Gus Mabelson

A small pot with a clear impressed mark which is familiar, but I cannot find it in the book. Any help with ID welcomed, thank you.

It looks almost black. If it is, it would very unusual for a British studio piece. I wonder if its German? They are fond of dark glazes on their Steins.

Thanks again for the feedback Phil.
Yes, it is very dark, with a few spots of slip decoration.
I love the fish and the odd dabs of slip here and there, but the dark glaze (as silken as it feels) is a little too much for my taste.

Thank you Naomi I was only just wondering if it might be by Grete Marks, suffice to say not.

Nice pot and a new name for me.

Thanks Ben

I first came across Gus Mabelson's salt glazed pots sometime in the 1980s before I became interested in studio pottery or probably knew what it was. I was dealing in "Antiques" and an associate that I knew at the time began stocking his work in his antique shop as it fitted in with the shop's "look".

The shop was near Kettering in the East Midlands and so I imagine that he might have been based in that area at the time.

I knew that he moved to Ireland after that and I just found this link, with an interview, that will tell you more.

https://www.talesofaredclayrambler.com/episodes/252-ireland-week-gus-mabelson-on-irelands-ceramic-skills-and-design-course

Thanks for the link studio very good of you.
I've found some other bits and bobs online, he's highly regarded and I guess that's no surprise with all he's done.
I think I must have originally purchased the pot because of the fish decoration. Suffice to say I am a bit of a sucker when it comes to anything with fish and frogs. Pity the glaze is so dark for me personally, but the other half loves it. I'm trying to do a swop with her for one of her goblets by Lloyd Jones, she gets the Gus M. plus the possible Batterham piece, good deal in my mind, but she's not biting, yet!!!