Vase

Manufacturer George Clews & Co. Ltd. (Stoke-on-Trent, England, 1906 - 1961)

Datec. 1935

Object NameVase

Mediumearthenware

ClassificationsCeramics

DimensionsOverall: Height: 28 cm
Base: Diameter: 12 cm

AcquisitionRobinson-Young Collection, purchased in 1998 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions and with income from the John Black Trust and the Hamilton Bequest.

LocationOn Display - Gallery 12

Object numberABDMS030568

Keywords

Decorative

About MeHand-painted Chameleon Ware such as this was introduced in the early 1920s and remained in production up to c.1939. It includes a wide range of ornamental wares in Egyptian and Persian-inspired shapes that reflected popular interest in the archaeological discoveries of the 1920s. The shapes were slipcast and hand-painted in bold, abstract patterns with a characteristic restrained palette of predominantly greens, browns and blues below a matt or lustre glaze. Stylised flame and leaf motifs are a component of many patterns reflecting an overall Art Nouveau influence. Chameleon Ware was exhibited at the Philadelphia Exhibition in 1926, winning a gold medal. It was so popular that at one point it accounted for 80%of the factory’s production. Pattern numbers occur in the form xx/xxx. The two digit number refers to the pattern number (although no pattern books apparently survive) and the following three digit code to the background colour (Calvert, 1998).
The factory’s art wares were distributed through a London agent and by agents in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Production of art pottery ceased with the onset of the Second World War and was never resumed.
George Clews marks generally include the company name. On early marks a banner spans the globe, whilst post-Second World War, the name only, in script, is shown. Impressed ‘Chameleon Ware’ appears on early art ware, but was replaced by various printed marks.
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Clews was most well-known for his 'Chameleon Ware' items, which reached its height of success in the 1920s and 30s when the Egyptian and Persian themes were at their most popular culturally.

Exhibitions