LOW-RELIEF BIRDS & ANIMALS
Sprig-moulded 'two-dimensional' animals and birds were made by several potters at different stages of Premier Pottery's history. For a discussion refer to Gregory Hill's article in the
'Gumnuts and Glazes' catalogue.
For
three-dimensional figures in the Early Series
click here.
Three-dimensional figures also appear on some one-off studio pieces made by potters at Premier;
click here.
Very early small koalas; un-numbered
Small koalas nestling at the base of jug handles. Found only on very early pieces, 1933-34, pre-dating Early Series numbering. Attributed to Margaret Kerr.
Tyabb Packing House, Tyabb, Vic.
Graham Lancaster Auctions
Height; 23 cm
Leonard Joel
Height; 17 cm. Shape subsequently numbered 192 in Early Series.
During the Early Series years Premier Pottery introduced another small numbering series for some special pieces, the Alphabet Series. Each number comprised a letter of the alphabet denoting the shape, followed by a digit denoting the type of applied decoration. Applied decoration was modelled by John Castle-Harris who was at Premier in 1935.
For more details of the Alphabet Series
click here.
Some examples;
Collection;
Shepparton Art Gallery 1977.09
Numbered C 4. Finches
Hurnall's Antiques & Decorative Arts
Numbered L5. Kookaburra.
Post-war figures
Animal decoration was characteristically a feature of 1930s Remued but there were post-war examples too. They are completely different, and it might be said, not up to the artistic standards of earlier pieces. They are rare, indeed it is not known if they ever went into commercial production. These few recorded examples are from sources associated with the principal potters at Premier.
Collection; Stuart Lawson
Un-numbered.
Height 24 cm.
Catherine Webb research collection
Allan & Myrtle James collection
Images; Catherine Webb research collection
Un-numbered, base incised Remued. Height; 11 cm
Nothing is known about this decorated goblet, but the glazes and unconfirmed anecdotal evidence suggest that they are post-war. The origin of the figure - a fisherman (or fisher-boy?) is unknown although it has been suggested it derives from a children's book illustration.
This is the only example recorded. The shape is otherwise unknown. Perhaps it is a
workman's piece?
Collection; John Daniels