How Clarice Cliff broke the mould

Imagine stumbling across a vase that instantly lifts a room. Bold colours, sweeping curves, and patterns that still feel fresh nearly a century on. That’s the magic of Clarice Cliff. It’s full of joy, creativity and colour, and it has a story that’s as fascinating as the pieces themselves.

Clarice Cliff’s legacy, a century in the making

Born in 1899 in Tunstall, Staffordshire, Clarice Cliff left school at 13 to work in local potteries. She started out painting gold lines on cups, but her eye for design soon took her further. By her twenties, she was studying at the Royal College of Art and travelling to Paris to soak up the bright, bold styles of the day: Cubism, Fauvism and the early stirrings of Art Deco.

She returned to Stoke-on-Trent with ideas that broke the mould. Instead of dainty florals and fussy forms, she created patterns that were geometric, abstract and bursting with colour. Her first line, Bizarre ware, launched in 1927. It was a hit. By the early 1930s, she had a team of female decorators known as the ‘Bizarre Girls’ and her pottery was being sold in department stores across Britain.

This year marks the centenary of Art Deco, and Clarice Cliff is right back in the spotlight. In spring 2025, auction houses and galleries across the UK celebrated the era with sales and exhibitions. One of the biggest was Woolley & Wallis’s Art Deco Centenary Sale, which featured dozens of Clarice Cliff pieces and saw strong prices across the board. Meanwhile, a new stage play, Clarice Cliff: Sunshine on a Plate, opened in Brighton and Cranleigh, telling her story to a whole new audience.

How to spot genuine Clarice Cliff

If you’re thinking of buying a piece of Clarice Cliff pottery, there are a few things to look out for. Most pieces are stamped on the base with ‘Bizarre by Clarice Cliff’, along with the name of the factory (either Wilkinson or Newport Pottery). You may also see a hand-painted pattern name or a shape number. The best examples have clean, confident brushwork and bright, unfaded colours.

Look closely at the condition. Small signs of age and light scratches are acceptable, but chips, cracks or heavy restoration will knock down the value considerably. If you’re collecting, it’s worth focusing on well-kept examples, ideally with their original backstamps and no major repairs.

Patterns that collectors love

Some of the most famous Clarice Cliff designs include Crocus, Autumn, Red Roofs, Isis, and My Garden. These patterns often appear on vases, teapots and dinnerware, and they’re still among the most collectible today. Prices vary depending on rarity and condition, but a good example of a popular pattern could fetch anywhere from £300 to £3,000.

Less common designs like Monsoon, Windbells, and Caprice are highly sought after and tend to sell well at auction. Rarer shapes and unusual forms such as wall plaques or novelty jugs also attract serious interest.

Is Clarice Cliff pottery hand-signed?

Yes, some pieces were hand-signed, particularly early works. Look out for painted signatures, initials or factory backstamps on the base. 

What makes Clarice Cliff pottery so valuable?

Just as you would expect, the most valuable Clarice Cliff pottery tends to be early, rare, and in excellent condition. One-off pieces, prototypes, and limited editions are especially desirable. Even smaller items, like sugar bowls and preserve pots, can be worth good money if they’re part of a rare pattern or in pristine condition.

But what truly sets Clarice Cliff apart is the boldness of her vision. At a time when British ceramics were dominated by delicate florals and predictable patterns, she introduced wild colours, geometric shapes and surreal landscapes. Her designs were modern, joyful and defiantly original - unlike anything else on the market. That sense of playfulness and optimism, especially in the face of the Great Depression, struck a chord then and still does now.

Each piece is both decorative and daring, and that’s why we love it. That rare combination of artistic integrity, cultural significance and visual appeal is what makes Clarice Cliff’s work so enduring - and so valuable.

Is Clarice Cliff an investment piece?

If you’re looking for an investment, Clarice Cliff pottery is a smart place to start. Prices have stayed strong over the last decade and interest has risen again in 2025 thanks to the Art Deco centenary. Look for original examples in known patterns, especially full sets or service pieces. These tend to hold their value best.

Where to find Clarice Cliff for sale

At PM Antiques & Collectables, we stock a carefully curated selection of Clarice Cliff pottery for sale, including original vases, bowls and decorative pieces in a range of patterns and styles. Every piece we sell is checked for quality, authenticity and condition.

If you’re new to collecting, we’re happy to offer advice. And if you’re after a particular pattern or shape, we can help you track it down. Just get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

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