Ex-Briglin Elizabeth Macphail at Grandes Roques, Guernsey - EA mark

This is a lovely small thing with a strangely cut spout.  Very distinctive colouring but I dont recognise it or the makers mark.  Any help appreciated thanks

I can't find a mark to match but they are well made.

Could it be the ex-Briglin potter Elizabeth Macphail at Grandes Roques, Guernsey? The only source I have for her is this youtube video by her brother. Marks visible at 5:31 and 6:14.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ4BxYiZJkE

How did you spot that. I have done a screen shot of the mark and it is (in my opinion) her work. Is there any more information about her out there?

Beautiful video by her brother.

I saw the video  a while ago, and precisely because there was absolutely nothing else about her online, it seemed worth making a note of the mark.

I have emailed a Briglin website and asked if they have any information on her - I'll post anything I find out.

Johners, saw the email but I typically have zero time during the day for pots.

Ahh, Liz, yes spoke with Nick her brother a few years back and he inherited her collection after she passed on. I have sent you his email. If you contact him I'm sure he would love to see the photos, and he is the best person to comment on her work.

Many of the items on the video are not typical pieces, they seem to me to be more special items that she kept for herself. So I have not seen the like in the wild, her pieces are not common. Are your pieces also supa thin walled? If so I'm surprised they survived

Marks, from Nicks youtube

EA - Elizabeth Ann (MacPhail)
LIZ

Yes they are wafer thin. I also have a third item which I think is a base to stand the bowl on.

And here is my little dish

She was clearly a talented potter.

I feel a dedicated thread is about to happen

...before I can say *Abrac.......*

Just had this wonderfully enlightening email from Liz's brother Nick…. really paints a picture of the story behind the pots.

"For your further information the pattern on the bowl and plate were made using shells from Port Soif bay which is just across the road from our house where the pottery was located. Liz used to like using natural objects for decoration.

Briglin was an incredible centre not just for pottery but for all the arts due in part to its links with the Goons (some of whom I understand were shareholders). I met them all there together with Herbert Lom (famed for his role in the Pink Panther. He was partner to Brigit Appleby – the Brig of Briglin) when I went to one of the frequent parties there to meet Liz with my friend Angus Boyd-Dudgeon. Angus was just getting known in the recording industry and went on to produce Elton John’s best recordings – he had simplified his name by then to Gus Dudgeon. The sixties were an amazingly innovative and productive time for the arts. By remarkable coincidence I went to the same junior school as Elton John in Pinner – he was then called Dwight and, shamefully, I bullied him. Elton took his stage surname “John” from a friend of Angus’ and mine; Long “John” Baldry. Weird times"

Could be EA for Elizabeth McPhail

So it is - just seen some more of her work online and it matches - thank you so much :)

Just wanted to know if someone can confirm, or not, the identity of potter.

Also could someone enlighten me as to what the swirl impressed mark denotes beneath EA signature...?

Yes, it looks right. Spelt Macphail rather than Mcphail, which is why you may have had trouble finding it. I've edited the title.

https://www.20thcenturyforum.com/t20679-ex-briglin-elizabeth-macphail-at-grandes-roques-guernsey

Miniature swan-boat

This little pot came into SueRyderHighcliffe this week. Also by Elizabeth Macphail I think.

Looks right

Saw this on in the FLICKR collection of someone called John Clark

I'm not a member and cant be bothered to sign up but if anyone knows him tell him this mystery piece is by Liz Macphail. One less mystery pot

https://www.flickr.com/photos/getcarter3/albums/72157627246758198/

It was the lid that caught my eye, the mark looks like either Elizabeth, I am favouring Macphail as I like Briglin

Yes Liz Macphail

There was a video on YouTube by her brother?

https://www.20thcenturyforum.com/t20679-ex-briglin-elizabeth-macphail-at-grandes-roques-guernsey-ea-mark?highlight=Elizabeth