Celtic pottery (Newlyn & Mousehole)

dantheman wrote:Bill left before Newlyn?

Yeh, I know. Just saying - a bigger vase was produced at Newlyn.
But I agree, it the biggest I've seen which can be attributed to Bill.

probably the biggest vase he ever made then ....but never say never

many thanks to oscarbaby1uk for donating the pics

I bought this last week

Agreed, Jilly that's a really nice Bull. Several of the earlier ones seem to be this much darker 'solid' yellow.

Dan - I remember that jug, but can't remember whether you outbid me, or if there was a reason I didn't bid on it - maybe that was one of those items I just forgot about until it was too late - which seems to happen too often these days Always nice to have a signed piece

I was the only bidder in the end so I got it for a snip,plus the chip turned out to be a small bubble in the pewter glaze so no damage whatsoever!!

it looks great displayed with 2 other 'Fisher' jugs

Very nice.....especially the unusual pattern Bull to the back..and two Blue Horses wow!

Large Celtic lampbase just bought for a few pounds - in mat black and brown with high gloss deep blue and light blue 'Medallion' pattern - original fittings and label attached - c 1970s by the looks of it - with an H or perhaps an A inscribed to base

Thanks Adam

I just got news of the upcoming Bill fisher website which has the input of Bill and one of his co-workers in the early 70's

I will keep you updated

So did I.
This is some of the best news I've heard in a long time.
Perhaps some of the many questions may finally get answered

I can't wait

Just to let people know
Bill will be 96 this week.
Unfortunately he is now very frail with very poor eye sight and has little if any memory about his pottery. This is a real shame to hear, but I suppose it comes to us all sooner or later.

let's hope he has passed lots of information on to those close to him

flying free wrote:Unicorn in terracotta - is there some question over this being a Bill Fisher piece now? Unicorn 12 3/4" tall, total piece 17 3/4" tall.
Can't find a sig at the mo and no label. Bought in a shop in Cornwall in the 60's or 70's according to the owner who bought it.
Enjoy.
m

I asked a friend of Bill about these unicorn sculptures and he did make them,I also asked Maggi and she confirmed that she and Bill made many of them during their time at Mousehole

Dan,you are very generous! and I am very grateful. Thank you so much and thank you also to Bill's friend who has passed on the information. I am so pleased to have the origin confirmed. Mine was bought from the family who directly purchased it originally in Cornwall but they couldn't remember who'd made it. It now has it's own special display place in our house. I am thrilled to have it.
thanks again
m

Hi and hello to all,
I've only just come across this forum and so glad I have,what a wealth of information, pictures and knowledge.
Also great news about the up and coming website.....its like waiting for Christmas.
I bought my first piece of Celtic back in '95,my first piece of Troika back in'75 in a gift shop in Lands End.........
I thought Celtic was wound up in the late 70's, but have read that Troika went on to a three day week in 1980 when Illsley and Sirota ended thier partnership.The pottery went on untill 1983 with three members of staff and then one,Julian Greenwood-Penny was offered a position with the Celtic Pottery in Newlyn.....
Just another name that may hold vital information on Celtic Pottery history and product lines before its all too late.

I think Julian lives in Penzance TR18, I'll try to contact him

Yeh, I'll have to get some photos sorted.............

Thanks Dan, I can see your on the case.....regards

I am aware of Louise Jinks contact details but I think she left Troika in 1981 well before it closed......

I also sent an email to Simon Leaper as Bill Fisher was a friend of Eric,Bill even designed some of the Leaper pieces

I just spoke to Simon then Julian who put me in touch with Maggi who will be joining us here on the forum

several of the Troika artists moved on to work at Celtic pottery including Ian Box, Leslie Illsley,Peter Ellery and Benny Sirota

flying free wrote:Unicorn in terracotta - is there some question over this being a Bill Fisher piece now? Unicorn 12 3/4" tall, total piece 17 3/4" tall.
Can't find a sig at the mo and no label. Bought in a shop in Cornwall in the 60's or 70's according to the owner who bought it.
Enjoy.
m

Bill and Maggie made lots of these at the Mousehole pottery,the horns were designed to unscrew so they didn't break off when being shipped

this one is owned by a lady who worked with Bill and Maggi at their Mousehole pottery

Fascinating - it's lovely to see another to add to the two we already know about. And it's quite different to mine. The horn on mine doesn't unscrew, it slots in btw.
m

dantheman wrote:I just spoke to Simon then Julian who put me in touch with Maggi who will be joining us here on the forum

That is fantastic new It's amazing how were go years with little 'real' knowledge, then all of a sudden a landslide of info starts.

I just want to know where all the other unicorns/horses are hiding - although I can understand why people are holding onto them.
There is also a 4th of a full horse (at least no horn), which is absolutely stunning - I'm guessing Dan has also seen the pic. We'll have to get permission to post it.