retroselect.com

HOME

There are two types of 'African' ceramics from Europe in this era. The first are very sympathetic and well-crafted; the second are more politically incorrect and, occasionally, demeaning.

African styles were sometimes called 'tribal'. Kitsch wall masks (see this page, below), showing African women in profile, were common in the fifties, and usually impose Western ideas of 'beauty' onto the features. Seated, semi-naked figures playing drums are seen - even a figure playing a harp. Pieces by Edelstein (left) or Ravelli are exceptionally beautiful and sympathetic.

Modern (white) collectors sometimes shy away from any depiction of African people because they consider them to be politically incorrect. However, some of the biggest collectors of black memorabilia in the USA are Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg and Bill Cosby. I don't think that racism was in the minds of the original artists of European ceramics - at least I hope not. However, some do appear to be in very poor taste. A notorious example is the Carlton crested piece with a black baby in a bath, the bathwater turning black and the legend reading: 'I'se making ink'. Click here or more on racsim in Black Memorabilia.

Trade advert from the Pottery Gazette 1955 (Reference Book and Directory) Click for full-size image

Kitsch African ranges include Mambo by Wade (1957), later changing its name to Zamba. Royal Winton's calypso shows colourfully-dressed figures under palm trees. Ruscha of West Germany produced matt black wall plates with coloured enamel scenes, inclduing African figures, in the late fifties and early sixties. Royal Winton's Calypso depicts colourful Caribbean figures. Anzengruber (Austria) produced African figures with real accesories such as grass skirts, and these are now very collectable. They are rather close in style to Ravelli's African figures. Carlton Ware made an ashtray in the shape of a black boy. Animal prints (see below) are a common motif in African style.