Reginald John "Rex" Whistler (1905–1944) for Wedgwood

Reginald John "Rex" Whistler (1905–1944) for Wedgwood
A small "Clovelly" pattern sugar bowl
"Queensware" (creamware) pottery
Transfer printed in underglaze black
Stoke-on-Trent, England
Circa 1936

Measures:-
10 cm (diameter) x 5.6 cm (high)

A Wedgwood "Queensware" (creamware) sugar bowl with fluted sides, raised foot and a flared lip. In Rex Whistler's "Clovelly" pattern with a central scene of Clovelly harbour and floral vignettes, with trophies of capstans and cannons and lobster pots and oars to the outside. Printed marks to the base "Rex Whistler / Design / Wedgwood / Made in England" and "P", "H" and "L". Also with impressed "WEDGWOOD" mark. 

The "Clovelly" pattern was first designed by Rex Whistler in 1932 for use as a toile de jouy fabric. It was commissioned by Christine Hamlyn Fane (1855-1936) the benefactor and owner of the Clovelly Estate, who was responsible for the preservation and upkeep of the historic and picturesque Devon fishing village. Christine Hamlyn (known to Rex Whistler as "Aunt Christine") also sat for a portrait by the artist at her home, Clovelly Court. Shortly after the toile de jouy fabric went into production the design was adapted by Wedgwood for use in a range of ceramic teawares. 

Wedgwood's "Clovelly" pattern comes in five colourways: Black (as here); Blue; Red; Green and Sepia. In the earliest productions it is usually encountered in creamware ("Queensware") though, occasionally, bone china pieces can be found. In the later, post-war, issues it is generally found in stoneware.

Literature:-
For a description of the "Clovelly" toile de jouy project see pp.97-99, Hugh Cecil and Mirabel Cecil, "In Search of Rex Whistler: His Life and His Work", London, Frances Lincoln Limited, 2012.