Contemporary Ceramics at Somerset House :
The following gallery represents an excellent collection of ceramics based in London. Contemporary Ceramics has opened an exciting new exhibition space in Somerset House.
Clarice Cliff was recognized as one of the major  Art Deco ceramic designers of the Twentieth Century and possibly the most prolific. Born on 1899, Clarice  Ciiff started working at the age of 13 as an apprentice enameler.
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 The ritual of “ afternoon tea “ only became a widespread pastime after one of Queen Victoria’s  ladies in waiting, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, promoted the habit of having tea and cakes in the late afternoon.
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The unique look of  Japanese Raku pottery is achieved by utilizing  both smoke and fire in the Raku kiln to  create an unpredictable and unique style. Firstly the pottery is bisque fired, than glazed and fired in a Raku Kiln followed by enhancement in a reduction chamber. create an unpredictable and unique style. Firstly the pottery is bisque fired, than glazed and fired in a Raku Kiln followed by enhancement in a reduction chamber.
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Ardmore African Ceramic Artists
The vibrant ceramics of Ardmore, ranging from functional domestic ware to sculptural art in the highly decorative African tradition, offer a fine insight into the subtle influences of rural potters at work in the Champagne Valley of KwaZulu Natal. These artists combine the elements of their tribal tradition with the unique perspective of a new world. Although the nerve centre of Ardmore has moved to Lavendula in the Natal Midlands, the majority of the artists continue to work on the Ardmore farm near their family homes in the Champagne Valley.
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The ancient Egyptians were gifted artisans and pottery was an art where they excelled. Egypt in the pre dynastic period produced pottery of very high quality From 3000BC on their pottery was decorated with  depictions of animals, humans, boats and various other patterns and symbols. Two main veins of pottery existed during this period, pottery from Nile clay ( red/brown after firing ) and pottery from marl clay ( usually polished to give a lustrous look ).
A deep tradition exists for the alluring blue pottery. Archeological excavations on the Iranian and Central Asian plateaus have uncovered  turquoise blue glazed pottery that dates back to 224AD.
Maiolica : Italian Renaissance ceramics
The tin glazed pottery made in Italy during the Renaissance era was known as Maiolica. It is recognized as one of the most appealing styles of pottery ever produced. Over a period of 1oo years from 1440 to 1540 some of the best Maiolica was created, the early designs being originally influenced by the pottery imported into Southern Italyfrom Islamic North Africa. Maiolica was first developed around 1370 in the Italian regions of Tuscany and Umbria and usually depicted either historical scenes or legendary themes.
Maiolica ceramics underwent two key processes. After the first firing, the bisque is dipped into a bath of fast drying liquid glaze. When dry, the glazed piece is ready to be hand painted. A final firing at 1690 F made the glaze interact with the metal oxides used by the painter to create the deep and brilliant translucent colors specific to majolica.
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Chinese Ceramic Figurines,Shanghai Museum
The Qin (221-206B.C.) and Han (206B.C.-220A.D.) dynasties are noted for the high quality and large numbers of pottery figurines they produced.
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The above top right  bowl was created and photographed by ceramicist/photographer  Philippe Buraud in the Provence of  Ile de France, Paris region, Essonne at la porte du solei.
