Born in Melbourne in 1899, William Ricketts was a self-taught sculptor and conservationist, who commenced modelling in clay in about 1920. Well known for his terracotta sculptures and vessels depicting heads and figures of Aboriginal subjects, he owned a property at Olinda in the Dandenong Ranges, now known as the William Rickett Sanctuary, and open to the public. This property is famous for its bush garden heavily decorated with his terracotta sculptures. Ricketts' works are represented in several state and provincial collections. He died in 1993.

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William Ricketts (1898-1993). Double sided sculptural face of…

Double Sided Men's Face Sculpture by William Ricketts, Earthenware

William Ricketts (1898-1993). Double sided sculptural face of men, earthenware, inscription to interior '43 Potters Sanctuary Mt, Dandenong', height 13 cm. Provenance: The Jack Grace collection

William Ricketts (1898-1993). Earthenware dish, modelled with…

Aboriginal Girl Earthenware Dish by William Ricketts

William Ricketts (1898-1993). Earthenware dish, modelled with the face of an Aboriginal girl, artist's signature 'W.Ricketts', length 24 cm. Provenance: The Jack Grace collection

William Ricketts (1899-1993), figural dish with Indigenous…

William Ricketts (1899-1993), figural dish with Indigenous faces and animals sculpted terracotta clay signed to underside in pencil 'Wm Ricketts/Mt Dandenong / 1957' 30.5 cm x 26 cm

William Ricketts pottery bust of a young boy, incised

William Ricketts pottery bust of a young boy, incised "Wm. Ricketts", 32 cm high

William Ricketts (1898-1993). An important large terracotta…

William Ricketts (1898-1993). An important large terracotta clay wall sculpture featuring sixteen individual indigenous heads, standing a large 90 cm tall by 120 cm in width. This alongside Lot.14 (in this auction) is considered to be one of the largest…

William Ricketts (1898-1993). An important large monumental two…

William Ricketts (1898-1993). An important large monumental two piece terracotta clay wall sculpture depicting a large reclining bearded indigenous tribal elder, 8 indigenous children faces and rare full length self portrait of the sculptor William…

William Ricketts (1899-1993), Out of the rocks they come,…

William Ricketts (1899-1993), Out of the rocks they come, spirit from the eternal sun, ceramic sculpture, incised to base: Wm Ricketts / 'out of the rocks they come, spirit from the eternal sun', 9 cm high

William Ricketts pottery sculpture with three faces, incised in…

Three-Faced Spirits: Ricketts' Pottery Sculpture

William Ricketts pottery sculpture with three faces, incised in the base 'Out Of The Rocks They Come, Spirits From The Eternal Sun. Wm. Ricketts', 8.5 cm high, 9.5 cm wide

A signed Ricketts sculpture, height 19 cm

Signed Ricketts Sculpture: Petite Elegance in 19cm Height

A signed Ricketts sculpture, height 19 cm

A William Ricketts double-sided Pottery bust, the earthenware…

Double-sided Pottery Bust by William Ricketts

A William Ricketts double-sided Pottery bust, the earthenware nude bust of an Aboriginal girl, the reverse adorned with two children's faces, incised 'Wm. Ricketts' to the underside. Height 27 cm

A William Ricketts Pottery tree stump sculpture, the tree trump…

Aboriginal Child Spirit: Ricketts' 1946 Tree Stump Sculpture

A William Ricketts Pottery tree stump sculpture, the tree trump sculpture with Aboriginal child spirit figure, incised 'W. Ricketts' and dated 1946 to the underside. Height 27 cm

A William Ricketts bust of a boy, height 28 cm, width 30 cm

Ricketts' Boy Bust: 28x30 cm Sculpture

A William Ricketts bust of a boy, height 28 cm, width 30 cm

A William Ricketts work of an adolescent, width 15 cm height 12.…

Believed Ricketts: Adolescent Sculpture

A William Ricketts work of an adolescent, width 15 cm height 12.5 cm Not signed but believed to be Ricketts

William Ricketts pottery face, Aboriginal elder pottery wall…

Aboriginal Elder Wall Pocket by William Ricketts

William Ricketts pottery face, Aboriginal elder pottery wall pocket with full signature to base

William Ricketts (1899-1993), Aboriginal elder with four…

William Ricketts: Aboriginal Elder and Sculptor

William Ricketts (1899-1993), Aboriginal elder with four children, sculptured clay, 29.5 cm high, 34 cm wide, 24 cm deep, together with whitefella dreaming: the authorised biography of William Ricketts, Peter Brady, Preferred image, Melbourne, 1994

William Ricketts pottery sculpture of an Aboriginal female,…

Aboriginal Mother and Children by William Ricketts

William Ricketts pottery sculpture of an Aboriginal female, reverse adorned with two children's faces incised 'William Ricketts, The Sanctuary, Mount Dandenong, 1958' 22 cm high. Provenance: The John Stephens Collection

William Ricketts double-sided pottery bust with pencil…

Double-Sided Ricketts Pottery Bust from Stephens Collection

William Ricketts double-sided pottery bust with pencil inscription (illegible) incised 'W. M. Ricketts' 22 cm high. Provenance: The John Stephens Collection

William Ricketts pottery statue of a seated Aboriginal figure…

Ricketts' Aboriginal Statue with Koala, 1941

William Ricketts pottery statue of a seated Aboriginal figure with koala incised 'W. M. Ricketts, Mt. Dandenong, 1941' 10 cm high, 13 cm wide. Provenance: The John Stephens Collection

William Ricketts pottery statue of a tribal elder. Note:…

Ricketts' Tribal Elder Pottery Statue from Stephens Collection

William Ricketts pottery statue of a tribal elder. Note: Pronounced firing crack through base 19 cm high. Provenance: The John Stephens Collection

William Ricketts pair of unusual pottery dishes with kneeling…

Ricketts' Rare Aboriginal Pottery Dishes, 1935

William Ricketts pair of unusual pottery dishes with kneeling Aboriginal figures, rare blue and brown colourway the female example incised 'W. M. Ricketts, Melbourne, 1935' 8 cm high, 10 cm wide. Provenance: The John Stephens Collection

William Ricketts early pottery tree stump dish with squatting…

Ricketts' Pottery Stump with Aboriginal Figure

William Ricketts early pottery tree stump dish with squatting Aboriginal figure, unusual black glaze incised 'W. M. Ricketts, Melbourne, 1936' 7 cm high, 12.5 cm wide. Provenance: The John Stephens Collection

William Ricketts pottery tree stump teapot with applied koalas…

Green Glazed Ricketts Teapot with Koalas

William Ricketts pottery tree stump teapot with applied koalas in rare and early green glaze incised 'W. M. Ricketts, 1934' 17 cm high. Provenance: The John Stephens Collection

William Ricketts pottery bust of a female nude incised 'W. M.…

Ricketts' Nude Bust

William Ricketts pottery bust of a female nude incised 'W. M. Ricketts' 30 cm high

William Ricketts, 'Clay sculpture of two Faces' signed with…

Dual Faces

William Ricketts, 'Clay sculpture of two Faces' signed with inscription verso (minor firing crack to the back)

William Ricketts, Australia 1899-1993, an important clay…

Indigenous Boy Bust by William Ricketts

William Ricketts, Australia 1899-1993, an important clay sculpture of the bust of a young indigenous boy, (hidden boy's face to the underside) signed to base, height 36 cm, width 40 cm

William Ricketts pottery bust of an Aboriginal woman, incised…

Ricketts' Aboriginal Woman Pottery Bust

William Ricketts pottery bust of an Aboriginal woman, incised 'Wm. Ricketts', 28 cm high

William Ricketts double sided pottery bust with pencil titles…

Double-Sided Pottery Bust by William Ricketts

William Ricketts double sided pottery bust with pencil titles 'Kwam Kwan, Iwana', incised 'Wm. Ricketts,', 15 cm high

William Ricketts pottery bookend with Aboriginal elder and…

Aboriginal Elder and Child Pottery Bookend by William Ricketts

William Ricketts pottery bookend with Aboriginal elder and child's face, incised 'Wm. Ricketts, 1946', 23 cm high

William Ricketts clay pendant, decorated with aboriginal man's…

Aboriginal Man Clay Pendant by William Ricketts

William Ricketts clay pendant, decorated with aboriginal man's head design, signed W. Ricketts verso, length 8 cm, width 5 cm

William Ricketts pottery sculpture, depicting the bust of a…

Aboriginal Boy Bust by William Ricketts

William Ricketts pottery sculpture, depicting the bust of a young Aboriginal boy, signed verso, pottery, height 10.5 cm and width 8 cm

William Ricketts aboriginal pottery wall bust, near life size,…

Aboriginal Pottery Wall Bust by William Ricketts

William Ricketts aboriginal pottery wall bust, near life size, incised 'Wm. Ricketts, 33 cm high

William Ricketts (1898-1993), Tgikayli, c. 1960-70's,…

William Ricketts' Earthenware Sculpture "Tgikayli" (15cm)

William Ricketts (1898-1993), Tgikayli, c. 1960-70's, earthernware, signed and titled verso Wm Ricketts, height 15 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

William Ricketts (1898-1993), Face of an Elder c, 1960-70's,…

Ricketts' Elder Face Earthenware Sculpture

William Ricketts (1898-1993), Face of an Elder c, 1960-70's, earthenware, inscribed to base Wm Ricketts, height 24 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

William Ricketts (1898-1993), Double Sided Sculptural Face of…

Double Sided Elder and Young Boy Sculptural Face

William Ricketts (1898-1993), Double Sided Sculptural Face of an Elder and Young Boy, 1965, earthenware, inscribed and dated to base Wm Ricketts, 1965, height 19 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

A ceramic pen tray by William Ricketts (1899-1993), leaf shaped…

William Ricketts' Ceramic Aboriginal Portrait Pen Tray

A ceramic pen tray by William Ricketts (1899-1993), leaf shaped with a loop handle having an aboriginal portrait, leaf tendril finials, incised 'Wm Ricketts Melbourne 1935' to underside, length 21 cm

William Ricketts (Australian, 1898-1993) sculptural portrait of…

Ricketts' Earthenware Portrait of Two Young Boys

William Ricketts (Australian, 1898-1993) sculptural portrait of two young boys, c. 1965 earthenware, inscribed to base 'Wm Ricketts'

William Ricketts (Australian, 1898-1993) sculptural face of an…

Ricketts' Elder Face Sculpture

William Ricketts (Australian, 1898-1993) sculptural face of an elder, c. 1965 earthenware, inscribed to base 'Wm Ricketts'

William Ricketts 1899-1993 Pottery dish depicting 2 Aboriginal…

Aboriginal Faces Pottery Dish by William Ricketts

William Ricketts 1899-1993 Pottery dish depicting 2 Aboriginal faces, 25 cm long, 10 cm wide, 9 cm high

William Ricketts (1899-1993) an unglazed asymmetrical…

Aboriginal Children Loving Cup by William Ricketts

William Ricketts (1899-1993) an unglazed asymmetrical earthenware 'Loving' cup with the faces of two Aboriginal children peering out from the side, inscribed to base: 'W m Ricketts' together with a copy of 'Whitefella dreaming: the authorised biography of…

William Ricketts (1899-1993) a hand painted earthenware dish in…

Hand-painted Aboriginal figure dish by William Ricketts

William Ricketts (1899-1993) a hand painted earthenware dish in the form of an Aboriginal figure crouched by a billabong, signed to base 'Ricketts' 9.5 cm high

William Ricketts pottery fountain piece, 47 x 68 cm

Ricketts' Pottery Fountain: Nature's Serene Reflection

William Ricketts pottery fountain piece, 47 x 68 cm

William Ricketts pottery teapot of tree stump form with applied…

Tree Stump Teapot with Gum Leaves and Nuts

William Ricketts pottery teapot of tree stump form with applied gum leaves and nuts with branch handle, inscribed 'Wm. Ricketts, Potters Sanctuary Mt. Dandenong, 1936', 17 cm high

William Ricketts, sculpture of a young Aboriginal boy, pottery,…

Aboriginal Boy Sculpture by Ricketts

William Ricketts, sculpture of a young Aboriginal boy, pottery, height 20 cm, width 16 cm, signed verso

William Ricketts in spirit with Tgikalyi and faces of the…

Ricketts' Terracotta: Spirit of Love and Living Things

William Ricketts in spirit with Tgikalyi and faces of the Pitgantgara tribe, terracotta, inscribed on base, William / is the / spirit of our love / the spirit / of all living things, 64 x 52 x 38 cm. Provenance: The Estate of Pro Hart, Broken Hill, NSW.…

William Ricketts rare pottery animal figure group garden…

Ricketts' Animal Figure Group Garden Sculpture

William Ricketts rare pottery animal figure group garden sculpture, showing possums, kangaroos, koalas and lyrebirds, 53 x 29 cm

William Ricketts Pottery sculpture of an elder with three…

Elder with Three Children Pottery Sculpture

William Ricketts Pottery sculpture of an elder with three children, incised 'Mountain Gallery, Mt Dandenong, Vic., 23 cm high, 20 cm across

William Ricketts (Attributed) Pottery figure of a tribal elder,…

Tribal Elder Pottery Figure by William Ricketts

William Ricketts (Attributed) Pottery figure of a tribal elder, not signed, 21 cm high

A rare figural clay sculpture, 'The friend of the Arunta',…

"The Friend of the Arunta" Clay Sculpture by William Ricketts

A rare figural clay sculpture, 'The friend of the Arunta', William Ricketts (1898-1993), circa 1939, depicting a group of Arunta tribesmen explaining the importance of the churinga stone to Sir Baldwyn Spencer. Accompanied by original pamphlet and…

William Ricketts (Australian, 1899-1993), fountain sculpture,…

William Ricketts' Earthenware Fountain Sculpture, 1938

William Ricketts (Australian, 1899-1993), fountain sculpture, 1938, hand built earthenware, featuring a small circular plate above three crouching figures upon a shallow circular dish with domed centre glazed in iron oxide, incised to base 'W. M. Ricketts…

William Ricketts Pottery Possum man dish incised 'Wm. Ricketts,…

Ricketts' Pottery Possum Dish, 1937

William Ricketts Pottery Possum man dish incised 'Wm. Ricketts, Potters Sanctuary, 1937' 26 cm across

William Ricketts (1898?1993), An earthenware sculpture of three…

Aboriginal Trio

William Ricketts (1898?1993), An earthenware sculpture of three Aboriginal heads, incised Wm. Ricketts, 16 cm high, 29 cm wide

William Ricketts sculpture, 25 cm high

Ricketts' 25cm Sculpture

William Ricketts sculpture, 25 cm high

William Ricketts Pottery portrait of an indigenous elder,…

Indigenous Elder Portrait by W. Ricketts Pottery

William Ricketts Pottery portrait of an indigenous elder, incised W. Ricketts, 12 cm high

William Ricketts Pottery plate, incised 'Wm Ricketts potters…

William Ricketts Pottery Plate from Mount Dandenong Sanctuary

William Ricketts Pottery plate, incised 'Wm Ricketts potters sanctuary Mount Dandenong, 36 cm long

William Ricketts Pottery pot boiler with tribal elder face,…

Ricketts' Tribal Elder Pottery

William Ricketts Pottery pot boiler with tribal elder face, incised W.R, 9 cm high, 11 cm across

William Ricketts Pottery sculpture of a seated tribal elder,…

Seated Tribal Elder Pottery Sculpture by Wm Ricketts

William Ricketts Pottery sculpture of a seated tribal elder, incised Wm Ricketts, 17 cm high, 14 cm wide

William Ricketts Rare pottery sculpture of a Cunningham Skink,…

William Ricketts' Cunningham Skink Pottery Sculpture

William Ricketts Rare pottery sculpture of a Cunningham Skink, accompanied by letter of provenance from Marvin Hurnall, dated 30th September 2006, 8 cm high, 20 cm long

William Ricketts (1898-1993), An earthenware sculpture of a…

Indigenous Child Earthenware Sculpture by Ricketts

William Ricketts (1898-1993), An earthenware sculpture of a young indigenous child, inscribed 'Ricketts', 9 cm high

A William Ricketts earthenware sculpture modelled of a bearded…

Indigenous Elder and Children Earthenware Sculpture

A William Ricketts earthenware sculpture modelled of a bearded indigenous Australian elder and two children verso. Inscribed WM Ricketts to base. 18 cm high, 13 cm wide.

William Ricketts (1898-1993) An earthenware sculpture modelled…

Ricketts' Earthenware Sculpture with Elder and Boys

William Ricketts (1898-1993) An earthenware sculpture modelled with the head of an elder and two boys, incised Wm Ricketts and dated 1947, 16 cm high

William Ricketts Miniature terracotta portrait panel of an…

Indigenous Elder Terracotta Portrait Panel by William Ricketts

William Ricketts Miniature terracotta portrait panel of an indigenous elder, the reverse indistinctly inscribed, 8 x 5 cm

William Ricketts Pottery head of a tribal elder, signed 'Wm…

Ricketts' Tribal Elder Pottery Head

William Ricketts Pottery head of a tribal elder, signed 'Wm Ricketts', 26 cm high

William Ricketts Pottery bust of an indigenous Australian elder…

Indigenous Elder Bust in Wooden Stand

William Ricketts Pottery bust of an indigenous Australian elder inset in a wooden stand, The terracottra 22 cm high

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A large hand modelled earthenware…

Aboriginal-inspired Lamp Base with Faces and Possum

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A large hand modelled earthenware lamp base decorated with Aboriginal faces and a possum, on a blackwood base, lamp base 51 cm high

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A glazed earthenware twin spout…

Gum Nut Teapot by William Ricketts

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A glazed earthenware twin spout teapot with moulded gum nuts and gum leaves 1934, incised Wm Ricketts, Melbourne, 1934, 24 cm high

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A glazed earthenware figure of a…

William Ricketts' Glazed Earthenware Swagman Figure

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A glazed earthenware figure of a Swagman, incised Wm Ricketts, Potters Sanctuary, Mt Dandenong, 13 cm high, 15 cm wide

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A hand modelled earthenware…

William Ricketts' Kangaroo Man Figure with Churinga

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A hand modelled earthenware figure of a 'Kangaroo Man' holding a Churinga, c. 1940, incised Wm Ricketts, 31 cm high. Illustrated: Australian Art Pottery: 1900 - 1950, Kevin Fahy, Keith Free, John Freeland & Andrew Simpson,…

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A large and impressive hand…

"Kangaroo Man" Earthenware Sculpture by William Ricketts

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A large and impressive hand modelled earthenware sculpture of nine 'Kangaroo Man' figures, incised Wm. Ricketts, Mt Dandenong, 29 cm high, 74 cm wide

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A glazed earthenware twin spout…

Koala Teapot by William Ricketts (1940)

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A glazed earthenware twin spout teapot with moulded koalas, 1940, incised Wishing you Christmas good cheer 1940 Wm Rickett, 20 cm high

William Ricketts (1898-1993. A glazed earthenware twin spout…

Kookaburra Teapot by William Ricketts (1938)

William Ricketts (1898-1993. A glazed earthenware twin spout teapot with moulded kookaburra lid, 1938, incised Potters, Sanctuary Mt Dandenong March 30th 1938 to base, 19 cm high

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A hand modelled earthenware…

"Kangaroo Man" by William Ricketts

William Ricketts (1898-1993). A hand modelled earthenware figure of a 'Kangaroo man' c. 1940, 22.5 cm high

Australian pottery dish with Aboriginal heads and lizard,…

Aboriginal-inspired Ricketts pottery dish with lizard and heads

Australian pottery dish with Aboriginal heads and lizard, signed Ricketts (chipped)

William Ricketts pottery bowl adorned with snakes head & 4…

Ricketts' Pottery Bowl with Snakes and Piccaninny Faces

William Ricketts pottery bowl adorned with snakes head & 4 piccaninny faces, incised signature. Length 33 cm

William Ricketts pottery tea pot with branch handle & spout,…

Aboriginal-inspired Tea Pot by William Ricketts

William Ricketts pottery tea pot with branch handle & spout, base decorated with picaninny face & lid mounted with Aboriginal bust finial. 35 cm Provenance: Private collection Melbourne, previously purchased directly from the Ricketts family.

A small earthenware mask of an aboriginal boy, by William…

Aboriginal Boy Earthenware Mask by William Ricketts

A small earthenware mask of an aboriginal boy, by William Ricketts, inscribed in pencil verso 'Intjitjin, Pitjantgari Tribe', 14 cm high

A large earthenware sculpture of an aboriginal elder, by…

Aboriginal Elder Earthenware Sculpture by William Ricketts

A large earthenware sculpture of an aboriginal elder, by William Ricketts, circa 1940, 32 cm high

William Ricketts: Pottery flower aid in the form of an…

Aboriginal Woman on Tree Trunk Pottery Flower Aid

William Ricketts: Pottery flower aid in the form of an aboriginal woman on a tree trunk. Signed & dated 1934

William Ricketts, a double faced clay sculpture depicting an…

Aboriginal Elder and Child Double-Faced Clay Sculpture

William Ricketts, a double faced clay sculpture depicting an Aboriginal elder and Aboriginal child to verso. Height 35 cm (some cracks and chips and repairs but overall very sound)

Ricketts, William (1898-1993), in fired clay appearing as stone,…

Aboriginal Elder with Children

Ricketts, William (1898-1993), in fired clay appearing as stone, and depicting the finely rendered figure of an aboriginal elder holding three children; with faint inscription underside and also signature of William Ricketts. Height 22 cm. Width 19 cm.…

William Ricketts (1899-1993) Australia. Aboriginal head.…

Aboriginal Warrior Head Sculpture

William Ricketts (1899-1993) Australia. Aboriginal head. Aboriginal Warriors. Head. Clay sculpture. 25 cm high

William Ricketts, Double sided pottery bust, incised signature.…

Double-Sided Pottery Bust by William Ricketts

William Ricketts, Double sided pottery bust, incised signature. Height 29 cm, width 28 cm, depth 21 cm

William Ricketts double sided portrait sculpture of elder and…

Generations United

William Ricketts double sided portrait sculpture of elder and children, 20 cm tall

Small William Ricketts sculpture of two adolescent Boys, signed…

"Adolescent Boys" by William Ricketts

Small William Ricketts sculpture of two adolescent Boys, signed and Enscribed to base, 8 cm tall

William Ricketts (1899-1993), 'Aboriginal Elder', sculptured…

"Aboriginal Elder" by William Ricketts

William Ricketts (1899-1993), 'Aboriginal Elder', sculptured clay, signed 'Wm Ricketts' on base, 13 x 9 cm

William Ricketts (1899-1993), 'Aboriginal Boy', sculptured clay,…

"Aboriginal Boy" by William Ricketts

William Ricketts (1899-1993), 'Aboriginal Boy', sculptured clay, signed 'Wm Ricketts' inside base, 9 x 9 x 8 cm

William Ricketts (1899-1993), 'Aboriginal Girl', sculptured…

"Aboriginal Girl" by William Ricketts

William Ricketts (1899-1993), 'Aboriginal Girl', sculptured clay, signed 'Wm Ricketts' on base, 14 x 10 cm

William Ricketts (1899-1993), 'Aboriginal Boy', sculptured clay,…

"Aboriginal Boy" by William Ricketts

William Ricketts (1899-1993), 'Aboriginal Boy', sculptured clay, signed 'Wm Ricketts' on base, 15 x 10 cm

William Ricketts (ACT.C 1919-C.1990), an earthenware bird Bath,…

Indigenous Elder Bird Bath with Frogs

William Ricketts (ACT.C 1919-C.1990), an earthenware bird Bath, modelled with indigenous elder within a cavernous surround accompanied by an army of frogs fractured, sectional and with losses 49 cm high approximately

William Ricketts pottery head of a young Aboriginal boy

Aboriginal Boy Pottery Head by William Ricketts

William Ricketts pottery head of a young Aboriginal boy

William Ricketts pottery head of an Aboriginal Elder

Aboriginal Elder Pottery Head by William Ricketts

William Ricketts pottery head of an Aboriginal Elder