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Roger
MICHELL
Lustre
POTTERY
catalogue
1973 to 2007
TEAPOT
designs
Roger MICHELL Lustre POTTERY
TEAPOTdesigns
catalogue 1973 to 2007
Contents
Introduction
1. Small edition, studio version teapots
2. Manufactured teapots
3. One-off, studio version teapots
Select designs
Introduction
Roger Michell has been making teapots for more than 40 years, these are just some
of them. They reveal an unusual and exhaustive imagination, a love for decoration
and a sculpural skill that “these days,” he says, “comes naturally and without effort.”
Much inspiration is drawn from the naive sensibilities of the 18th. century creamware
craft potteries, early Chinese pottery and pre-war innocence.
The catalogue is divided into 3 sections, limited edition teapots produced in small
numbers in the studio, manufactured teapots produced in large numbers by a pottery
factory and unique, one-off designs commissioned or exhibited in galleries across
the world.
While I have tried to include a broad sample of teapots many more are hidden in private collections across the world.
www.lustre.co.uk
1. Small edition
studio-version teapots
L
imited edition teapots are made with the specialist collector in mind. Lustre
Pottery studio production designs are made in small numbered editions ranging from 16 to 500. The number of designs in this section exceed 30. Each
teapot is individually decorated, signed and numbered by the artist. Certificates of
origin and authenticity are available on request.
Each stage of the making and decorating is carefully managed in a small, one-man
studio. Production standards are high and the integrity of the edition paramount.
Edition records are available on the pottery’s website:
http://www.lustre.co.uk
Little Willy
A
n amusing forerunner to the Walking Ware
design, also the first teapot to invigorate a
full-scale, post-war revival of that wonderful prewar tradition for unusual teapots.
This one was inspired by a Donald McGill euphamistic seaside postcard. There is also a rare
version with a white costume, ‘A tribute to Donald McGill’ written on the inside of the rim.
30 or so made.
13 cm. (5")
Storks Nest
A
thrown and turned, press-moulded teapot featuring stylised storks heads. It is beautifully decorated with exotic colors. The base is precision-painted on a decorator’s wheel with bright, bands
of green under-glaze. This teapot was designed in 1973. Subtle taste values are evident in the dual
effect of pattern and un-decoration and is typical of some of Lustre’s early designs.
Approximate height 19 cm. (7.5")
Tumbling Clown
G
lazed earthenware teapot of two circus clowns.
Designed in 1980 and manufactured by Carltonware. The one pictured is a studio version and
was made in 2001 from an original mould. Only 16 of
these were made.
24 cm. (9.5")
Top right: clown preserve pot, middle right:
wrestling ladies butter
dish from the Carlton
Ware Circus Series, bottom right: shows the lid
& the teapot body side
by side.
Erotic Lady
G
lazed earthenware teapot with a platinum
lustre painted lid
and handle. Some
controversy
over
the name had it altered to The Silver
Lady Teapot. A retro-looking design,
elegant , enduring
and highly collectible.
15.5 cm. (6") high
10
Indian on a Horse
I
nspired by 19th century American tobacco store
carvings and designed in 1978 in the Yorkshire
studio. Exhibited with great success in Strangeways,
King’s Road and Kettle’s Yard, Camebridge. Cast in
earthenware with a small, square base and decorated
in various colors and patterns. A small white teapot
(pictured below) had a lid that was interchangeable.
Around about 60 were made although none of them
were numbered.
27 cm. (10.5")
11
Girl on a Horse
G
irl on a horse was designed
in 1985 and some very lovely
decorative version exist. It was cast
in earthenware and sponge decorated in a variety of colors including
grey, green and black.
Roger says that she is being chased
by the Indian on the previous page
and this may be true. I wonder if he
ever captured her?
28 cm. (11")
12
Cabbage Teapot
Idea, original drawings and color
palette by Kaffe Fasset, design
and realization by Roger.
A
large teapot holding 4 pints,
designed by Roger from drawings by that reknowned designer of
colorful knitware, Kaffe Fasset. 35
were made from an edition of 60.
The mould is made with actual
cabbage leaves and I remember
Roger buying a beautiful cabbage
home from the supermarket. I was
amazed at the detail and intricacy
that was possible from the plaster.
Cast in earthenware with an extruded handle and the snail finial is
sculpted.
28 cm. (11")
13
Cross Legs or x-legs
A
perfectly proportioned 1/2 pint teapot with a neat, round body largely sold by Helen and Keith
through the Carltonware Collectors Club International ran by them at the time. Like earlier versions
it was designed and made by Roger and decorated by Danka Napiorkowska. Only 60 were made before the edition was closed and the moulds destroyed.
23 cm. (11")
14
Knobware or Knobby
A
nother teapot for CWCCI (affectionately named by Keith as The Full Monty). Designed in 1999
as a further addition to the Walking Ware range. It is a large teapot holding 11/2 pints, 37 made
from a limited edition of 60.
23 cm. (9")
15
Lion Tamer
“Better to live a day of a tiger than a lifetime of a sheep” Tipu
Sultan.”
Above: Lustre
Above: Lustre
Pottery black &
Pottery Tipoo Tiger
white lion tamer
Gravy Boat 1978.
G
lazed earthenware teapot inspired by theTipoo Tiger legend in which the Sultan Tipoo incarnated
as a tiger mauls an English soldier during the British colonialism. A nice, rounded shape, this
tiger seems much more friendly and is hugging his tamer. An altogether more affectionate relationship than the original. Designed in 2002, it took Danka Napiorkowska 4 hours to decorate the colored
version while the black and white version is very simple and very smart. 25 made from an edition of
100.
23 cm. (9")
16
The Hat Family
A
great set of teapots, cast in earthenware, undecorated with a rich glaze. Remember the ‘beany’?
Each teapot has a rose.
They are stamped on the front of the hat, Carlton Ware
Lustre Pottery England 2005.
1. Mum holds 1 pt. or 3 cups of tea (600mltrs.). 17 cm.
(6.5") high.
1. Mum
2. Boy
2. Boy holds a little less than half a pint or 2 cups of
tea (420 mltrs.). 14 cm. (5.5") high.
3. Girl holds one third of a pint or 2 cups of tea (300
mltrs.). 14.5 cm. (5.5") high.
4. Dad holds 1.5 pts or 5 cups of tea (900mltrs.).
19 cm. (7.5") high.
3. Girl
4. Dad
17
Girl on a Horse with Bird on Hat
A
n exquisite horse teapot designed in 2006.
Cast in porcelain in the French studio and
finished with a satin glaze. Decorated in various
colors, this one has swirls of gold lustre across
the body. A limited edition of 100. Signed, numbered and/or impressed with the makers mark,
RS Michell England.
28 cm (11")
18
Above:
decorated
in shades of brown,
randomly sponged
over the surface.
Some lid designs.
19
A
specially
commis-
sioned teapot decorated
with black under glaze
sprayed using an airgun.
The rider is decorated
in pale blue enamel. A
commemorative
mes-
sage in pure gold lustre is painted onto the
horse’s shoulder.
20
A
very sensitively modeled teapot in the style
of a ceremonial Chinese sculpture. Cast in
beautiful porcelain and sponge decorated in various colors including black, brown and pale green.
Etched lines through the color adds a delicate texture somehow increasing the look of fragility. The
rider’s expresison is one of peacefulness and passivity. Limited edition of 100.
Child on a Horse
20 cm. (8")
21
Cat on a Horse
G
lazed porcelain teapot of a trotting horse on a half-moon base, early versions have a cat, some
later versions were subject to experimental glaze techniques that I think turned out marvellously.
They were beautiful rich blues and yellow toffee colours, I think that these are absolutely stunning although we have not put them on public sale. Limited edition of 100.
21 cm. (8.5")
22
Dodo
G
lazed porcelain teapot supported on a decorative, half-moon base depicting the oh so sweet,
dodo bird and her family. Some marvellous decorative patterns including pure platinum lustre.
21.5 cm. (8.5")
23
A special commission for The Iowa Museum of Natural
History, Iowa City University - painted in black underglaze,
pure gold lustre and enamel.
24
Walking Ware Edition ≈ The French Set
25
T
he following teapots are part of the Walking Ware series and were designed in 2006. These ones
are hand made in the studio in porcelain that glazes sharp white. Porcelain is extraordinarily durable, brittle and very pretty. There are two sorts of teapot in this series, one has a plain body while the
other is sprayed through fine French lace with a black under glaze. It is one of the few walking teapots
with all-over decoration and some rare versions are pictured overleaf. Roger likes the plain version, I
like the sprayed one, it is very delicate, very pretty and very ‘French.’
Made in a limited edition of 100 and each one signed on the base, Roger Michell Lustre Pottery 2006.
We numbered the teapots only especially for our teapot collectors.
21 cm. (8.25")
26
The French Set
Colors and patterns which can be commissioned or pre-designed. The complete tea
set includes 2 cups, a milk jug and a sugar
bowl..
14 cm. (5.5"). high
27
Specially commissioned French Set teapot
decorated with pale yellow under glaze
with platinum lustre shoes. Another one
has pure gold lustre shoes. A very special
teapot indeed.
28
Walking Ware Edition ≈ Long John Silver
A
fun teapot depicting Long John Silver in Treasure Island. Fourteen were
made in the French Set edition and they
are like the older style Long John Silver set
but definitely new. Quite a few seconds
as the heat of the kiln and the weight of
the body caused them to slump, nevertheless, most of them survived in one form or
another.
21 cm. (8")
29
Walking Ware Teapot 2007
A
2007 version of the Walking Ware teaset. A
lovely, simple design, very sassy and a really
good addition to the existing Walking Ware series.
This tea set consists of 12 pieces. Roger cast and
decorated them entirely in the studio and they are limited to about 100 pieces each. They are all signed
and numbered.
18.5 cm. (7.5")
30
Lion Teapot 2007
T
he lion teapot - inspired by a wonderfully decorative pair of eighteenth century candlesticks depicting
the fable of the lion and the fox. Needless to say this is very laid back version, it is of course, ironic. Roger made
a pure white porcelain version and a
golden yellow one that was more popular with collectors. Others are richly
decorated using bronze, gold and platinum lustre. It’s a well balanced teapot
with a long, elegant spout and it looks
as good from the back as it does from
the front. Etching on the foliage adds
depth and texture to the color.
22 cm. high (8.5")
31
32
Pineapple Teapot 2007
T
he pineapple teapot is part of a series of design-led,
sculpted teapots based on a vegetable theme. It is
cast in porcelain and decorated in graduating shades of
golden yellow, some with lustre resist. An elegant teapot with classical shapes using a highly precision-skilled
modeling technique. The lid measures 10cm. high and is
made up of individual leaves fixed around a central column, a pale green glaze gathers in viscous pools along
their centres. The symmetry in the surface of the teapot
body is achieved with uniform triangular shapes, modelled
entirely by hand. Splashes of bright yellow deepen to
mustard and pale brown, eventually darkening to a paleish, amulet green. The surface of the black, flared column
footring is etched to reveal the white clay beneath. An
extravagant pulled handle and press-moulded spout are
joined to the pot with moulded leaves. A tall teapot, 32
cm high (12.5”) from the base to the tip of the lid.
22 cm. high (8.5")
33
Artichoke Teapot 2007
T
he artichoke teapot is part of a series of design-led, sculptured teapots based on a vegetable theme. It has a short creamy white spout, a
round stalk finial and an extravagantly large pulled
handle.
Its flanged lid is made up of 5 leaves with a unique
fit. Deliciously decorated with shades of green that
deepen towards the base of the teapot. The foot
ring is a deep blue/green conical stand upon a wafer-slim, circular base painted in black or chocolate,
this color is reflected in occasional brush marks
across the surface of the teapot body and symmetrically on each leaf of the lid. Etched lines and
cross brush strokes add a rich textural finish to this
fabulous teapot.
19.5 cm. high (7.5")
34
2. Manufactured
Teapots
35
F
rom 1973 to 1986 many Lustre Pottery designs were manufactured and sold by Carltonware in Stoke-on-Trent. Also, the Rising Hawk Pottery received a licence to manufacture some of their
designs in 1976. Both potteries worked to an excellent standard
and these productions remain highly collectible. The manufacturing
process involved large-scale casting and some designs were modified for factory production. All manufactured Lustre designs were
made in earthenware. Danka Napiorkowska instructed the paintresses in all aspects of the decorative process.
36
Camel Teapot 1976
Glazed earthenware teapot manufactured by Carlton Ware as part of their Animal Series. A very pretty
design with decoration devised by Danka Napiorkowska, the patterns on the body are applied with
transfers and there are also some very rare platinum editions. Height 17.5 cm. (7")
Thrown & turned versions of this teapot were exhibited in 1979 alongside Alan Caiger-Smith at the Concorso Internationale XXIV, Faenza.
37
Duck Teapot 1973
W
hat as nice little early Lustre teapot, made utilising a simple and basic design to full effect. Simply painted and representative of a return to novelty ceramic design.
15 cm. (6")
38
Tap Teapot 1973
P
arts of the domestic household that one might
rather not notice. Inane and bizarre ‘functional
fun’ range that includes a plug ashtray and a nail andscrew cruet set all made in creamy white earthenware.
22 cm. (8.5")
39
Elephant Teapot 1973
A
40
very pretty glazed earthenware teapot. The only decoration are the eyes painted in brown and black
enamel. 14 cm. (5.5")
Pyramid 1980
A
pyramid shape teapot made in earthenware. Manufactured by Carlton
Ware as part of a House & Garden range
including various transfers - lovebirds,
parrots, plant in a window and a pretty
green abstract and edged with pure gold
or platinum. Pictured is a dovecote.
26 cm. (10.5")
41
Pig Jug 1980
A
ctually a water jug but could be a teapot. Made in 2
sizes in glazed earthenware and manufactured by Carlton Ware.
18 - 22 cm. (7 - 8.5")
42
Walking Teapots 1973 - 1986
The following pages illustrate 7 Lustre Pottery
Walking Ware teapot designs. These were manufactured by Carlton Ware and Rising Hawk, they
were also made in the Lustre Pottery studio.
43
Small Walking Teapot 1973
P
art of a popular range of tableware this small teapot is made in glazed earthenware and features
colored shoes and patterned socks. Design and shape is by Roger, origination, patterns and colors, Danka Napiorkowska. A dominant and early pattern was the yellow shoes with stripey socks.
Manufactured in their thousands from 1973 to 1986 by Carltonware in Stoke-on-Trent.
16 cm. (6.5")
44
Large Walking Ware Teapot 1973
P
art of a popular range of tableware this large teapot is cast
in earthenware and features colored
shoes and patterned socks. Minimum amount of decoration equals
maximum endurance over time?
19 cm. (7.5")
45
Miniature Walking Teapot 1973
T
he miniature teapot was made after the
2 larger teapots. It is very cute and very
collectible. Manufactured by Carltonware from
1974 to 1986.
8.5 cm. (3.25")
46
Long John Silver 1974
T
he Walking Ware series Long John Silver edition
was made by Lustre and manufactured by Rising Hawk.
20 cm. (8")
47
Cross Legged Teapot 1980
A
Walking Ware teapot
with crossed legs, very
popular and very collectible.
One is plain with decorated
socks, the other is decorated
with transfers in tropical design, made shortly after Roger and his partner returned to
England from a swanky holiday in the Caribbean.
23 cm. (9")
48
Big Foot Teapot 1980
R
eally great teapot with a great big round
body and great big spotty shoes. Quite
rare really and collectible.
20.25 cm. ( 8")
49
3. One-Off Studio Version Teapots
50
T
he teapots in this section are all unique, one-off designs. All
the shapes, except for the Bristol pottery, that came from
Stoke-on-Trent casting units, are designed and individually decorated by Roger. Some earlier pieces are decorated by Danka Napiorkowska.
Up until 2005 the teapots were made mainly in earthenware, a
warm, creamy-white material favoured by craft potters of 18th
century creamware. Beautifully crafted, deeply honest every
piece is absolutely exquisite. The skills required to make these
kinds of teapots is extremely rare in today’s marketplace.
In 2005, Roger began making in porcelain.
51
French Chintz 1973
A
beautifully decorated, teapot,
cast in earthenware, emulating
a design based on French Chintz
by Daniel Wright Kellogg (American
1807 - 1874).
Thrown and turned with an extruded
handle, and decorative beading.
Very exciting precision-skilled painting by Danka Napiorkowska.
approx. 15 cm. (6")
52
Grey Lace Teapot 1973
A
n elegant, raw-glazed
teapot, cast in earthenware
and decorated with overglaze
color sprayed through lace. The
inverse shaping towards to top
of the teapot gives it a look of
tin or enamel ware. An organic
spout, handle and finial that is
largely informed by 18th. century Crabstock, revealing the
era’s newly-formed interests in
botany and the natural world.
17 cm. (6.5")
53
Cast Earthenware 1973
O
ne of the first Lustre Pottery, cast, earthenware teapot
shapes. the handle, spout and finial are quite organic
shapes, stylised to good effect. Some marvellous glazes over a
plain or decorated surface, quite oriental in feel. What a successful unusual design.
16 cm. (6.25")
54
Walking Teapot 1973
T
first handmade, thrown and turned teapot with
feet, full of naive charm this original shape
formed the prototype for the highly successful Walking Ware range. Beaded detail on the lid, a lovely
rounded body and a pert spout all makes for a teapot that we like very much.
17 cm. (6.5")
55
The Turtle Teapot 1974
A
superbly crafted teapot,
simply beautiful.
An
unusual design by the new
pottery, Roger was to use the
turtle motif again and again to
huge effect (eg. large turtle jar
above).
approx. 22 cm. (8.5")
56
Beehive Teapot 1975
D
elicately modeled, cast earthenware teapot with an organic surface that works on a parody of the coiled
teapot. Covered in a marvellous delicate
slip of pale grey/green with a clear, and
sparkling glaze over.
18 cm. (7")
57
Dolphin Fountain Teapot Stand and
Teapot 1975
A
stunning earthenware teapot with an extravagant
looped handle. Decorated to a high standard with an
intricate patterns applied by transfer. The teapot sits grandly on a fountain stand of 3 dolphins. Danka Napiorkowska is
credited with the decoration.
42 cm. (16.5")
58
Whieldon-esque 1984
S
ponge-glazed copper and manganese glazes, inspired by 18th century Whieldon.
Thrown in three sections, assembled, then turned.
These teapots are light in weight.
After spending a year making them most of the small
ones were sold to one private collector. The complete
collection has now gone abroad.
20 cm. (8.25")
59
Miniature 1981
A
superbly thrown and turned earthenware
teapot with a soft, satiny, lead glaze on
wax resist. This is one of my favourite teapots,
its fragility is incredibly endearing.
15 cm. (6")
60
Miniature Teapots 1981
S
mall and beautifully modulated,
glazed earthenware teapot.
Thrown and turned in 2 sections and
decorated in bright yellow and green and
topped with pure gold lustre.
10 - 15 cm. ( 4 - 6")
61
62
Miniature creamware 1981
A
small, thrown and turned teapot in the
style of 18th century creamware.
Thrown in two sections and with some very
interesting and intricate decorative beading
around the lid and the top of the body.
A fine fluted spout and a pretty pulled handle
makes for a very delicate design.
Cobalt, copper and manganese glaze lay,
abandoned, on the surface with a clear
glaze over.
16 cm. (2.5")
63
Whieldon-esque 1984
A
small, thrown and turned teapot with
a flattened, globular shaped body.
The pale green, brown and gold glazes are
Whieldon inspired depicting a fascination
with the natural world of mineral crystal rock
and tortoiseshell.
15 cm. (6")
64
Whieldon-esque 1984
A
small, glazed teapot with a very sweet rounded
body, thrown in three sections, assembled then
turned. These teapots are light in weight.
Extensive travelling during the eighteenth century
brought much exotica back to England and these
colored surfaces describe the Victorian fascination of
mineral and tortoiseshell surfaces.
Made with extraordinary delicacy and elegance.
15 cm. (6")
65
Silver Lustre 1984
A
thrown and turned teapot in a gorgeous
creamy-white earthenware. Decorated
in a platinum lustre resist that picks out intricate patterns of birds, trees and flowers. The
spout and neck of the teapot emulates tinware design. An extravagant looped handle
and all the component parts are thrown and
turned before assembling,
21 cm. (8")
” vigorous austerity in the making.” Roger
66
1984
A
small earthenware teapot, thrown and
turned in 2 sections with a strong flavour
of the Orient about it.
20 cm. (8")
67
Pure Gold and Toffee Manganese 1985
M
ade from 3 thrown elements:
1. the teapot body is two bowls joined rim to
rim,
2. the foot-ring, handle, lid-edge and knob are
from turned clay rings and
3. the spout is press-moulded.
One of the series of teapots whose sole intention was to achieve an aesthetic simplicity and
inventive surface around the Wheildon, soft and
fluid glazes, with a gold lustre resist. A delightful
combination of absorbent and reflective effects
on a shiny surface. The teapot is very light.
18- 20 cm. (7 - 8.5")
68
Mineral Effect 1985
T
hese teapots express the balance of classical and
folk sensibilities. The color of the teapot on the
left is made from sponged manganese to give a slightly
lilac shade of cool, near-neutral blue. The teapot on the
right is made from sponged oxides of copper, cobalt
and iron.
The random texture in the color suggests one of polished stone, although it is clear that the effect is applied. Historically, this kind of glaze reflects the aspirations of 18th century pottery to reproduce the effect of
semi-precious minerals due to its fascination with the
natural world and the rise of science. Simple 18th century pottery used these qualities, often quite naively, to
generate wonder.
“The latter part of the 20th century’s
15 - 18 cm. (6 - 7")
preoccupation with ‘art’ gave me a terrific sense of enjoyment in whispering a
small but delightful subtlety.” Roger
69
P
ress-moulded and glazed earthenware
agate teapot. Built with colored clay
rings with the handle, lid-rim and foot-ring attached to three press-moulded hemispheres.
The problem is how to get the agate pattern
into a smooth curved shape and the irregular shrinkage of the different clay colors often
causes cracking.
Glazed Agate 1985
20 cm. (8")
70
Miniature Agate 1985
T
hrown and turned miniature earthenware teapot made
by mixing and slicing different colored clays together.
A tiny, unglazed pot with emergent colors beneath a crisp,
lustrous, matte finish.
“Miniature teapot collector Joseph Jackson QC..(dec.) had
over 1500 tiny teapots. He theorised that every potter had
made a miniature teapot and set out to prove it. He also
commissioned me to make a miniature of every teapot I had
designed. These agate teapots were made for him and of
the sixty made most went to his collection. I also made a
portrait pot, illustrated, among others, in Janet Street-Porter’s book on teapots.” Roger Michell.
“Unglazed agate ware; from my love of all 18th. C
10.5 cm. (4")
pottery.”
71
Feather and Wax Resist with overhead handle. 1985 - 6
L
argely experimental, these teapots were an intended exploration of
the boundaries of the development of design philosophies using
simple and inventive shape and surface from the elements of thrown clay
and direct pattern.
In assembling thrown and turned elements to investigate some of the
design qualities found in the curious admixture of the Victorian designer
Christopher Dresser and the spiritual economy of the Japanese Zen as
expressed through the English Craft Movement.
This pot is a combination of 6 elements :
1. The body is made out of 2 bowls joined rim to rim,
2. The handle is a turned ring of clay,
3. The base is a separate piece.
28 cm. (11")
It is importantly light in weight. The decoration is brushed under-glaze over a latex resist, the
glaze has a wax resist to reveal the matte surface underneath.
72
The decoration is purposefully
stylish in the choice of contrast,
either, black or white or color
having been applied using a
waxed feather dragged over
the surface. The combination
of spontaneity and over-layered
effects of texture in glaze color
and lustre in the case of the
colored teapot, pursues some
of the more complex, decorative
ideas in hand-made ceramics.
73
Whieldon-esque 1986
T
hrown and turned teapot with a Wheildon
glaze in light mauve, rich green and brown
and a manganese yellow. An exceptionally elegant, all-round shape.
Wheildon glazes emulated some of the surfaces and colors found in the natural world and
are particularly representative of a well-travelled nation and new discoveries in botanical
and evolutionary science.
16 cm. (6")
74
Whieldon-esque 1987
M
ade in three sections and decorated with sponged oxides
of manganese, copper and cobalt.
The knob is thrown onto the lid just after turning, the handle is
pulled which gives it a taper along its length and the spout is
formed around a tapered wooden former in the manner of Chinese
spouts.
“18th. Century potters seemed happy to take their shapes from
the European classical tradition and the Chinese, seeming to
find, not surprisingly, a similarity in the aspiration to perfect form.
The aesthetic in both traditions is hard and cold. English potters
seemed to be able to make these warm and personal. These potters, until Wedgewood, were tradesmen producing masterpieces
of humanity and gentility. This teapot reflects those aspirations.”
Roger Michell.
A supremely skilled piece of throwing, a soft
and flowing glaze abandoned on its surface.
17 cm. (6.5")
75
Enamel Resist thrown and turned teapot
1988
P
art of a tea service. An opaque, white tin glaze
covers a white earthenware body. It is decorated using a latex resist mask, the various enamels airbrushed on.
20 cm. (7.5")
“I always thought these looked very modern and
akin to the feel of some American painting of the
nineteen-sixties, Jules Olitzki and the like.” Roger
Michell
76
Creamware
R
eminiscent of 18th century creamware. Skillfully thrown and turned with delicate spouts and
handles. Beautifully sponge decorated with cobalt, copper and manganese oxides with a warm,
low soluble, lead glaze.
15 cm. (6")
77
Bristol China 1998
T
ransfers from a hospital art commission for a decorative tiled wall mural for the childrens’ hydrotherapy unit
at The Royal Hospital for Children in Bristol, were used on
white bone china, purchased from factory seconds shops
in Staffordshire. The coffee pot on the right was decorated
by Roger.
The newly-built hospital was opened by HRH The Prince of
Wales, who was presented with a teaset.
Drawings by Roger, poetry by Michael Hughes.
21 cms. (12”)
The sun shone darkly
through the night,
The wind rained up with all
its might,
And then we heard
An awful sight.
A certain mad old Mr.
Brown
Tried hard to throw his
daughters Down
Off Clifton Bridge
To make them
Drown.
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These little sisters,
Else and Ruby,
Felt down
Hearted
(Wouldn’t you be?)
But,
Little Browns!
Don’t be
Down
Cast.
An unexpected
Upward*
Blast
Began to blow.
It broke their
Down Fall from below.
They landed gently on
the grass,
Else on her feet,
Rube on her.
So everyone was very
Glad
Except (perhaps) for
their old
Dad.
*I know that this sounds
rather
Daught
But it really was a strong
up
Draught.
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Persian Blue Crackle Glaze Teapots 2005
T
hrown and turned porcelain teapots with elegant extruded handles. Beautifully decorated with a
sea-green glaze and dots of manganese dropped randomly over the surface.
15 - 20 cm. (6 - 8")
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The Kingsbury Teaset 2005
T
his teapot was part of a tea set commissioned in 2004. Thrown and
turned in porcelain and decorated with snorkelling dogs. Alot of fun.
16 cm. (6.5")
81
Crackle Glaze Teapot 2005
A
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loosely drawn figure painted directly onto the surface of a thrown and turned porcelain teapot.
15 cm. (6")
Select
DESIGNS
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Asparagus Dish 1978
C
ast earthenware, glazed and decorated
dish and cover.
Inspired by the design images of Eric Gill.
Two figures form the cover for a recessed dish
of asparagus shoots. Individually made and
decorated.
Approximately 20 made.
33 cm. (13") long
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One Dragon Jar and One Turtle Jar
1980
T
wo of a series of vases and jars featuring dragon or turtle
models made in highly decorated and glazed earthenware. They are based on a Mason’s Ironstone jar and give
some indication of the naivety of the English interpretation of
the original Chinese jars. The difference of color values and
decoration tended to be less subtle, more grand and exaggerated than the original items.
These models have been saved from the florid and ornate
sense of nineteenth century English taste values and illustrate
the large, decorative pots ability to project a sense of solidity
and innate modesty.
46 cm. (18")
above left : dragon model on a Masons Ironstone jar,. right : dragon on the Lustre dragon jar.
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Europa and the Bull 1984
A
very unusual gravy boat of a sad and toiling bull with a woman, languidly reclined on his back. She
is decorated wtih exotic patterns and colors. Around 30 made.
21 cm. (8.25")
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Plate with Fish Design 1995
A
medieval look to this plate with
strong, clear colors and delicate
patterns around a central image, unglazed it shows the rich colors to their
best advantage.
A truly aesthetic creation combining
the qualities of simplicity and texture,
skilful drawing and rich coloration.
Made in Lustre Pottery in Cornwall.
15 cm. (7")
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Lustre Pottery Cornwall 1986 - 1990
W
hen Lustre Pottery moved to Cornwall Roger developed some highly decorative forms and
these pots were made for an exhibition at the Juliet Gould Gallery in Mevagissy. They featuredsnorkeling dogs, leaping frogs and brightly colored dragonflies.
Sizes are various.
Thrown and turned sponged glazed jug 1988
O
n a finely thrown and turned surface the boldly sponged, unprocessed color pigments appear apparently careless, with their unpredictable
density of color response, pale and pastel colored
when applied. Strongly influenced by 18th Century
creamware which was often a charming combination of the folk sensibility and the classical aspiration to perfect form.
The handle, unlike the 18th century jugs, is pulled
like a contemporary craft pottery handle incorporating the whole balance of the English tradition.
20 cm. (9")
Roger MICHELL • LUSTRE Pottery • 2006