Not currently on display at the V&A

Show girl

Figure
1966 (designed), 1966 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Buff stoneware figure, flat, to hang as a pendant decoration, in 4 parts strung together, face and ear/headdress, body and two legs. Decorated with impressed patterns in diamonds, lines and stars to represent in minimal, stylised form, a female dancer with 'bunny ears' headdress, naked body and black fish-net tights; the headdress and panty section of the tights in green and dark blue glazes.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleShow girl (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Glazed stoneware, hand-cut with impressed decoration
Brief description
'Show girl' figure, glazed stoneware, hand-cut with impressed decoration, designed and made by William John Clappison at Hornsea Pottery Co. Ltd., England, 1966.
Physical description
Buff stoneware figure, flat, to hang as a pendant decoration, in 4 parts strung together, face and ear/headdress, body and two legs. Decorated with impressed patterns in diamonds, lines and stars to represent in minimal, stylised form, a female dancer with 'bunny ears' headdress, naked body and black fish-net tights; the headdress and panty section of the tights in green and dark blue glazes.
Dimensions
  • Length: 21.5cm
  • Width: 12.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
'WILLIAM JOHN CLAPPISON 1966' (Impressed in a series of dots)
Credit line
Given by John Clappison
Object history
This and the accompanying two figures [C.276, 277-1986] were made by John Clappison for his own amusement. They were not production line design, but were among a number of such decorative works, some of which were made as commissions or for special exhibitions.

Part of 44 objects, arranged privately by John Clappison, chief staff designer at Hornsea. The selection was made by John Mallet and Jennifer Opie, most of the ceramics then being housed in John Clappison's garage and cellar, the remainder under his care at the Pottery. In 1986 the Pottery was in some difficulties and Mr. Clappison was then alone in seeing the need to save these examples of the factory's production. The titles given are those used in-house by the factory.
Subject depicted
Collection
Accession number
C.275-1986

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Record createdOctober 23, 2008
Record URL
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