Terra Ceramics

Designer	Bernhard Fiegel
Maker	Terra Ceramics
Marks	Incised initials “TC” to base
Material	Slip
Description	Abstract fish shaped dish with flat tab handle.  Shallow bowl with oval footring.  Spur marks to base, green gloss glaze to entire body.
Condition	Very Good, no chips, cracks or crazing
Number	No number
Production Date	!980s
Width at rim	118mm
Width at Base	65mm
Depth	40mm
Length (with handle)	195mm
Weight	190gm
Volume	325ml
Acquisition	Purchase Australian Pottery at Bemboka November 2012
Rameking Reference Number	TEC 001-006

Designer	Bernard Fiegel
Maker	Terra Ceramics
Marks	Gold and Black Adhesive label to centre of bowl interior “Terra Ceramics Ovenproof” around outside with “Terra”vertically to right of interior and outline of vase to left with large letter “T” separating them.
Material	Glazed white slip
Description	Gloss brown glazed bowl with moulded stem handle to top edge of exterior.  Unglazed foot ring.  Darker glaze to rim.
Condition	Very Good
Number	No Number
Production Date	1980-81
Width at rim	130mm
Width at Base	62mm
Depth	53mm
Length (with handle)	190mm
Weight	275gm
Volume	375ml
Acquisition	Naomi Fiegel 8th January 2014
Rameking Reference Number	TCE 001-006

Designer	Bernard Fiegel
Maker	Terra Ceramics
Marks	Incised TC to base
Material	Glazed blue slip
Description	Called "Bermagui Blue" by Bernard, one piece gloss blue glazed to interior and exterior bowl with slightly curled moulded tab handle to top edge of exterior.
Condition	Very Good, spur marks to interior of foot ring
Number	No Number
Production Date	1980-81
Width at rim	140mm
Width at Base	75mm
Depth	40mm
Length (with handle)	165mm
Weight	210gm
Volume	325ml
Acquisition	Naomi Fiegel 12th February 2014
Rameking Reference Number	TCE 006-012

Bernhard Fiegel was born in Germany on the 1^st January 1919. He arrived in Darwin by air, 8^th November 1939 as a stateless person. Moving to Paddington, Sydney, where he enlisted for service in Australia during World War 2 having become an Australian citizen in October 1945.  A Ceramicist, he began teaching pottery at Ingleburn in the Australian Convalescent Depot, working with Guy Boyd, after Boyd had worked as an Army cartographer with John Perceval.  Fiegel was a Dutch-trained potter and ceramicist and was a Jewish immigrant whose family had fled Germany at the beginning of WW2. 

Thanks to Bernard's daughter Naomi for this photograph of him.

In 1946, following his discharge, he set up a ceramics business in Ashfield, Sydney, (he lived at 81 Bland Street Ashfield with Erna Fiegel his mother) who helped as a factory hand) later moving to Greenacre. Bernhard was previously married to Marianne Leonie Fiegel, but was divorced in March 1952.  He later married Jean May Stocker Gunn.  He had two children, Paul and Naomi.  Marianne went into nursing.  He produced a variety of ceramic wares using the brand Terra Ceramics”.   Terama was the name of a floral pattern.  He continued production until the early 1980s. These fish shape ramekins are an example of the elegant simplicity of his later work.  Fish shaped pottery was popular in Australia during the 1950s and 60s, more so in the state of New South Wales, with Diana pottery at Marrickville producing many ramekins with a fish design.

In 1981 Bernhard died, but twelve months earlier he had started negotiations with Trugrit Manufacturing Ltd to have his product made in NZ under licence. A new company "Terra Ceramics NZ" was formed using the same raw materials and clay body. They then shipped all of their moulds and other machinery over to Aukland in containers. This new company was run by Mr Ernie Cooper, a qualified Ceramist.

The new company was located at 18 Copsey Place, Rosebank Rd, Avondale, Auckland. H.Hemara, now the elder statesman of New Zealand pottery was working there when the crates containing the moulds were opened in New Zealand. Moulds for Terra were later produced at the Henderson pottery. Initially, the company used the same stickers but later changed them to read Terra Ceramics, New Zealand. Hemara is still making pottery along with his son Paul. So is Terra Ceramics New Zealand.

Thanks to Bernard's daughter Naomi for this photograph of a display of Terra Ceramics 1953..