Kerryl A20

Designer	Allan James
Maker	Kerryl
Marks	Incised “A20 Kerryl” to base
Material	Terra cotta clay
Description	Earthenware press-moulded bowl with tab handle to top of  thickened rim.  Light brown glaze to interior of bowl and top part of exterior.
Condition	Very good
Number	A 20
Production Date	Late 1970s
Width at rim	110mm
Width at Base	70mm
Depth	54mm
Length (with handle)	147mm
Weight	220gm
Volume	300ml
Acquisition	Camberwell Sunday Market 20th May 2012.
Rameking Reference Number	Ker 004-008

The story of Kerryl cannot be told without including Remued, or Preston Premier Pottery.  The Man who began Kerryl was Allan Edgar James who was born in the Melbourne suburb of Preston on the 7^th of October 1914 to John James and Edith (Roath).  As a seventeen year old, Allen was reputed to have been riding his bicycle past the Remued Pottery when he was offered a job as a thrower by David Dee, (1877-1934) part owner with Reg Hawkins (1894-1971).  Hawkins had migrated to Australia during the depression and had been a potter and decorator in England.  Dee, born in Launceston along with his five brothers had been apprenticed by John Campbell in Launceston Tasmania and later worked at Hoffmans in Melbourne, Victoria before starting PPP.

Premier Pottery in Preston was commenced  by them in 1929.  Both men had had much experience in pottery before beginning this small business by renting premises at 52 Oakover Road in Preston. Previously this site was used for curing bacon. This was a perfect location for opening a pottery as there was a large clay pit, virtually next door to the pottery.  See my entry for Remued for a more complete story.

 Allan took to pottery work quickly, practicing at every opportunity and his working speed meant that Remued became a leading maker in Melbourne.  David Dee died in Coburg, Victoria in 1934 and by then Allan had become an indispensable worker at Remued eventually becoming head potter.  (Yes, I know they didn’t become Remued until after David’s death.)  Margot Kerr (1898-1954) taught Allan decorating.  (Margot learnt from Merric Boyd)

Allan James in the 1930s

 Allan was the only person to stay at the pottery during the Second World War.  They had Army contracts, so someone had to make it.  In 1946 Premier Pottery was back to the level of production it was at before the war but strong competition arose from cheap Japanese imported goods, hindering the success of Premier Pottery. This trend continued, ultimately forcing them to close their doors for good in 1956.  They ceased production following, in part difficulties over the lease of the premises.  Factors such as management and rental disputes, changes in the market place, and a decrease in sales, eventually led to their closure.

 Before this, in 1951-52 Allan set up a second small pottery operation using an electric kiln, not at Oakover Road but in the backyard of his home at 16 Esther St, Preston.  It may be speculated that he was preparing to abandon Premier Pottery, which probably would have meant the end of Premier because the pottery revolved around him.  Whatever transpired it is known that, about that time, his position at Premier changed from being an employee in a firm owned by Reg Hawkins to being a co-owner.  Alan continued to work by day at Premier and worked evenings at home as well.

Allan transferred production of 'A' Series items there. The series was extended with new shapes and new styles of glazing reflecting changing fashions.  Slip-casting was introduced for some designs, replicating popular pieces from other potteries including Beswick, Shorter & Son and E.G.Greenway.  Many familiar shapes from the Later Series also made a re-appearance in the Kerryl range, particularly after about number A88. 

 The 'backyard' product, not surprisingly, bore a close similarity in style to contemporary Remued production from Oakover Road.  A new numbering series was instigated, the 'A' Series, marketed alongside the Later Series through the same agents. Like the Later Series the 'A' Series started at number 1 but was distinguished by the prefix letter 'A'.  Initially 'A' Series shapes were nearly all new, not repeating previous shapes. They included that favourite of 1950s potters, ramekins (numbered A1 & A2) plus lamp bases, dishes and vases.

 Kerryl Pottery, later operated from 53 Banbury Road Reservoir Victoria 1958 to 1980. Incised “Kerryl” to base. The name may be derived from Margot Kerr who worked at Remued from the early 1930s and was responsible for introducing the now highly collectable gumleaf/gumnut design, although it is believed that it was named for Kerry, the son of Allan and Myrtle James. The "M" series may be named for Myrtle James, nee Fraser (1916-2007) wife of Allan.  Allan died in Preston in 1979.

Compiled from
Darebin Libraries

Powerhouse Museum 

Remued.com

Penny Webb “Gumnuts and Glazes”

Fiesta by Elischer

Designer	John Elischer
Maker	Elischer
Marks	Incised “Fiesta” to base
Material	Slipware
Description	Triangular bowl with rounded corners, tapering towards base.  Fishtail handle. Off white light gloss overglaze with harlequin interiors.
Condition	Good, some crazing to interior of bowl
Number
Production Date	1960s
Width   at rim	97mm
Width at Base	50mm
Depth	40mm
Length (with handle)	140mm
Weight	190gm
Volume	210ml
Acquisition	Waverley Antique Bazaar 11 May 2012
Rameking Reference Number	FIE 001-005

These ramekins are almost identical to the Elischer Cottonware ramekins, except for a slightly modified handle.  

Elischer Pottery was started in Sandringham in 1947 by well-known sculptor John (Johann Wolfgang) Elischer (1891-1966) and his son, also named John, (known as Wolly). John (Snr) was born in Vienna and trained at the Academy of Vienna from 1908 to 1911 and was an Associate of the Royal Academy Vienna.  He won the Prix de Rome in 1909.  This was a scholarship for art students, although his name does not appear on the list of winners, he may have been awarded a second prize.  This is no shame because Manet and Monet both failed to win the Prix de Rome.  Johan later studied in Paris (1910-1911) under the even more famous August Rodin.

After serving with the Austro-Hungarian forces in World War 1, he practiced as a sculptor in Vienna and designed figures for Austrian pocelain factories.   In 1924, he became the Art Director at Dittman-Brunner, an Austrian light fitting and novelty manufacturer.  He won an international competition in 1926 to design a memorial in South Africa for General Botha.  An excellent example of his early work, the sculpture, 'Foundryman' is held in the Eckhart G. Grohmann Museum at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.  This piece captures the intense concentration, grace and skill involved in pouring metal.

John migrated to Australia in 1935. While living in Douglas Street Toorak in 1951, John won the 200 Guinea prize for a design for a jubilee medal for Australian Primary School and pre school children.  The medal was given to the school children of Australia in 1951 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Federation of Australia. The design was chosen after a competition, with the valuable cash prize of two hundred guineas. It was won by John for his depiction of a man hand-sowing wheat.  The wheat represents the seven States of Australia on the other side of the medal, at left 1901, at right 1951 in tiny letters near ground right, J.W.E. (obverse) Some of his notable sculptures are busts of Archbishop Daniel Mannix and Television great Graham Kennedy in clay.

Elischer, P. Hurry and John Farmer together held an exhibition of works at the Atheaeum, Collins Street Melbourne, in June 1937. The catalogue lists 10 pieces of sculpture by 'John Wolfgang Elischer, A.R.A. (Associate of the Royal Academy) (Vienna)' (Copy in Museum Victoria History and Technology Department

Elischer also received commissions for sculptures including the King George V Memorial in Bendigo (1938),  The statue was unveiled by the then Premier of Victoria, Mr Dunstan amidst complaints that local materials had not been used in the making of the statue.  He also made a bronze fountain for businessman and philanthropist Sir Russell Grimwade in Toorak  In 1946 Huntley Pottery in Glenhuntly began making slip cast items designed by John Elischer. 

John (Senior) died in 1966 and the business was continued by his son John (Wolly), until 1987 when it was sold.  Prior to that, at some time, he started making pieces the brand NCP.

The business continues today as “Unique Ceramics” at 31 - 33 Beaumaris Parade, Highett, Victoria. You probably have some of their stuff without knowing it. Have a look at the bottom of that ceramic port bottle of beer stein from the Dandenong Octoberfest.  In 2002, Elischer Street in Canberra was named in his honour.  Unique Ceramics continues to use the “Elischer” brand today on some of their wares.