Topic: British Functionalist Ceramics

[M]

Hi,
Is there such a thing?
I'll post photos tomorrow, of something I personally consider to be the sole UK exemplar, from Wedgwood, but does anyone else have suggestions as to possible examples/patterns?
Regards,
M

[M]

Hi,
Here are links to the pattern I consider to be a rare example of British functionalist ceramics, a service designed by Eric Owen (1903-1974) in the 1930s. Wedgwood Greenwood earthenware
Owen was chief modeller at Wedgwood, but came up with this design for production in earthenware. The simple inset band is to allow the use of towel or oven-gloves to remove the hot casserole from the oven and minimises the risk of  the casserole slipping from ones hands. The pattern U1117, "Greenwood" was very popular, and remained in production until the 1970s. The products were up-dated in the 1970s to include decorated items, as the "Greenwood Aquarius" pattern U1122 http://www.tablewhere.co.uk/Patterns.aspx?mfrcode=WED&PtnCode=0232
but production of these appears to have lasted a relatively short time, if memory serves just two or three years.
So are there any other truly functionalist ceramics which were produced in the UK?
Regards,
Marcus

[Anne]

Ahhhh those are the ones you were describing to me on the phone last week Marcus...? I was trying to envisage what they looked like.  I don't recall ever seeing that design before, but it looks very sensible and practical.

[M]

Hi Anne,
Thanks. This is a design that has been largely forgotten, being both earthenware, and not meeting peoples expectations of Wedgwood as a bone china manufacturer. I love both U1117 and U1122, which if you stay with us or not, is our everyday use stuff. I find that the use of plain (ie oven to table Greenwood) with Aquarius as the plates, dishes etc is particularly harmonious. These are complimented by our cutlery, Gerald Benney's "Studio" for Viner.
If you have nice items, use them, they were created for use, not display cabinets.
Regards,
Marcus

[M]

If people are buying Studio, you MUST make sure that the word Studio (in block capitals) is stamped on the handles of all items other than knives.
It is an indicator of first series production, and not later re-issues. (Spot the snob, but Gerald Benney explained the differences in person).
Regards,
M

[Anne]

If you have nice items, use them, they were created for use, not display cabinets.
Regards,
Marcus

I agree entirely!

[David]

Ahhhh those are the ones you were describing to me on the phone last week Marcus...?

Funny... me too!   

[josordoni]

ALL RIGHT I give up.....

I have kept waiting for someone else to ask so I wouldn't feel a complete eejit.

but now it is all down to me...

what IS British Functionalist Ceramics???
 

[M]

Hi Lynne,
Arguably a type of design heavily influenced by the Deutsche Werkbund and the Bauhaus, "loosely" described as functionalism, where" form follows function", a basic design tenet of modernism. Usually surface decoration is absent, though colour may be present.
In the case of the Wedgwood set discussed, the form arguably is dictated by the function ie oven-to-tableware. That Owen realised there were inherent dangers removing items from the oven, he designed in the safety measure of the recessed band. The band is not decorative but functional.
Regards,
Marcus