An Iconic Treasure from the Queen of Art Deco
This stunning "Water Lily" bowl (also known as the "Lotus Float Bowl") represents the artistry of Clarice Cliff, one of the most celebrated ceramic designers of the 20th century. Created for Newport Pottery and introduced in 1938, this piece exemplifies the naturalistic elegance and innovative design that made Cliff's work internationally renowned and highly collectible.
About This Piece
Clarice Cliff (1899-1972) revolutionized British ceramics during the Art Deco period, becoming one of the first female art directors in the Staffordshire pottery industry. Her bold, modernist designs challenged conventions and brought affordable art into everyday homes. The Water Lily bowl represents a departure from her earlier geometric patterns, showcasing her mastery of organic, naturalistic forms.
This exquisite piece features a sculptural open lily flower with delicate leaves and buds, all rising from a hand-painted water-coloured raised base. The attention to botanical detail combined with the flowing Art Deco aesthetic demonstrates why Clarice Cliff's work remains as desirable today as it was nearly a century ago.
Product Details
Designer: Clarice Cliff
Manufacturer: Newport Pottery, England
Era: Introduced 1938
Origin: English
Style: Art Deco
Model Number: 973
Material: Ceramic with hand-painted glaze
Dimensions: 13cm H × 18cm × 22cm base × 12cm × 17cm opening
Weight: 1375g
Condition
Excellent vintage condition—a rare find for a piece of this age and significance. No chips, cracks, or restoration. Glaze colours remain vibrant and beautifully preserved. Clean crazing typical of ceramics from this era, testament to nearly 90 years of careful preservation. The exceptional condition significantly enhances the collectibility and investment value of this piece.
Care Instructions
Hand wash only with mild soap and warm water. Avoid extreme temperature changes. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. Not suitable for dishwasher. Handle with care.
Perfect For
A significant acquisition for collectors of Clarice Cliff, Art Deco ceramics, or English pottery. Perfect as a striking table centrepiece, displayed with floating flowers as originally intended, or as a sculptural vase or planter. Equally impressive in a curated collection or as a standalone statement piece that brings museum-quality design heritage and timeless elegance to contemporary interiors.
A museum-quality piece that brings the artistry of Clarice Cliff and the enduring beauty of Art Deco design to contemporary living.
Age of an Item
Antique: An item that is at least 100 years old.
Vintage: An item that is at least 20 years old but less than 100 years old and is representative of its era.
Retro: A newer item designed in the style of a past era. It is not from that era but is a modern homage to it.
Condition of an Item
Mint: As new, with no signs of wear.
Excellent Vintage Condition (EVC): Shows minimal signs of wear through use but is not perfect.
Very Good Vintage Condition (VGVC): Shows some signs of age and use but is still in good overall shape.
Good Vintage Condition (GVC): Shows clear signs of wear, use, and age.
Perfectly Imperfect: This is not an official term. We've adopted it for the purposes of The Timeless Edit because we believe damaged items still have value. Our definition of Perfectly Imperfect is if an item has visible damage but remains beautiful as a decorative piece or suitable for use in a different capacity from that for which it was originally designed.
Common Flaws found in Antique and Vintage Items
Crazing: Crazing is the existence of web of fine cracks that only occurs in the glaze layer of Fine Bone China and porcelain. It is a normal occurrence, particularly in older items.
- Clean Crazing: The cracks are clear, without any staining from food, moisture, or other contaminants. Clean crazing can be used as an intentional decorative design element.
- Stained Crazing: This occurs when food particles, bacteria, or other contaminants get into the cracks over time, causing them to darken and become visually conspicuous. Items with stained crazing are not recommended for use with food but are still great for use as a decorative piece or other practical function.
Flea Bite: A flea bite is a tiny, pin-sized chip or nick in the surface of an item. It is a common form of imperfection in older items, especially glass.
Bottom Wear: This is common in older items, especially glass, and is often an indication of age. Wear to the base of an item is caused by everyday use over time and includes scratches, scuffs, shallow chips, flakes, and flea bites.
Chip: chips are considered either shallow or deep. A shallow chip is typically inconspicuous. A deep chip is large enough to be immediately apparent.
Flake: a small and shallow chip which breaks the surface of an item.
Scratch: a mark which compromises the surface of an item, and which feels raised, rough or sharp to the touch. Not to be confused with Straw Marks and marks which can occur during the manufacturing process.
Hairline Crack. This is a narrow and tight break going through glaze and porcelain body and is visible from both sides of the item. It is not always immediately obvious and can be missed on first inspection. Generally, a hairline crack does not affect the integrity of the item.
Water Mark/Stain: patches, ridges, deposits and clouding on glass caused by water left standing in the vessel for a lengthy period. Such stains can’t be removed.
Air Bubbles: Air bubbles in hand-blown glass are a natural result of the traditional glassmaking process, where air becomes trapped in the molten glass during its creation. They are often seen as a sign of authenticity, indicating the item is handmade and unique, rather than a defect. While a small number of bubbles is generally acceptable, a high concentration of bubbles may indicate fragility. There are exceptions though. In some cases, air bubbles are an intentional decorative feature where artists have used specific Molds or techniques to control their appearance. Also, air bubbles are found in Depression Glass due to its mass production method, where the glass was quickly moulded with little concern for perfection. These bubbles are a common characteristic that signifies authentic pieces.
Maker’s Miss: This is an unintentional inclusion or air bubble in the item caused or overlooked by the glass blower or maker in the manufacturing process.
Firing Flaw: This is original flaw cased during the firing process. Examples include pinholes or blisters in the glaze, grit stuck to the glaze, stains caused by an impurity in the porcelain and shrinkage cracks that have opened during the drying or firing process. This is not considered damage.
Straw marks: These are marks on the external surface of glass that look like fine lines or even scratches. They occur when molten glass is cut with shears, and the resulting mark doesn't fully smooth out before the glass cools and sets. They are not considered damage but are instead a common characteristic of old, handmade, or machine-pressed glass. Unlike a scratch, straw marks feel smooth to the touch. Straw Marks are commonly found in Depression and Carnival Glass.
