Topic: Studio Pot

[robbo]

Anybody any ideas about this pot?
Marked M W and another symbol (almost like a roman numeral III, but with the base serifs all joined together as one line)

Many thanks

[Pete]

Marianne Westmann or Maggie Wibom (Swedish)?

[Martyn]

I've got to say that I think this is an amatuer potters piece...the glaze, potting and mark are not somthing I would associate with an experienced practicing studio potter or pottery. It does have charm, and we do collect amatuer or 'homemade' pieces as we call them for that reason, but I would be surprised if this was made by a professional potter.

JMHO,

M.

[robbo]

Thanks for your responses everybody.

I seem to be acquiring a box of "home studio" pieces! 

[Martyn]

LOL..

When you consider the tens of thousands (millions?) of people who've tried out making pots at sometime at schools, colleges, adult ed' classes, etc... in Britain alone in the last century, it's hardly a surprise that some turn out quite well, and I honestly do like this one. I know I'm always picking pieces off tables at boot sales and the like, studying them closely and thinking to myself '...thats interesting...' only to have the seller say ..'Oh, my mum made that'...

The number of 'homemades' must out number those by 'professional' studio potters at least 10 to 1, and probably only 10% of those who have potted professionally are documented to any extent at all, so be prepared for that box to grow. or find an alternative use for them...toothbrush holder...

[robbo]

Thanks Martyn - I've quite a few more to post......
Hopefully as I learn more my good pot "hit rate" will improve. If every pot was easily attributable or had "professional" stamped on the bottom, life would be easy but very boring?and this board wouldn't exist!

Everybody has to bear with me because really I'm a "glassie"....

I'm reminded of the episode of "The Good Life" where Gerry bought Margo a potter's wheel 

[MarkHill]

I quite agree with Martyn's comments. I spend hours flitting around charity shops and was delighted to find an array of fantastic studio pots in my local two weeks ago. And they really were rather good - a nice mastery of form and some very interesting (on one or two - complex) glazes. Turning them over revealed that they were all inscribed 'Doreen' - possibly some local deceased lady, unless I have forgotten something!
As regards value, they were in great condition, may have had some age, and are probably quite rare - but as for desirability, it'd be really rather low - certainly as compared to major names like Rie, Coper, Cardew, de Trey or even Troika. So I guess the ?10-20 prices were quite right. Still, I added what I considered the best to my collection, and also use it for carefully placed knick-knacks.
Who cares who Doreen was, it's a cool thing and she had some talent!
Mark
www.markhillpublishing.com

[Martyn]

That would put you around Streatham then Mark...

[MarkHill]

hahaha, yeah, not far from there - so you saw them too?!

[Martyn]

A friend tipped me off that there was a large collection of studio pottery there so I did a special trip to see what it was......I thought some were really nice (though you likely got the best before I saw it) but it was a perfect illustration of the range from complete beginner to competant potter all in one shop, and if you took the best of them I think you'd be hard pressed to say if they'd been made by an experienced proffesional or just plain ol' Doreen.