{"product_id":"vera-tollow-british-studio-pottery-lidded-stoneware-casserole-c-1960s-70s","title":"Vera Tollow British Studio Pottery Lidded Stoneware Casserole, c.1960s–70s","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a particularly good example of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVera Tollow’s functional studio pottery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — substantial, confidently thrown and made with the expectation that it would actually be used.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe shape is generous, with a broad body, neat side handles and a substantial fitted lid. I especially like the deep, bowl-shaped knob; it gives the lid almost the character of a second vessel and makes the whole form much more interesting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe glaze moves through muted blue-grey and olive tones, with freely applied rust-red iron decoration running around the body. Nothing is mechanically repeated. The brushwork changes as the pot is turned, so there is no single obvious “front”, and the firing has produced subtle changes in colour across the surface. The darker glazed interior provides a nice contrast with the quieter exterior.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt also has the qualities that make good studio pottery so satisfying to use. There is weight in the hands, the handles feel purposeful, and it is substantial enough to take directly to the table. For me, cooking and serving food from a hand-thrown casserole makes the whole experience feel just a little more special.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTollow \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewas a founder member of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCraftsmen Potters Association\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, as well as a Fellow of the Society of Designer Craftsmen. She worked from studios in Surrey and later Kent and exhibited widely. Her standing among British studio potters of the period is perhaps better indicated by the fact that her work entered the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoyal Collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and was among the contemporary pieces selected for Windsor Castle. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe base carries her characteristic hand-painted and underlined \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTOLLOW\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e signature. Comparable signed stoneware with green glazes and iron decoration has been dated by Roseberys to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1960s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately 21 cm wide × 15 cm high. In excellent vintage condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector’s note:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Vera Tollow is an interesting example of a highly accomplished British potter whose name is less familiar today than the quality of her work might suggest. She made pots to live with — bowls, casseroles, jars and other domestic forms — but allowed the throwing, glaze and decoration to make each one individual. This casserole captures that particularly well: unquestionably useful, but far too good to disappear into a kitchen cupboard.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Eclectic Design ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62893467402399,"sku":null,"price":115.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1929\/9493\/files\/IMG_6935.jpg?v=1792416838","url":"https:\/\/eclecticdesignlondon.com\/products\/vera-tollow-british-studio-pottery-lidded-stoneware-casserole-c-1960s-70s","provider":"Eclectic Design ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}