Denby Pottery

Denby Pottery Vase | Glyn Colledge Studio

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A beautifully hand-decorated stoneware vase from Denby’s Glyn Colledge Studio Range, showcasing the earthy sophistication of British mid-century design. Its rounded body and slender neck are accentuated by painterly botanical motifs in olive, brown, and cream tones. The speckled reactive glaze—a hallmark of Colledge’s artistry.

This signed studio piece reflects Denby’s post-war transition from functional tableware to collectible art pottery, merging craftsmanship with individuality and artistic flair.

Discover more beautifully crafted pieces in our Vases Collection, each with its own story, texture, and charm.

Dimensions

- Height: 19.7 cm
- Diameter (at the widest point): 12 cm

Condition

- Excellent - The vase is in excellent vintage condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs.
- The glaze retains a beautiful satin sheen and displays Denby’s signature mid-century textural depth.
- A faint handwritten inscription (“From…”) appears underneath, likely a personal dedication from the original gifting, adding sentimental provenance.

Special Characteristics

1. Design & Features:
This vase exemplifies the Glyn Colledge Studio Range, celebrated for its organic hand-painted designs and tactile glazes. Each piece was individually decorated by hand, resulting in one-of-a-kind variations that reveal the artist’s brushwork and control of layered glazes. The stylised leaves and floral forms evoke Denby’s mid-century exploration of nature-inspired design, while the gently speckled glaze adds tonal richness and a soft, satin sheen.

2. Craftsmanship:
Hand-decorated and signed by Glyn Colledge (1922–2000), this vase was crafted from Denby’s signature high-fired stoneware, known for its strength and enduring beauty.

Colledge began working for the Denby Pottery Company in July 1938 while studying at the Burslem School of Art under Gordon Forsyth, one of Britain’s most influential ceramic educators. After serving in the RAF Sea Rescue Service during World War II, he returned to Denby as a trainee designer under his father, Albert Colledge, who was the company’s design director.

He was later given a private studio—formerly used by Austrian designer Alice Teichtner—where he developed the now-iconic “Glyn Ware” line. These works were characterised by flowing leaf motifs, earthy colours, and experimental glazing techniques that reflected Colledge’s painterly style.

To navigate Britain’s high purchase tax on decorative pottery, Denby marketed these hand-decorated pieces as functional ware. Each was personally signed by Colledge, ensuring it qualified as studio pottery and preserving both its authenticity and artistic integrity.

3. Backstamp:
The underside bears the impressed mark “Bourne Denby – Made in England”, identifying it as a genuine product of Joseph Bourne & Son Ltd, the original name of the Denby Pottery Company. Denby continued to use the Bourne Denby mark into the mid-20th century, particularly on studio and hand-painted items, as a nod to its heritage. This dual marking—Bourne Denby and Glyn Colledge—authenticates the vase as a true mid-century studio creation that bridges Denby’s 19th-century lineage with post-war artistic innovation.

4. Uses & Versatility:
A striking decorative accent for display on a sideboard, mantel, or bookshelf. Perfect for collectors of British studio pottery or admirers of mid-century design. Pairs beautifully with neutral interiors or spaces featuring natural materials and organic textures.