1930’s Temuka Pottery, New Zealand
This is a piece I had some time ago and It is one of the very early pieces from Temuka Pottery New Zealand which started in the 1930s in Temuka, near Christchurch. Its nice to see that the pottery is still thriving today.
The style is classic 1930’s with its beautiful glaze runs in blue and white, with a ribbed shape on which there is some applied relief decoration in a sort of “tiki”style. This style of earthenware pottery was also very popular with Australian potteries, and generally around the world during this period. Even Michael Andersen Pottery in Denmark had a similar series of earthenware pieces.
I believe this design was by the manager of Temuka Pottery when it started up – Arthur Toplis...(although it could also be a piece from Thomas Lovatt) Arthur was a talented potter by trade, and amongst other items, he introduced the production of small items such as tobacco jars for Christmas presents for New Zealand Insulators’ customers (Temuka’s Pottery parent company at the time). Toplis died in 1939, and potter Thomas Norman Lovatt took over as manager in 1941, but many of the designs by Topliss continued for several years afterwards.
Read more about the history of this pottery on their website.
The Auckland Museum also has an interesting collection of early Temuka pieces on their website. The 2 images of the jugs below are from their collection. Have a look at the Temuka collection held by the museum HERE
Temuka Jar, 1930s, New Zealand
Temuka Jar, 1930s, New Zealand
Temuka Jar, 1930s, New Zealand
Temuka Pottery Jug, Collection of Auckland Museum, New Zealand
Temuka Pottery Jug, Collection of Auckland Museum, New Zealand
C20Ceramics 