Kenneth Clark & Ann Wynn Reeves

Kenneth Clark, ceramicist, born 31 July 1922; died 10 June 2012

It is amazing how little of his work seems to be around, especially as I am in London and he was working here for the best part of 30 years up until 1980. You do see more work, epecially tiles, by his wife, Ann Wynn Reeves, though.

Such a shame as he was instumental in the development of a significant number of studio potters in the 1950s/1960s such as Gordon Baldwin, Alan Wallwork, Bernard Rooke and Eileen Nesbit to name just a few.

Yes, I've found it virtually impossible to find any examples of his work, much written word and tiles but not many pots or bowls. Any idea of date on this one?

Just a guess really but I would go for the early 1960s - certainly he was using those types of colours around that period.

kenneth Clark also wrote an influential book" the potters manual" in 1983 in it there is a wealth of pictures of him and other potters working and lots of pictures of pots including Lucie Rie, I went to the closing down sale at his Lewes studio but unfortunatley it was at the end and the interesting stuff had gone

The dealer I know thrust this upon me and said 'Buy it!" - I trusted him. So probably by Ann Wynn Reeves ? It's 10mm thick.  Back has no marks except a hanging hook. Colours similar to the round one on this thread - 1955? 1965? -

Thanks - Alex

If the tile's not signed then it's a difficult one because he loved to experiment so his style was very variable.

This is one I picked up last year, which he made late in life (1997) when he was copying William de Morgan's red lustre work. (Working in collaboration with Margery Clinton).
The tile blank is one he's bought off the shelf rather than made himself, (manufactured by H&E Smith).

(There was a second one on the dealer's stall which was like a rather washed out and over-fired flower tile by Minton).

22 Crawford St. wrote:The dealer I know thrust this upon me and said 'Buy it!" - I trusted him. So probably by Ann Wynn Reeves ? It's 10mm thick. Back has no marks except a hanging hook. Colours similar to the round one on this thread - 1955? 1965? -

Thanks - Alex

It is difficult to say if it is Kenneth Clark but it could be.

I don't think that it is by his wife (AWR), as all of her work that I have seen have been on commercial tile blanks.

I have a copy of his 1964 Studio Vista book "Practical Pottery & Ceramics", which does show that he made some tiles of his own and the colours of your piece would fit but I haven't seen anything like your piece to be definite either way.

...as if by magic....

the glazes don't look German to me

There is a hanger someone has stuck on and yes, small glue mark of removed label? 15mm x 15mm at 45 deg under hanger.

Kenneth Clark obituary - Kenneth Inman Carr Clark, ceramicist, born 31 July 1922; died 10 June 2012

(Including simple yellow flower tile)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2012/jul/18/kenneth-clark#

So probably by Ann Wynn Reeves ?

There are several Ann Wynn Reeves tiles on ebay at the moment, and all are on bought in blanks.

Dan, yes someone delete that post if needed the tile is not Schäffenacker - check out this link;


http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/multimedia/archive/00310/KCC011f_310927c.jpg


http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/obituaries/article3461096.ece

This collecting lark is fun when your research efforts work out! I've reposted my image rotated 90 degrees and the pattern of geometric ridges and shapes is the same is it not? Pity you can't read the full article without subscribing The dealer I got this from did say it was by Kenneth, looks like he was right.

I've had this green kicking about for a while and all I know is that it is definitely not Wallwork. When searching for the other tile I came across this page with an orange tile attributed to Kenneth Clark.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robmcrorie/7480630224/

Can you upload a photo of the reverse - I believe he bought blanks. Is there a tile manufacturer's name on the back?

Naomi it's a standsrd HR Jhonson, it's not pretty as it's been 'glued'. H&R JOHSON LTD (TOP) W7 68 (LEFT) 1 P4 (RIGHT) MADE IN ENGLAND (BOTTOM) - There is a pencil mark 'ST4' which probably means nothing.

This other link puts the date at 1970. It does resemble the right hand tile. It's worth recording as it might help someone else in the future.I wonder if my number 68 means 1968? longshot?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robmcrorie/7427255398/

All there was one in the AWR Mallams sale last time. 100% KC

The picture (top left) is from an exhibition in Copenhagen mid 60's, sponsored by the 'design council'. The pots are by Alan Wallwork, but the tiles  on the wall look similar to the one you have. Ken Clarke and Ann Wynn Reeves work both featured in these exhibitions that were held around Europe during the 1960's. So you tile could be from this period.http://www.alanwallwork.info/blackheathgallery6.html
                                                                                                      Best Regards
                                                                                                                         Joe

Kenneth Clark tile

Tile designed by Ann Wynn Reeves
On a H&R Johnson blank

Reference blog

http://www.retropolitan.co.uk/blog/?p=654

Nice finds N. I've not seen the B/W tree one before.

(That blog ref. The page title image of the AW white/green round tile is 'borrowed' from my site, the tile is at home     )

I think no one minds as long as they give you a reference and don't try to pass off as their own.