This is a highly collectable little porcelain Art Pottery vase made by the ceramic artist, Mary Rich (1940 - 2022). It is probably a more specialist item for the collector of contemporary British studio pottery.
The little vase is typical of her work and has a painstakingly applied white porcelain body which is decorated all over with a most intricate gilt geometric pattern. It is certainly finely decorated all over and I have taken lots of images for your inspection. This vase is bulbous in shape with a tall slender neck that flares out at the rim. The neck is pale blue-grey and gold. The main body section is painstakingly decorated with a geometric pattern. Towards the base there are rings of blue, dusty pink and gold. Just lovely!
It is an impressed maker's mark "M" on the side near the base.
Dimensions: The height of the vase is 7 1/4 inches (18.5 cm). The width at the widest point is 2 3/4 inches (7 cm). The rim has a diameter of 1 3/8 inches (3.5 cm).
It is in very good condition with no chips or cracks. The gilding is all present.
HISTORY: Mary was one of Britain's best known potters. She studied ceramics at Bournemouth College of Art until 1961, and this was followed by a period working with David Leach.
In 1962 she opened her first studio in Falmouth where she made salt glaze ceramics. It wasn't until the 1980s, with the advent of more efficient kilns, that Mary switched to making solely porcelain pieces.
She was a Fellow of the Craft Potters Association, a member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen and a member of the Cornwall Crafts Association.
Her pots are hand-thrown in porcelain. Most of them have several layers of colour applied to the raw clay to achieve exactly the right base for her final decorations, added after the glaze firing. The characteristic geometric designs are applied with liquid bright gold and other lustres, using fine brushes.
Each piece takes many hours to produce and the final results glow with muted golds, greens and blues. My price is a fair one and reflects the time, skill and artistry involved in many these unique pots.
This one will have to be sent to you with Royal Mail Special Next Day Delivery for that it is insured against loss or damage in transit. This will be applied to your at the checkout.