The
pieces pictured above take on a number of characteristics which may help
you to identify fakes and I will discuss each one in turn
(from top left to right):
-
The 'Secrets' pattern
plate (cc1.jpg)
appears
to have been deliberately constructed in order to look like the real thing.
It is actually a real Clarice Cliff plate with a genuine backstamp,
but from a much later date than the pattern painted onto the front. The
'Secrets' pattern is a 1930s pattern which should carry the 'Bizarre' backstamp;
this plate dates from the late 1930s or 1940s (the style of the plate and
backstamp (cc2.jpg)
indicates
this). The pattern on the front has, obviously, been painted onto a blank
plate in order to establish this deception.
-
The shallow bowl or
ashtray (cc12.jpg)
painted
in a 'Solomon's Seal' style pattern is an outright fabrication ! The pattern
is close to the real thing, but to the experienced eye it looks very wrong.
Also, the shape of this piece is not a recognised shape from Clarice's
factory and also the backstamp (cc13.jpg)
is simply a copy and not the real thing.
-
The
'Idyll' pattern plate (cc17.jpg),
and the 'Autumn' pattern plate (cc19.jpg)
are a similar deception to the 'Secrets' plate as they are both genuine,
later, CC plates with an original backstamp (cc18.jpg)
and a 'painted-on' earlier pattern on the front.
-
The
gravy boat (cc6.jpg)
and sabot (cc7.jpg)
are very poor attempts at copying CC pieces and both actually look like
they may be pieces of 'Tourist' style pottery which can be purchased in
a number of European countries. They have both had CC backstamps (cc3.jpg),
(cc4.jpg),
(cc11.jpg)
applied in a gold ink. Whilst gold stamps on CC pieces are known, they
are not too common and most certainly not on rubbish like this ! The overall
style of these items is wrong, with incorrect shapes and wrong glaze colour.
The
conical sugar sifter (fake_sifter1.jpg)(fake_sifter2.jpg)
in the 'Red Roofs' pattern is a slightly different ball game. Whilst it
looks totally incorrect to the trained eye, it could pass as the real thing
to a novice. Many fake sifters are known to be circulating, some of which
are very good copies and some which are extremely poor. Take a look at
the real 'Red Roofs' sifter (red_roofs.jpg)
and make a comparison yourself. The main points to watch out for with sifters
are:
-
Check
the weight of the piece. Fakes often feel far too heavy or too light.
-
Check
the quality of the paintwork. Fakes are often poorly painted or badly banded.
-
Check
the vent holes on the tip and the refill hole in the base; fakers usually
get the sizes of these holes badly wrong !
-
Check
the colour of the glaze. Most CC sifters from this era have a 'Honey' type
glaze, not a white one.
-
Be
wary of the price. A real 'Red Roofs' sifter is worth between 1,200 and
1,800 UK Pounds in the current market, depending on condition.
Whilst
there are a number of genuine reproduction CC pieces around (mainly by
Wedgwood),
these are all clearly marked as such and should not be confused with inferior
quality fakes.
It
is also worth remembering that some people do paint items in the style
of Clarice Cliff and some of the items above may originally have been painted
as such by an art student or enthusiast, but have now found their way onto
the resale market as 'The real thing' ! Beware.
As
stated above, most experienced CC collectors have handled many hundreds,
if not thousands, of CC pieces over the years and are a very useful source
of information. Devoted 'Cliffies' can usually spot a genuine piece at
200 paces in a crowded room whilst wearing dark glasses !
Please
REMEMBER
if
you are in any doubt about the quality or authenticity of any CC item you
can always consult our on-line 'Clarice
Doctor' advice and valuations service (include a picture if possible)
and we will be happy to advise you.
Many
thanks to everyone who has helped in the production of this article or
allowed us to use their photos; you know who you are !
Andrew
Hutton
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