Oswold Counsell Stephens was a key figure in New Zealand's studio pottery movement. Born in Dunedin in 1896, he studied at various schools before receiving a gold medal for top student at Canterbury Agricultural College. Stephens went on to graduate from the University of Otago with first-class honours in organic chemistry in 1923.

His interest in the heat treatment of clays led to a job as a technical chemist at New Zealand Insulators Limited in Temuka. After losing his job during the depression, he built a studio and laboratory in his backyard and was appointed science master at King Edward Technical College in Dunedin in 1933, where he taught until 1961.

Stephens established Handcraft Pottery, a small semi-commercial workshop behind his home in Clyde Street, Dunedin. His production mostly used slip-cast techniques, but he later imported an electric kiln and built more...

He held several one-man shows by the 1940s and produced a set of six urns for Government House in 1948. Stephens was a founder and life member of the Otago Potters’ Group and the New Zealand Society of Potters. He organised the first exhibition of New Zealand potters in 1957 and exhibited regularly with the Otago Art Society. His work is held in several museums and galleries, including the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Otago Museum, and New Zealand House in London.

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O.C. Stephens (1898-1980) large green monochrome glazed vase…

O.C. Stephens Green Glazed Vase with Incised Ribs

O.C. Stephens (1898-1980) large green monochrome glazed vase ovoid form with incised ribs to the shoulder. Printed signature mark. Height 17.5 cm. Note: Oswold Counsell Stephens was a notable New Zealand teacher, chemist and potter. He was born in Dunedin…

A large O C Stephens red glazed vase, ovoid form with incised…

O C Stephens Red Glazed Incised Vase, 17.5 cm

A large O C Stephens red glazed vase, ovoid form with incised bands to the shoulder. Printed signature mark, height 17.5 cm.,

A set of four O.C Stephens mugs, with a chocolate brown outer…

O.C Stephens Signature Mugs - Set of Four

A set of four O.C Stephens mugs, with a chocolate brown outer glaze and yellow interior. All with potters painted signature to base, height 8 cm, width 8 cm, diameter 11 cm

O. C Stephens ovoid vase incised pattern on the shoulder, mark…

Incised Ovoid Vase by O.C. Stephens

O. C Stephens ovoid vase incised pattern on the shoulder, mark to the base, 20 cm height

Crown Lynn whiteware urn vase & O. C. Stephens trough, of sizes

Crown Lynn Urn & O.C. Stephens Trough

Crown Lynn whiteware urn vase & O. C. Stephens trough, of sizes

Five various O. C. Stephens pieces trough vase rim chip, trough…

O. C. Stephens Pottery Collection

Five various O. C. Stephens pieces trough vase rim chip, trough vase formed as log, pot & two dishes, all marked

O. C. Stephens, whiteware trough printed mark, 32 cm length

O.C. Stephens Whiteware Trough - Printed Mark

O. C. Stephens, whiteware trough printed mark, 32 cm length

O. C. Stephens, miniature pot & dish, stamped marks, 6 cm…

Miniature Pot and Dish by O.C. Stephens

O. C. Stephens, miniature pot & dish, stamped marks, 6 cm height, 10 cm diameter

William IV sterling silver trophy cup, mark of Benjamin…

1837 Sterling Silver Trophy Cup with Horse Engravings

William IV sterling silver trophy cup, mark of Benjamin Stephens, London, 1837, with a flower and leaf rim, the body chased and engraved with three horses and their riders, one side inscribed ' presented to Lieut Sheberras (?) in the Direction of the…

O C Stephens rectangular float vase & pair of mugs off-white…

Rectangular Float Vase & Teal Mugs with Marks

O C Stephens rectangular float vase & pair of mugs off-white exterior & teal interior, all with marks to base, trough 22 cm length

O.C. Stephens pottery vase, uncommon sponged dark khaki green…

Sponged Green and Orange Pottery Vase by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens pottery vase, uncommon sponged dark khaki green glaze on mottled bright orange. Printed signature mark to base and hand numbered '123', height 9 cm. Note: A similar example illustrated pg.55 'New Zealand Pottery' by Gail Henry 1999.

Four English glazed stoneware ink jugs, including Doulton and…

English Glazed Stoneware Ink Jugs, Doulton and Stephens (Set of 4)

Four English glazed stoneware ink jugs, including Doulton and Stephens, height 4.5 cm-12.5 cm (4)

Two O C Stephens trough vases formed as logs with posy pot all…

Pair of O C Stephens Log Trough Vases with Posy Pot

Two O C Stephens trough vases formed as logs with posy pot all with stamped mark to base, 20 cm each length, 8 cm high 3

O. C. Stephens, clam shell bowl stamp to base, 29 cm length…

Clam Shell Bowl with Repair, O.C. Stephens Stamp

O. C. Stephens, clam shell bowl stamp to base, 29 cm length repair to rim

O. C. Stephens, pair mugs, printed marks, 9 cm height

Pair of O.C. Stephens Printed Mark Mugs - 9cm Height

O. C. Stephens, pair mugs, printed marks, 9 cm height

Crown Lynn posy vase with Barry ball mug & jug (4), Oc Stephens…

Crown Lynn Vase and Barry Ball Mug Set (4)

Crown Lynn posy vase with Barry ball mug & jug (4), Oc Stephens mug, printed mark, Crown Lynn posy vase (af) together with Barry ball mug & jug, impressed marks (4)

O.C. Stephens, two small vases, glazed ceramic, one in green,…

Glazed Ceramic Vases in Green and Red

O.C. Stephens, two small vases, glazed ceramic, one in green, the other in red, printed mark to the bases, tallest height 9 cm

O.C. Stephens, Urn-shaped vase, green glazed ceramic, printed…

Green Glazed Ceramic Urn Vase by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, Urn-shaped vase, green glazed ceramic, printed mark to the base, height 17 cm

An O.C. Stephens tall ovoid stoneware vase, the tan glaze with…

O.C. Stephens Stoneware Vase with Brown Bands

An O.C. Stephens tall ovoid stoneware vase, the tan glaze with brown bands with three brown bands to the top, lustrous finish. Printed signature and painted no. 581 to base. Height 19 cm.

O. C. Stephens, ovoid vase signature to base, 14.5 cm height

O. C. Stephens Ovoid Vase, 14.5 cm Height

O. C. Stephens, ovoid vase signature to base, 14.5 cm height

A rare O. C. Stephens posy vase, Exceedingly rare sponged…

Rare O.C. Stephens Posy Vase with Sponged Decoration

A rare O. C. Stephens posy vase, Exceedingly rare sponged decoration. Signed and numbered to base. Illustrated on Pg. 55 of New Zealand Pottery ? Commercial & Collectable by Gail Henry, height 10 cm, diameter 12 cm

O.C. Stephens, stoneware bottle vase, poured matt white glaze,…

Stoneware Bottle Vase with White Glaze by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, stoneware bottle vase, poured matt white glaze, potter's mark to the foot, 21 x 9 x 9 cm

A trio of O.C. Stephens red glazed pieces, two with turquoise…

O.C. Stephens Red Glazed Trio with Turquoise Internal Glaze

A trio of O.C. Stephens red glazed pieces, two with turquoise internal glaze. All with stamped signature to base. Largest height 13.5 cm, depth 12.5 cm

A trio of pieces by O.C. Stephens, two small dishes, the red…

Stephens Pottery Trio: Red, Green & Lavender

A trio of pieces by O.C. Stephens, two small dishes, the red with a hair crack to rim, and one larger pottery bowl with a green and lavender glaze. Largest height 6.5 cm, depth 17 cm

A suite of four Hand-Potted O.C. Stephens bowls, of varying…

Hand-Potted O.C. Stephens Bowls with Varying Glazes and Bubbling

A suite of four Hand-Potted O.C. Stephens bowls, of varying glazes, some with internal bubbling beneath glaze. All with impressed initials. Largest depth 21 cm

An O.C. Stephens kaka beak wall pocket vase, modelled floral…

Mottled Brown Vase with Floral Decoration by O.C. Stephens

An O.C. Stephens kaka beak wall pocket vase, modelled floral decoration in a finely mottled brown glaze with green highlights, printed potter's mark to reverse, height 19 cm.

O C Stephens, flower urn, printed mark, 18 cm height

O.C. Stephens Flower Urn with Printed Mark, 18 cm Height

O C Stephens, flower urn, printed mark, 18 cm height

O.C. Stephens, four whiteware vessels, with green lining,…

Green-lined Whiteware Vessels by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, four whiteware vessels, with green lining, stamped marks, the taller, height 14 cm

O.C. Stephens, red glazed lamp base, with stamped mark, height…

Red Glazed Lamp Base by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, red glazed lamp base, with stamped mark, height 20 cm

O.C. Stephens, blue glazed jar, with stamped mark, height 11 cm

Blue Glazed Jar by O.C. Stephens - Stamped Mark, 11cm

O.C. Stephens, blue glazed jar, with stamped mark, height 11 cm

O.C. Stephens, three whiteware with pink lining pieces,…

Pink-lined Whiteware Trio

O.C. Stephens, three whiteware with pink lining pieces, comprising a large trough (hairline crack), a smaller one and an oblong vase, all with stamped marks, width 23 cm

O.C. Stephens, hand potted footed bowl, with ash olive glaze…

Hand-potted footed bowl with ash olive glaze and incised lines

O.C. Stephens, hand potted footed bowl, with ash olive glaze and incised concentric lines to shoulder, impressed initials, diameter 17 cm

O.C. Stephens, large hand potted vase, with impressed initials…

Impressed Initials Handmade Vase, 22cm Height (Small Chip)

O.C. Stephens, large hand potted vase, with impressed initials (small chip), height 22 cm

O.C. Stephens, four small hand potted bowls, one with impressed…

Four Handmade Pottery Bowls by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, four small hand potted bowls, one with impressed initials, the others with stamped marks, diameter 12 cm

O.C. Stephens, three hand painted ceramics with floral…

Floral Ceramics by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, three hand painted ceramics with floral decoration, comprising a plate, a small dish and a jug, stamped mark, the larger, diameter 23.5 cm

O.C. Stephens, hand potted plate, with poured brown glaze over…

Brown and Blue Pottery Plate by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, hand potted plate, with poured brown glaze over blue, impressed initials

O.C. Stephens, hand potted vase and a bowl, the first with…

Hand-potted vase and bowl by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, hand potted vase and a bowl, the first with stamped mark, the second with impressed initials, height 19 cm

O.C. Stephens, white glazed ovoid vase, with stamped mark,…

White Glazed Ovoid Vase with Stamped Mark, 19 cm Height

O.C. Stephens, white glazed ovoid vase, with stamped mark, height 19 cm

O.C. Stephens, green glazed ovoid vase, with stamped mark,…

Green Glazed Vase by O.C. Stephens (19 cm)

O.C. Stephens, green glazed ovoid vase, with stamped mark, height 19 cm

O.C. Stephens, seven?piece hors d?oeuvre set, whiteware with…

Whiteware Hors d'Oeuvre Set with Wood Tray

O.C. Stephens, seven?piece hors d?oeuvre set, whiteware with green lining with original wood tray, stamped marks, diameter 35 cm

O.C. Stephens, hand painted seven?piece hors d?oeuvre set,…

Hand-painted Hors d'oeuvre Set by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, hand painted seven?piece hors d?oeuvre set, stamped marks, width 30.5 cm overall

O.C. Stephens, four stoneware vessels, comprising a vase, a…

Stoneware Vessels by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, four stoneware vessels, comprising a vase, a bowl, a trough and a shaped dish, all with stamped marks, height 14 cm

O.C. Stephens, hand painted jar and lidded box, the box…

Hand-painted Jar and Box Set by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, hand painted jar and lidded box, the box containing two small trays, all with stamped marks, the taller, height 10.5 cm

O.C. Stephens, two bowls, with impressed initials and a green…

O.C. Stephens Pottery Set with Green Tray

O.C. Stephens, two bowls, with impressed initials and a green tray with stamped mark, the larger, diameter 23 cm

O.C. Stephens, hand potted white baluster vase, stamped mark,…

Hand-potted white vase by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, hand potted white baluster vase, stamped mark, height 20 cm

O.C. Stephens, four hand potted pieces, including a coffee and…

Four Hand-Potted Pieces by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens, four hand potted pieces, including a coffee and a garlic jar (both with cork), and two tea bowls, most with impressed initials, the taller, height 13 cm

Book 'History of the New British Province of SA' by John…

New British Province: SA's History

Book 'History of the New British Province of SA' by John Stephens 1839

O.C. Stephens wall vase, leaf form, green glaze, printed mark.…

Green Glazed Leaf Wall Vase by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens wall vase, leaf form, green glaze, printed mark. Height 19.5 cm

O.C. Stephens trough form vase, long rectangular form, ribbed…

Green Ribbed Trough Vase by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens trough form vase, long rectangular form, ribbed sections, green overall glaze, printed mark. Length 28 cm

Three O.C. Stephens graduating bowls, the smallest with…

Graduating Bowls Set with Printed Marks

Three O.C. Stephens graduating bowls, the smallest with purple/red interior, yellow and green to others, printed mark to each. Diameter 8 cm 14 cm and 20 cm

O.C. Stephens lidded storage jar, brown glaze, ribbed form,…

Brown Ribbed Storage Jar with Printed Mark (9 words)

O.C. Stephens lidded storage jar, brown glaze, ribbed form, printed mark. Height 11 cm

Three O.C. Stephens small pottery dishes, green, yellow and…

Stephens Pottery Trio with Colorful Interiors

Three O.C. Stephens small pottery dishes, green, yellow and blue patterned interiors, each with potter's mark, the largest with minor flake chipping to rim.

O.C. Stephens painted vase, baluster form, painted with leafy…

Red Branches Vase by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens painted vase, baluster form, painted with leafy branches in red dominant glaze on mildly textured pale tan ground, printed mark. Height 11.5 cm

A pair of O.C. Stephens candlesticks, soft red glaze, some…

Red Glazed O.C. Stephens Candlesticks with Printed Marks

A pair of O.C. Stephens candlesticks, soft red glaze, some faults, printed marks. Diameters 12.6 cm

Two O.C. Stephens small bowls, one with green interior, the…

Pair of O.C. Stephens Green Bowls with Potter's Mark

Two O.C. Stephens small bowls, one with green interior, the other all green. Potter's mark to both. Diameters 8 cm and 8.5 cm

Two O.C. Stephens pottery pieces, a wrythen paneled blue glaze…

Stephens Pottery: Blue & Teal Vases with Orange Highlights

Two O.C. Stephens pottery pieces, a wrythen paneled blue glaze vase with orange highlights to the top rim, small flake chip to rim and a spherical dark teal green vase, both with potter's mark to base. Heights 10 cm and 7.3 cm

Three O.C. Stephens pottery pieces, a small blue pot, squat red…

O.C. Stephens Pottery Trio with Printed Marks

Three O.C. Stephens pottery pieces, a small blue pot, squat red vase and green trough vase, all with printed marks.

Two O.C. Stephens pottery vases, one of nautilus form, the…

Stephens Pottery: Nautilus & Boat Vases

Two O.C. Stephens pottery vases, one of nautilus form, the other of boat form with long angular handles, soft green interior, both with printed potter's marks. Lengths 13.5 cm and 21 cm

O.C. Stephens lidded potpourri, soft pink glaze, pierced insert…

Pink Lidded Potpourri with Pierced Top by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens lidded potpourri, soft pink glaze, pierced insert top, printed mark to base. Height 11.5 cm

O.C. Stephens fan form vase, soft pink interior, printed…

Pink Interior Vase by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens fan form vase, soft pink interior, printed maker's mark to base. Height 16.3 cm

O.C. Stephens tall trough form vase, tall wavy sides, soft pink…

Pink Trough Vase with Wavy Sides

O.C. Stephens tall trough form vase, tall wavy sides, soft pink interior, printed mark to base. Height 13 cm

O.C. Stephens pottery vase, flared baluster form, soft pink…

Pink Flared Pottery Vase by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens pottery vase, flared baluster form, soft pink interior glaze, printed mark to base. Height 13 cm

Three O.C. Stephens items, an ovoid vase with stylised green…

O.C. Stephens Ceramic Collection

Three O.C. Stephens items, an ovoid vase with stylised green floral designs on tan, with lustre overglaze, a small teal blue squat vase and a bright green and white bowl, each with printed mark

O.C. Stephens Art Deco bright green glaze vase, the squat body…

Art Deco Green Glaze Vase with Relief Leaf Decoration

O.C. Stephens Art Deco bright green glaze vase, the squat body with relief scrolling leaf restrained decoration, printed mark. Diameter 16 cm

O.C. Stephens leaf form bowl, pale green glaze, printed mark.…

Pale Green Leaf Bowl by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens leaf form bowl, pale green glaze, printed mark. Length 19 cm

Two O.C. Stephens pottery items, a squat ovoid vase with…

O.C. Stephens Pottery Vase and Box Set

Two O.C. Stephens pottery items, a squat ovoid vase with incised decoration to the shoulder. Theother a rectangular lidded box, lustrous pale blue glaze to both, printed mark to each. The vase diameter 11.5 cm, the box length 11.5 cm

Two O.C. Stephens green glaze bowls, one lozenge hexagonal form,…

Pair of O.C. Stephens Green Glaze Bowls

Two O.C. Stephens green glaze bowls, one lozenge hexagonal form, the other square with angular ribbed ends, both marked. Lengths 19.5 cm and 10 cm, small glaze rubs to corner of box

O.C. Stephens large clam shell bowl, yellow glazed interior,…

O.C. Stephens Clam Shell Bowl with Glazed Interior

O.C. Stephens large clam shell bowl, yellow glazed interior, pale green/grey exterior, printed mark to base. Length 29.5 cm, flake chip to rim

O.C. Stephens pedestal urn vase, vertical lobed exterior in…

Red Lobed Urn Vase by O.C. Stephens

O.C. Stephens pedestal urn vase, vertical lobed exterior in deep red glaze, bright green interior, printed mark to base. Height 13.7 cm

O.C Stephens, five mugs, (one with a hairline fault)

O.C Stephens' Five Mugs (One with Hairline Fault)

O.C Stephens, five mugs, (one with a hairline fault)

O.C Stephens, small hand-painted bowl and dish, each signed and…

Hand-Painted Bowl and Dish by O.C. Stephens

O.C Stephens, small hand-painted bowl and dish, each signed and inscribed 'Hand-painted' to base

O.C Stephens, four assorted pieces, including two vases a dish…

Assorted Ceramics by O.C Stephens

O.C Stephens, four assorted pieces, including two vases a dish and a bowl

O. C Stephens, a pair of white glazed ovoid vases, (one with…

Pair of Signed White Glazed Ovoid Vases, 19 cm Height

O. C Stephens, a pair of white glazed ovoid vases, (one with hair line crack), each signed to the base, height 19 cm

O.C Stephens, white glazed bowl, with green interior, diameter…

White and Green Glazed Bowl by O.C. Stephens

O.C Stephens, white glazed bowl, with green interior, diameter 29 cm

Antique Edwardian Sheraton style inlaid satinwood & mahogany…

Edwardian Inlaid Satinwood Bijouterie Table with Conch Shell Decoration

Antique Edwardian Sheraton style inlaid satinwood & mahogany Bijouterie/display table, standing on fine slender tapering legs, shaped stretcher to base with inlaid conch shell decoration, has key, W. Ex Henry Charles 'Inky' Stephens (February 1841 - July…

Antique Arts & Crafts period walnut chest with finely carved…

Arts & Crafts Walnut Chest with Carvings on Stand

Antique Arts & Crafts period walnut chest with finely carved figures, heraldic animals & floral motif on later stand with spiral twist end supports, United with spiral twist stretchers, approx 95 cm high, 138 cm wide, 67 cm deep. Ex Henry Charles 'Inky'…

O C Stephens, vase, green glaze with applied decoration to…

Green Glazed Vase with Applied Decoration

O C Stephens, vase, green glaze with applied decoration to upper section. Stamped to base. Height 9.5 cm. Diameter 11.5 cm

O C Stephens, vases, white, one with blue interior. Stamped to…

White Vases with Blue Interior by O C Stephens

O C Stephens, vases, white, one with blue interior. Stamped to base (2). Height 12.5 cm. (largest)

O C Stephens, vases, a pair of white vases, one with pink…

Pair of O C Stephens White Vases with Colored Interiors

O C Stephens, vases, a pair of white vases, one with pink interior the other with green interior. Stamped to base (2). Height 13.5 cm

O C Stephens, vase, blue glaze with incised decoration to upper…

Blue Incised Vase by O C Stephens

O C Stephens, vase, blue glaze with incised decoration to upper section. Stamped to base. Height 9.5 cm. Diameter 11.5 cm

An O.C. Stephens kaka beak wall pocket vase, modelled floral…

O.C. Stephens Floral Wall Vase

An O.C. Stephens kaka beak wall pocket vase, modelled floral decoration in a finely mottled brown glaze with green highlights, printed potter's mark to reverse. Height 19 cm