Clarice Cliff (January 20, 1899 - October 23, 1972), was a ceramic artist of the early to mid 20th century.

Clarice was born in Jamaica and began work at AJ Wilkinson's pottery factory in 1916. She was later given her own studio and in 1927 her famous ‘Bizarre’ wares were launched. Her works of this period were in the Art Deco style.

In 1940 she married her then boss Colley Shorter and subsequently moved to nearby Chetwynd House. The factory continues to sell Clarice’s designs until 1964.

In 1972 the first Clarice Cliff exhibition takes place at Brighton, East Sussex, for which she provides comments for the catalogue. Later that year Clarice died suddenly at Chetwynd House.

1999 saw the centenary celebrations of her life and work. This featured the ‘Bizarre Art’ exhibition at the Wedgwood Visitors Centre, Barleston, Stoke-on-Trent.

Most people consider her work to be garish and ugly, but they often sell for ridiculously high prices.

External links

• The Clarice Cliff Web Site Information and links.
• The Clarice Cliff Collectors Club Biographical details, exhibition information and links to images of her designs.