In 1924 Susie Cooper began her career at A. E. Gray & Co. in the capacity of house designer whilst qualifying for a scholarship at the London Royal College of Art. Cooper worked with innovative designs including floral patterns, swirls, banding and geometric bold patterns.
Susie Cooper
With the likes of Clarice Cliff and Charlotte Rhead, Susie Cooper is thought of as one of the great lady Art Deco ceramics designers of the 20th century. Susie Cooper was born in Stansfield (near Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire) in 1902 and like Cliff and Rhead went to the Burslem School of Art.
Utilising space at the Wood & Sons Pottery, Susie set up on her own in 1929 based on the strengths of her previous successes in the industry manufacturing primarily earthenware tableware. She moved to the Crown Works, Burslem in 1931 and at about this time made use of techniques such as sgraffito (scratching of the design in the clay) and lithography. The company recovered from a fire in 1942 and were represented at the 1951 Festival of Britain.
Another major fire in 1951 forced Susie to merge with R.H. and S.L. Plant and in 1966 Wedgwood Pottery took over. After spending a period designing at Wedgwood Susie Cooper died in 1994.
The wares designed by Susie Cooper are very collectable today, especially the brightly decorated Art Deco geometric patterns.
Susie Cooper Falcon Breakfast Set advert from 'The Pottery Gazette & Trade Glass Directory & Diary 1939'
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