of a salt shaker…

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' Cruet Set

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' cruet set, comprising of a salt shaker (8 cm high), pepper shaker (7.5 cm high) and lidded mustard pot (6.2 cm high)

A twenty one piece Clarice Cliff orange crocus pattern part tea…

Clarice Cliff Orange Crocus Tea Set - 21 Pieces

A twenty one piece Clarice Cliff orange crocus pattern part tea service.

Clarice Cliff crocus honey pot with bee shaped finial, 9.5 cm…

Crocus Honey Pot with Bee Finial by Clarice Cliff

Clarice Cliff crocus honey pot with bee shaped finial, 9.5 cm approx

Clarice Cliff: Bizarre Ware 'Crocus' pattern wash jug and basin.…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Ware Crocus Wash Set

Clarice Cliff: Bizarre Ware 'Crocus' pattern wash jug and basin. Height 25.5 cm

Clarice Cliff Art Deco 24 pieces part tea and dinner, set, in…

Clarice Cliff Spring Crocus Art Deco Dinnerware Set

Clarice Cliff Art Deco 24 pieces part tea and dinner, set, in the 'Spring Crocus' design, design first introduced c.1935, comprising of: six dinner plates, six bread plates, six side plates, three graduated jugs, fruit bowl, sugar bowl with lid, teapot…

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' small cauldron

Crocus Cauldron by Clarice Cliff

Clarice Cliff 'Crocus' small cauldron

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus pattern jug, circa 1935, the jug…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Pattern Jug, 1935

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus pattern jug, circa 1935, the jug painted with flowers in bloom on a yellow ground with tan banding, black factory mark. 10 cm high

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus pattern jug, circa 1935, the jug…

Clarice Cliff Crocus Jug

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus pattern jug, circa 1935, the jug moulded ringed decoration, of baluster form, painted with flowers in bloom on a yellow ground with tan banding, black factory mark. 29 cm high

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus pattern teapot, circa 1935, the…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus Teapot

A Clarice Cliff Bizarre Crocus pattern teapot, circa 1935, the teapot painted with flowers in bloom on a yellow ground, black factory mark. 15 cm

Clarice Cliff Crocus patterned milk jug

Crocus Milk Jug by Clarice Cliff

Clarice Cliff Crocus patterned milk jug

Clarice Cliff Bizarre beaker, Crocus

Bizarre Crocus Beaker by Clarice Cliff

Clarice Cliff Bizarre beaker, Crocus

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Gayday' and 'Crocus' Clogs both with…

Floral Decorated Clarice Cliff Clogs

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Gayday' and 'Crocus' Clogs both with floral decoration. Length 12 cm