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Poole pages

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Please email me if you know the dates of the following items!

Delphis (c. 1963-1980s)

Some people think that delphis is one of the most cosmically awful ranges of ceramics ever produced in England, with its crude, gaudy decoration looking like fluorescent vomit. Other people absolutely love it, with its bright, cheerful colours that so epitomise the hallucinogenic styles of the late sixties and early seventies. According to the book by Casey (2001, pp. 330-5; see books), the word delphis comes from the Greek for 'Dolphin' (the Poole Pottery logo). Casey writes that delphis was launched in 1963 and originally carried a POOLE STUDIO backstamp. The pieces below do not, and therefore date from 1966 onwards. The number of glaze colours was limited to reds oranges yellows and greens in 1971. Delphis was discontinued some time around 1980. Delphis should not be confused with the valuable Atlantis studio range, or the dull Aegean range (both from Poole).

Vase, c. 1966-1971
Perfect condition, appears unused. There is crazing on the blue glaze only, and a couple of white spots where the orange glaze has missed. The date given is estimated from the presence of blue colour, and the backstamp. Initials are either SL or 75. Also has the stamped number 15. Value: £15-35

Atlantis (c. 1969-1977)

Atlantis was a hand made range of vases and fancies inspired by the textures of coastal rock formations and the seaweed and sea urchins of the beach. Pieces were hand thrown and hand carved to give interesting surface textures.

Guy Sydenham hedgehog
This fabulous little animal has the spines in carved recesses (see detail, below left). The carving is highlighted with white, green and black glaze. Impressed POOLE ENGLAND and with Sydenham's GS monogram. Guy Sydenham (1916-2005) joined CSA (Poole's forerunner) in 1931 and later collaborated with Alfred Read on the freeforms in the mid 1950s. He became Senior designer in 1966. He resigned in 1977 to become consultant at Purbeck Pottery. Value: £150-200

Dorset Collection (1979)

This collection was designed by Elaine Williamson, Ros Sommerfelt, Carolyn Walters and other paintresses. Thanks to Sundrops for this info.

Green planter
Pristine condition. Painter marks: JM (Possibly Jacqueline Mackenzie, used 1972-77); and ABM. Number 497. With 1966-80 backstamp. Value: £15-25

Animals in blue and black

Late 60's to present. The dolphins (not shown), in various sizes, and seal (below) are very common. These blue figures should not be confused with the more valuable stoneware animals, also from Poole, by Barbara Linley Adams. Eastgate/Withernsea made a dolphin, rearing up, in a Poole-like blue-black colourway, and Guernsey Pottery made animal figures in this same colourway. Trentham Art Ware made a green rearing dolphin.

Seal
By Tony Morris, 1976-96. Very common. Mint condition. Value: £2-10

Penguin
By Tony Morris, 1975-80. Mint condition. Value: £10-30

Seagull
Less common than the seal and dolphins. Pristine condition. Value: £15-45

Miscellaneous

Hors-d'œuvre dish.
With the KUA pattern by Truda Carter (Truda Adams). Her related KUB pattern depicts vegetables. These Hors-d'œuvre dishes are pretty common and not highly collected. They also come in rectangular shapes. This was a bad purchase; I paid far too much for it (£50) in my early days as a collector. They are pretty common and not too popular with collectors right now. This one does have the advantage of being in unused condition, however. Value: £7.50 - 15

Hors-d'œuvre dish.
As above, but with a slightly lilac body tinge. This piece is in mint condition, and was a gift from Sue, who found it 'cheap as chips' in a shop in London. Value: £7.50 - 15

Poole pages

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