Small
is definitely beautiful - and expensive!
Salesman
Sample vases ~ Feature.
| During
the early part of the 1930s, Clarice Cliff's Salesman traveled the length
and breadth of the United Kingdom in their pursuit of new customers and
improved sales. As the 1930s was a time of great hardship for much of British
Industry (known as the 'Depression' years), this was a difficult and extremely
challenging job.
One
of the main tools available to the Salesman was the miniature sample. These
were from the shape 177 series of vases and were meticulously
hand-painted with Clarice's famous Bizarre and Fantasque patterns.
They
were often painted to sample quality (a very high standard) and given to
the travelling sales team to show to Retailers, buyers and other customers.
Sometimes produced before full production of a particular range in order
to gauge customer reaction. |
An
Appliqué Lucerne
Miniature
vase
sold
at auction in the UK
for
£2,100 in Sept. 2003
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Salesman sample vases painted (left to right) in the Blue-Eyed Marigolds,
Comets, Blue 'W', Rudyard & Original Bizarre patterns. |
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| Because
these vases are only about 3 Inches (7.5cm) high, they were ideal
for each Salesman to carry around in a small suitcase or bag and enabled
them to demonstrate a number of patterns to their customers. |
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Salesman
sample vases painted (left to right) in the Broth, Orange Picasso Flower,
Sunray, Crocus, Double V and Lily patterns >>>>
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| From
what we know, it appears that many of these vases were either given away
or sold to customers once they were no longer useful to the Salesman. Some
may also have been given to customers as a kind of 'sweetener' to persuade
them to make a bigger purchase.
It
is also known that some of these vases were used as 'fillers' and included
to bulk-out large orders or shipments. |
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<<<<
Salesman sample vases painted (left to right) in the Beach Ball , Original
Bizarre, Original Bizarre, Autumn, Inspiration Rose and Melon patterns. |
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| Most
of these vases do carry a full Bizarre, Fantasque, Appliqué or similar
Backstamp,
which is either stamped or hand-painted onto the base. Some unmarked examples
are known.
It
was important for these pieces to reflect the finished product which the
customers would receive, so they are usually accurate in every detail. |
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Salesman
sample vases painted (left to right) in the Delecia, Floreat, Sliced Fruit,
Rudyard, Appliqué
Palermo
and Original Bizarre patterns >>>>
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| As
these vases were produced in relatively small quantities, they are a rare
and desirable piece for today's Clarice Cliff collector. They don't often
appear at auction, but when they do are quickly snapped up by keen collectors
or dealers. For anyone wanting to build a 'Mini' Clarice portfolio, with
pieces such as these vases and the miniature Advertising
Plaques, they really are a must-have item!
On
the other hand, it is also just still possible to buy one of these from
an auction where the auctioneer does not realise what they are, and simply
catalogues the item as a 'Small Clarice Cliff vase'. If you are lucky,
the other buyers won't realise either and you may be able to buy one for
a very good price. I did just that recently when I was able to buy a pair
of miniature vases in 'Pastel Melon' from an auction for less than £400!
In
general, they sell for anything between £600 and £1,000 each,
with some of the rarer patterns realising significantly higher prices.
The Appliqué Lucerne example, pictured at the top
of this page, recently sold for £2,100 (plus commission) at
UK Auctioneers Woolley
& Wallis in Salisbury.
On
balance, they are an expensive way to collect Clarice Cliff pottery
when you compare the amount of actual vase you get for your money, but
an extremely cool and increasingly desirable way to do it...... |
Many
thanks to Michael Jeffery from Woolley & Wallis
for
supplying the Appliqué Lucerne photograph. |
Andrew
Hutton
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