Denby Arabesque. A lasting impression of the 1960s

Without doubt, Denby pottery is made to last. And if these items are anything to go by, it certainly does.

This is a range of tableware called Arabesque. Designed by Jill Pemberton for Denby in the 1960s, the items are so well-made in a hard Denby stoneware that they seem to be virtually indestructible. Even after so long, they don't look to have any real signs of wear or use. In a way, the design too has withstood the test of time. Even though the shape and surface painting is very much in the style of the '60s, they somehow retain their appeal and freshness today.

As I have quite a few examples of Arabesque in the Potshots collection now, I have recently passed a few bits on for others to enjoy by way of Ebay.

Denby Potters Wheel by David Yorath. An eye for style.

Denby is an internationally known name associated with the design and production of high-quality pottery. Over the years Denby have made countless ranges of tableware in their satisfyingly heavy, hard-wearing stoneware. And very nice it is too.

But away from the coffee cups, dinner plates and salt pots, you can occasionally find a strand of Denby pottery that deserves its own special mention. And, in my view, this is one such range.

This is Potters Wheel by Denby Pottery. Designed by David Yorath and producd in 1973 or 1974, I suppose items such as these – vases, lidded pots, small bowls – would be termed as giftware. There is a large range of Potters Wheel tableware which is perfectly fine but somehow not quite as eye-catching as these examples.

And there's certainly plenty to catch the eye. The bodies have nice contrasting finishes. Bands of matt surfaces sit next to richly coloured glossy surfaces. Rings of raised clay dots add a subtle texture and an appealing tactile element. The variable colour schemes and uncomplicated shapes work well too.

Although made by a huge company known mainly as a mass-producer, these carefully designed items seem to have a hand-crafted individuality to them. And that's one of the reasons why I'll be keeping an eye out for more.

There's a bit more information on Potters Wheel here: Potters Wheel on Retro Pottery Net

Retro Denby Langley vases. Is this the hand of Glyn Colledge?

Charity shops, car boot sales and flea markets are great places to find some excellent retro pottery from the 1960s and 1970s. This is a range of pottery that caught my eye a couple of years back and I've been picking it up here and there ever since. The main reason is that I like it.

At this point, I would normally go on to tell you what I've found out about this pottery. On this occasion, I must confess that I don't know a lot about these vases.

I do know they are by Langley Pottery, which was, at the time I think they were made, owned by Denby Pottery. I would guess they were made at the end of the 1960s or the beginning of the 1970s. I also know that Glyn Colledge was busy producing some wonderful work for Denby and Langley around this time. I wondered if this could be a range designed and/or painted by him. Unfortunately, I haven't got a range name either so researching these pots has been unproductive, so far.

The vases are quite heavy, the glaze is silky matt, and the abstract, hand painted decoration in dark greens and oranges looks really stylish. 

If anyone does know any more about this range, I'm always grateful for info.

A bit more here on Glyn Colledge 
 

PS (20th April) Contacted the Langley Pottery Collectors Society (thanks cowcups) and got this reply (thanks Jenifer) "Your vases are from the Sycamore range of vases and bowls. It was designed by Glyn Colledge and was in production at the Langley Mill Pottery from 1963 – 1965"

Ah, the power of the internet.