Bowl, stoneware, compressed sides, cratered and pitted white glaze, Lucie Rie, London

Bowl, stoneware, compressed sides, cratered and pitted white glaze.

Dr J.W. Mann Bequest

From the collection of Lucie Rie pots formed by Dr J.W. Mann (Museum nos. C.182 to 191-2014). Dr Mann was a personal friend of Lucie Rie and visited her at Albion Mews almost until her death. Dr Mann was also the GP of Theo Frankel, a close friend of Rie's and fellow émigré. On Dr Mann's death in 1998, the collection was inherited by his son, Christopher (Dr J.C.E. Mann), who later gave the collection to the Museum in memory of his late father.

According to Dr J.C.E. Mann, Theo Frankel used to plant Rie's pots with hyacinths and give them as Christmas presents to friends, including to his doctor. A number of the pots in Dr J.W. Mann's collection are understood to have been acquired in this way. The large planter and saucer (Museum no. C.191:1,2-2014) was bequeathed by Theo Frankel to Dr J.W. Mann, who had been invited to select two items from Frankel's collection. The pear-shaped vase with oval rim and white glaze (Museum no. C.189-2014) was given to Dr J.W. Mann by Lucie Rie following Frankel's death, to thank him for looking after her life-long friend.

C.185-2014