Australian pottery, especially Pates, is in our opinion somewhat under-rated and has been "set aside" for so long. Sure it was mass produced and the quality is acceptable but not outstanding however the decorative techniques, in particular the use of drip glazing, are quite unique and a reminder of days long past in Australian pottery.
It you haven't already, look at Google using the keywords PATES AUSTRALIA and use the search images option - they produced a vast, unique range of ceramic and china works with a very Australian "flavour" - once you become accustomed to the Pates style of decoration, you can spot them from a mile!
Eric Pate began the pottery in 1946 and it continued until the early 90's although its busiest period was in the 1950's
Pates potteries operated in Belmore, Sydney
Production was usually by the slip casting method, pouring a clay into a mould basically. Then decorating it to suit.
This wide mouthed vase, fashioned in a Lotus shape was of immediate interest to us because of the colouring and overall design. If you are looking for "perfection" in a ceramic, this vase is not going to "do it" for you - there are two flaws detailed below ...
There was another co-incidental reason that we liked this vase ... in our "younger days" we had an interest in all things mystical and the Lotus flower petals are special in the world of Chakra and the six petal flower (Swadhisthana) represents one of the Sacral Chakra symbols. Each one of the petals represents anger, hatred, jealousy, cruelty, desire and pride. In learning about Chakra, these are all emotions that must be overcome to become pure.
See ... it's not just a plain old flower vase!
PATES POTTERIES - Flower Vase
Made in Belmore, Sydney
Circa most likely between 1950's and 1960's. We were lucky enough to purchase this piece in the late 1970's (deceased estate, remember them? We don't see them much any more)
Material: Clay - Ceramic
This vase is medium size
20mm diameter x 160mm height
Six petal sides
Design: Varigated Browns in the top half which fuse into the bright Yellow lower section. The distinctive "drip glazing" has been used for the finish.
Inside the vase is also coloured but here the Browns are "splattered" around the walls, not solid colouring.
Our only disappointment with the colouring used is that the decorator should have reversed the colouring and the Browns obviously mimic the Earth and the bright Yellow, the sun but it is all upside down! Don't try to turn it upside with water inside! (Old persons joke ...)
Weight: 1.2Kg unpacked
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN (Inside & Out)
NO chips or fleabites
NO cracks *** See my notes below though
Watertight
NO handling damage
NO crazing to the outer surface, same goes for the inside. Looking very closely at the base we think there may be extremely light crazing only. We examined our vase both dry and wet.
INSIDE THE VASE!
There are two flaws inside the vase, at the base, please take a peek at the photos.
1) There is a lump of clay (dirty Black/Brown colouring) which feels rough to the touch (a bit like rubbing your hand over a brick) and it is PART OF the surrounding ceramic. It appears to us that it has been there since it's creation and it will not "budge" - leave it alone.
2) There is also a noticeable CRACK in the inside of the base but not any ordinary crack. This looks just like when a water dam dries up and the edges of mud dry up, the mud becomes a cracked texture. This crack looks as though it was also there BEFORE the vase was fired and even appears to have glaze inside the crack.
Looking externally underneath, there are absolutely no signs of this crack at all and the vase is definitely completely waterproof.
The typical Pates Potteries back stamp (printed under the glaze) is easily visible.
So if you like the Pates "drip glaze" look, this vase is looking for a new home to live in!
Keep in mind that shipping Australia wide for this item is fixed at $9 OR if you add some more items to bring your order over $75, then we will ship all of those items for FREE (only within Australia - internationally is fine but at current shipping rates.
