Rosemary and Denise Wren, Oxshott

Almost forgotten now,but Denise Wren surely must have a strong claim to be one of the earliest of 20th century Studio Potters. She set up a Pottery in Oxshott(now a VERY wealthy commuter village trendy with footballer mansions) in the early 20's,potting there-later with her daughter Rosemary- until 1978. Gave summer pottery classes 1922-50,wrote a pottery book. Has been more famous in the past and she is well represnted in the V&A collection. There was also a large memorial exhition at the Craft Centre in Bath(now at Farnham). She deserves to be better known.
         Mainly chunky earthenware in the early years,developing salt glazing in the 60's with her daughter Rosemary. This one reminds me of Reginald Wells.



         

Denise Wren's mark has varied over the years.She did pot for nearly 70 years tho! It generally always consists of OXSHOTT with a variation of her name or initials. Most combinations are illustrated in Yates-Owen.
OXSHOTT with a picture of a Wren,is her daughter's Rosemary Wren's mark.
This mark is taken from a Salt glazed 50's/60's piece.

For an interesting selection of Densie and Rosemary Wren's work,follow this link to Mallam's of Oxford sale earlier this year. Nos 133 and 141 to 152. They elephant figure of Denise Wren's is exceptionally rare. The sale also contained the Kenneth Clarke Estate sale.
http://www.catalogue-host.co.uk/mallams/oxford/2013-05-22/category_2_page_1

Rosemary Wren flared vase

A rather cute Rosemary Wren Fox from York City Art Gallery

A link via museumcrush to an article On Oxshott pottery and Denise Wren from the staff at Kingston Museum. Very informative piece with invaluable information and photos.
https://museumcrush.org/inside-the-archive-of-pioneering-studio-potter-and-designer-denise-wren/

Denise Wren salt glaze period was late 1950's through the 1960's. A vase from that period.

A historically interesting mug in that it is made and signed by Henry Wren. Denise's husband and Rosemary's father. I don't think I have ever come across another.

A rare Denise Wren Elephant from the Bill Ismay collection at COCA. June 2023. She made these towards the end of her career (she died in 1979) and were highly prized by Collectors at the time, as she did not make many of them. These are about the only figurative work, They are an interesting contrast to her daughter Rosemary's figurative pieces which were the major part of Rosemary's career.