A few pieces from the collection.
Friends of NMAP (below)
The Friends of NMAP have just held the May meeting at the Museum, and this c. 1952 jug was voted as the most desirable piece on display. It stands 34cm high and is hand decorated with sphinx and ibex by Orpheus Arfaras, while working at the Modern Ceramic Products works in Redfern, Sydney. The jug, which is extremely rare, is featured on the cover of the MPC book, which is available for sale on this webpage. A truly remarkable work of hand decoration, written on the base is: ‘Modern Ceramic Products Sydney, Ancient Greek Rhodian Style, Hand Made by Orpheus Arfaras No 57’
This month's piece from the Collection (above)
This magnificent 19cm diameter coloured salt glazed jardiniere, decorated with Gum and Blackberry leaves was made by Thomas Stevens c. 1895, while working at the Mashman Brothers Pottery works at Willoughby, Sydney, and is impressed in a small circle on the base: ‘Mashman Bros Willoughby NSW.ʼ
The collection is devoted to potters and potteries established between 1788 and 1920, and includes pieces from those who continued after 1920 until they closed.
We are also interested in adding further early Australian pottery pieces to the collection by gift, bequest or purchase.
If you have a piece or pieces you may wish to donate, bequeath or sell please get in touch.