Colourful Creations: Clarice Cliff and the Joy of Collecting

With her unmistakable style and vibrant use of colour, Clarice Cliff remains one of the most collectable ceramic artists of the 20th century. From her bold Bizarre line to lesser-seen forms and patterns, Cliff’s work continues to capture the imagination of collectors around the world.

Today, her pieces are found in major museum collections including the Victoria & Albert Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and she has long held a devoted following.

Clarice Cliff, Fantasque Bizarre, Summerhouse Stamford Shape Teapot, circa 1930. Estimate: £200-£300

A Trailblazing Talent

Born in 1899 in Staffordshire, Clarice Cliff was one of seven children in a working-class family. Like many girls of her time, she entered the local potteries at the age of 13. It was a practical path, but Cliff’s ambition and talent quickly set her apart.

After moving to the A.J. Wilkinson factory, she worked across departments, learning modelling, gilding and freehand painting. At a time when design roles for women were rare, Cliff’s persistence led to her being offered a place at the Royal College of Art in London, followed by a trip to Paris to study modern trends.

Upon returning, she was given her own studio and team. Together, they launched the Bizarre line of ceramics, hand-painted with the vivid patterns that would become her signature.

Clarice Cliff, Fantasque Bizarre, Blue Chintz Pattern, conical milk jug and two coffee cups. Estimate: £100-£150.

Bold Designs and Broad Appeal

Cliff’s rise in the 1920s and 30s was extraordinary. Her work drew from Art Deco, Cubism, and the geometric principles of De Stijl, resulting in energetic designs full of colour and movement. Whether decorating a teapot, plate, or vase, her patterns brought a modern aesthetic to the everyday home.

Her commercial success was also driven by savvy marketing. The company director Colley Shorter promoted her work through celebrity endorsements, live painting demonstrations, and a compelling personal story that appealed to the press, a working-class woman turned design star.

An Art Deco Clarice Cliff Blue Autumn Bizarre Plate, together with a small Bizarre dish in Orange Tree pattern, with another two small dishes. Estimate: £100-£150.

What to Collect

Clarice Cliff's ceramics remain both accessible and exciting to collect. Her wide-ranging output includes popular patterns such as:

• Summerhouse

• Blue Chintz

• Orange Tree

• Blue Autumn

• Gayday

• Rhodanthe

• Nasturtium

Her forms are equally varied, from the conical milk jug to the Stamford teapot and Biarritz serving dishes. Some collectors aim to acquire every shape in a particular pattern, while others focus on rarities or unusual combinations of pattern and form.

Clarice Cliff Nasturtium Pattern Beehive honey pot, circa 1930. Estimate: £100-£150.

What to Look For at Auction

Clarice Cliff’s ceramics regularly appear at auction, with prices ranging from modest to significant, depending on condition, rarity and pattern.

Top tips for collectors:

• Authenticity: Look for a clear Cliff signature or factory stamp on the base.

• Condition: Check for restoration, crazing or glaze damage, particularly on handles and rims.

• Unusual forms: Teapots, beehive honey pots and fern pots are often more sought after than plates or bowls.

• Limited patterns: Some ranges were only produced for a short time and are now highly desirable.

• Combinations: Pieces featuring rarer pattern-shape pairings often command a premium.

The market for Clarice Cliff remains lively, with new collectors joining the fold and previously unrecorded patterns still being identified. Her ceramics strike the perfect balance between decorative appeal and design history, and they remain a joyful and creative area for collecting.

An Art Deco Clarice Cliff Bizarre Gayday Pattern, Fern Pot, together with Biarritz range fruit serving dish in Rhodanthe design. Estimate: £80-£130.

Have a Clarice Cliff piece or Art Deco ceramics to value? Contact our Design department for a free and confidential valuation. Email design@chiswickauctions.co.uk or submit an Online Valuation today.