Charlotte Rhead (England) Bursley/ Burley/ Burleigh ceramics

Charlotte Rhead (1885-1947) was an English ceramic artist who is known for her distinctive style and innovative techniques. She was born into a family of potters in Tunstall, Staffordshire, England, and grew up surrounded by the local pottery industry.

In 1905, she began working at the Wardle Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, where she initially painted designs on pottery. She quickly developed a talent for ceramics and began experimenting with new techniques, such as tube-lining, a process in which the design is outlined in raised lines of clay before being filled in with colors.

In 1913, Charlotte Rhead began working at the ceramics firm of Burgess and Leigh, where she developed her signature style of bold, colorful floral designs. She also experimented with new techniques such as lustre glazes, which gave her pieces a metallic sheen.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Charlotte Rhead's designs became extremely popular, more... and her pieces were in high demand. She created a wide range of ceramics, including vases, bowls, and plates, and her work was exhibited at prestigious events such as the Paris Exhibition of 1925.

In 1931, Charlotte Rhead left Burgess and Leigh to work for the A G Richardson Pottery in the UK. There, she continued to experiment with new techniques, such as sgraffito, a process in which the top layer of a design is scratched away to reveal the color beneath. She also developed a new line of ceramics inspired by medieval designs.

Charlotte Rhead continued to work in the pottery industry until her death in 1947. less...