ABSTRACT DESIGNS

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Following the art world in its journey into cubism and abstraction, the Torquay Potteries produced a number of abstract designs.  In addition, they produced variations on the luster ware that was being concurrently produced by many English Potteries including Ruskin, Cowen and Moorcroft.

Among the abstract designs included several different geometric variations.  Three of the most common are as follows:

(click on the thumbnails for a larger image)

The first was the "Jazz" pattern on a blue ground introduced by Watcombe.

 

 jazz.JPG (18013 bytes)
Variations of the jazz pattern were produced by Lemon & Crute and Hele Cross.

JazzHele.jpg (29204 bytes)
The second, sometimes called the "mosaic" or "cubist" pattern, was produced by Royal Torquay. 

Mosaic1.jpg (29957 bytes)
The third geometric designs introduced Egyptian themes and resulted in several geometric designs which were based on Egyptian patterns (see Egyptian Land/Seascapes mentioned previously).

 

 Egyptian Abstracts.jpg (76945 bytes)
In addition to the true "geometric" designs there were a number of abstract designs that were clearly Art Deco.  Barton and Daison both produced a similar "deco" design.

deco1.jpg (20012 bytes)
Royal Torquay and Watcombe also made pieces of an abstract design that look as though they are totally covered with splashed paint.

 

Dripabstract2.jpg (20977 bytes)

Dripabstract1.jpg (36899 bytes) 
 

For other examples not discussed here, refer to the TPCS Magazine January, 1990, page 13, where there is an excellent color illustration showing some more examples of these abstract styles

 

In addition to abstract designs, Watcombe produced plain colored pottery.  With good examples you can see an iridescence or luster to the glazes.  These sometimes have mottos and are found in three colors, green, blue and amber and referred to as Art "Green Ware", "Blue Ware" and "Amber Ware" respectively.

greenware.jpg (42469 bytes) 

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