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.

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14 items found:

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

Clarice Cliff Bizarre ''Ravel'' conical cup & saucer together…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre "Ravel" Cup, Saucer, Beaker, and Jam Pot

Clarice Cliff Bizarre ''Ravel'' conical cup & saucer together with a matching beaker and a jam pot no lid. Beaker 9.5 cm.

A c1930 Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Diamonds' part coffee set,…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Diamonds' Coffee Set

A c1930 Clarice Cliff Bizarre 'Diamonds' part coffee set, includes 'tankard' form coffee pot with restored lid, sugar, and cream plus three coffee cans and saucers, one can restored, one with crazing. The coffee pot height 19 cm.

Clarice Cliff ' My Garden' beaker vase tubular shape, marks to…

Clarice Cliff Garden Beaker Vase

Clarice Cliff ' My Garden' beaker vase tubular shape, marks to base, 18 cm height

Clarice Cliff seven piece 'Autumn Leaf' drink set comprising a…

"Autumn Leaf" Drink Set with Jug and Six Mugs

Clarice Cliff seven piece 'Autumn Leaf' drink set comprising a jug and six mugs

Beaker vase early 20th century, Wilkinson Pottery with hand…

Clarice Cliff Beaker Vase with Fantastque Decoration

Beaker vase early 20th century, Wilkinson Pottery with hand painted Fantastque decoration by Clarice Cliff, printed factory mark base, impressed Underglase no 196, height 16 cm, (small firing blemish)

Clarice Cliff Bizarre tumbler in Gayday pattern, printed mark,…

Clarice Cliff Gayday Tumbler

Clarice Cliff Bizarre tumbler in Gayday pattern, printed mark, 7 cm height

Clarice Cliff, Fantasque' Tankard Coffee Pot and Coffee Can…

Clarice Cliff Fantasque Tankard Coffee Set

Clarice Cliff, Fantasque' Tankard Coffee Pot and Coffee Can with Saucer, c. 1931, Orange House' pattern, printed factory marks to base 'Bizarre Hand Painted Fantasque by Clarice Cliff Newport Pottery England, coffee pot height 19 cm. Provenance: Andrew…

A Clarice Cliff Fantasque 'Sunrise' beaker, circa 1928-30, the…

Clarice Cliff Sunrise Beaker

A Clarice Cliff Fantasque 'Sunrise' beaker, circa 1928-30, the conical beaker decorated to two green bordered reserves in blue, orange, green with black details upon a cream ground; with Fantasque Wilkinson backstamp underside, height 11.5 cm

Clarice Cliff, designed by Dame Laura Knight Ballerinas pattern…

Clarice Cliff Bizarre Ballerina Tankard by Laura Knight

Clarice Cliff, designed by Dame Laura Knight Ballerinas pattern Bizarre tankard, c. 1934 hand painted, with factory marks to base and Laura Knight facsimile signature. Height 16.5 cm

Clarice Cliff Forest Glen beaker

Forest Glen Clarice Cliff Beaker

Clarice Cliff Forest Glen beaker

Seven piece Clarice Cliff lemonade set in autumn tones, 6 mugs…

Autumnal Clarice Cliff Lemonade Set with 6 Mugs and Jug

Seven piece Clarice Cliff lemonade set in autumn tones, 6 mugs & a jug

Clarice Cliff, 'Fantasque' tankard coffee pot 'Broth' pattern,…

Clarice Cliff Fantasque Tankard Coffee Pot

Clarice Cliff, 'Fantasque' tankard coffee pot 'Broth' pattern, printed factory marks to base 'Hand Painted Fantasque by Clarice Cliff Wilkinson England', stamped 'Lawleys Norfolk Pottery in Stoke'. Height 19 cm

Clarice Cliff Bizarre beaker, Crocus

Bizarre Crocus Beaker by Clarice Cliff

Clarice Cliff Bizarre beaker, Crocus

Clarice Cliff Bizarre'Gayday' pair of beakers hand painted with…

Clarice Cliff Hand Painted Flower Beakers

Clarice Cliff Bizarre'Gayday' pair of beakers hand painted with flowers. Height 9.5 cm