Go Ahead, Bake My Clay Trivia Quiz

Answer: Clarice Cliff

Clarice Cliff started her career as an apprentice potter at Shorters Pottery. By 1927 she was head of design at Newport Pottery, also owned by the Shorter brothers. Her work was typical of the Art Deco style, incorporating geometric shapes and bright designs, often in abstract or angular patterns.

She employed a talented team of female painters and every piece of her work was hand painted. The items she produced were popular at the time, especially among those who wanted to have something of the latest fashion in their home, and they have remained popular. Today collectors pay high prices for perfect examples.

Answer: Jasperware

The blue and white wares produced by Wedgwood from around 1775, together with the green and white and black and white wares, are collectively known as Jasperware. After working with a potter for some years Josiah Wedgwood started his own pottery in 1759.

His world famous Jasperware was inspired by the Portland Vase, a Roman cameo glass vase now in the British Museum. He designed the pottery to look as much as possible like cameo glass. Most of the designs he used were based on classical Greek or Roman decoration.

Answer: Northern Ireland

When he discovered his land was rich in clay John Bloomfield set up Belleek pottery, initially as a way of giving employment to people affected by the Irish potato famine. In 1863 the first pieces of the very fine porcelain that came to be associated with the pottery were produced. By 1865 these were so in demand that Belleek was trading internationally.

Despite a shortage of coal for the kilns Belleek managed to survive both World Wars, although they had to change from fine porcelain to everyday earthenware.

After the war a change to electric kilns saw them return to making their world famous porcelain, and by the early 2000s they were employing over 600 people.

Answer: Queen Victoria

Crown Derby started manufacture in around 1756. They soon became noted for their tableware and decorative figurines. The Company expanded in 1770 when they bought the Chelsea pottery, and again in 1776 when they bought Bow porcelain. In both cases all the assets were transferred to Derby. Any pieces by these two factories before their acquisition by Derby are now highly prized. In 1890 Queen Victoria appointed them "Manufacturers of porcelain to Her Majesty" which enabled them to become Royal Crown Derby.

There are many collectors of their work. Some collect the little figurines, like the bird in the picture, others collect the beautifully painted and gilded tableware.

Answer: Royal Doulton

"Bunnykins" was introduced by Royal Doulton in 1934. It was a range of nursery crockery and figures, all based around Mr and Mrs Bunnykins, their children and other rabbits. The art work was all done by Mary Barbara Bailey, the daughter of the general manager of Royal Doulton during the 1930s.

Interestingly she was not a professional designer. She was actually a nun. When it became known that the tableware was used by Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret it instantly became a very popular christening and birthday present.

Answer: Sanitary ware

The company started in 1883, in Stoke-on-Trent, making white tableware, and over the years expanded their range to make patterned, popular, affordable tableware. In the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s their ranges could be found on every High Street and were in most homes.

In 1896 they opened the Trent Sanitary Works for their non tableware products. This produced everything from drainage pipes to toilet bowls, sinks and wash basins. These were durable and low priced, so within the reach of most households.

Answer: St Ives

Bernard Leach started his pottery in St. Ives in 1920. His work was a combination of western and oriental styles, and he is regarded by many as the "Father of British Studio Pottery". His one off pieces are much sought after by collectors worldwide. St. Ives has a reputation as an artistic centre. Sculptor Barbara Hepworth had a home there, and artists have always gone there to paint because of the quality of the light.

Answer: Delftware

Delftware, as this type of ceramic is commonly known, originated in Delft, in Holland. It is typically blue and white, and all manner of items were made. The clay used is a blend of three separate clays, the finished item is then coated with a white tin glaze, and then the blue pattern applied.

This tin glaze started to be used in the early 1600s. The items are prone to chipping around the edges, and when this happens you can see the red of the tin glaze. Similar techniques are used in other parts of Holland and Italy, but Delftware has come to be the generic term for blue and white pottery made by this method.

Answer: Worcester

Doulton and Worcester were both founded in 1750/51, and there is an argument as to which of them is the oldest. Worcester were granted their Royal Warrant, enabling them to become Royal Worcester in 1788 by King George III. They are known for their beautifully painted wares. Birds, various animals, views, they can all be seen decorating luxury tableware, vases and ornaments.

The renowned designer Christopher Dresser did some work for them in the 1860s, and their works are collected worldwide.

Answer: Cow creamers

Cow creamers, as these little jugs are called, became popular in England in the 1700s when they were imported from Holland. By 1740 they were being made in this country, usually in salt glazed earthenware. By the 1760s they were also being made in precious metals.

Many potteries made them and collectors try to get at least one example from each, as well as the precious metal ones. Ceramic ones can be found for quite reasonable amounts of money, but silver ones by noted silversmiths can be very expensive.