Rancich shape 25, EJ Lewis decorator 1942

I posted this on a couple facebook pages but I'm bringing it back home. Word for word from New Zealand Commercial and Studio Pottery:

Ev Williams has been looking into this vase that I bought from Cowboy Junkies in Whangarei.

It looks like it could be from Glen Afton or Wally Silva but the impressed number 25 does not match known work from either pottery.

It is definitely hand thrown.

The decorator EJ Lewis has not yet been identified on any other work.

The base has the decorator's initials, a year 1942, and a wee flower. Other marks are indistinct or uninterpreted.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Jeremy is this vase in your possession or is Ev still puzzling over it? I have a vase number 35 with that same distinctive deep groove around the base  (on the top). I will bring it to our lunch to compare if that helps.

- I gotta go and have not yet found a pic of mine, but the base of mine is very similar to the first photo on this post by Oakpot.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

It looks very familiar:

The base has a similar groove and the spiral fingermarks are just in the lower portin
on of the vase.

I didn't think I'd bought much lately but I'm going to need two boxes for Thursday.

Posting my findings that I put on Facebook, but will put here too to keep track of this exciting vase as things are so hard to find on there.


"In the booklet Jovan Rancich and Wally Silva there is a photo on page 15 of a spectacular vase decorated by E J Lewis and it has a similar base stand to this one. The pot in the photo is from the Rancich Family collection.  C S Moller a Danish artist is noted on another Rancich vase that is stunning too and is from the Rancich Family collection !!!! What do we make from this?"

I am hoping that Gail Henry has some info on these talented hand painters and will check out Harwyn/Partridge in her book today.  This work is far superior to the usual Harwyn painted vases, which are just fabulous.

Branka Rancich must have donated these 16 Rancich pieces to the Auckland Museum for her to be credited for them ... The fourth one down has very similar flowers to your vase Jeremy.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

There are two that have numbers, the first one has 11 and the 5th one down has a 7 on the base...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

No serifs there, Ev, so we shall have to see what else turns up.

Here you go Mr Bionic Eyes

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I have all of the image info so that we can cross check and includes three known Glen Afton numbers 27,62,66.

My first thoughts are that there are two different 7's.  
One has a straight long bit and the Glen Afton has a curved long bit.

Certainly some different 2s and 5s.

I'm not goibg to stick my neck out and try and guess what is what but I think we could develop a useful library of digits for each pottery.

IF it all works out it could help for those pieces which are not clearly thrown or cast as a backup test for pottery.

I almost caught on to my piece being R/W when I became aware of the thrown/cast distinction because the deepish groove in my foot could have potential to jam the pot in the mould if it was cast.

Note that when CL replaced Rancich for Salisbury blanks the flat grooved foot was modified, made into a curve-sectioned foot to make mould removal easier. in the similarly shaped vase.

I realise that I've joined in late but glad to have finally made a useful contribution to this R/S and G/A discussion. I'm well aware of how much work you and Val and Kat and Andi et al have done already, Ev.

eds: the straight 7 is the R/S as indicated above so I'm guessing the curvy 7 is G/A .?.

Not in the best condition. I see an image from Auckland Museum but not in the forums gallery.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

As Glen Afton only made slip cast ware and Rancich/Silva only made hand potted ware it should be a simple process to identify the maker.
I have a fairly good selection of Glen Afton that has all been decorated by Partridge Potteries and most has their sticker.