Vintage 1970s Poole Pottery Aegean Sailing Ships Dish – Shape 4, 10"

A striking 1970s Poole Pottery Aegean shallow dish, featuring a dramatic sailing-ship design in black against a wonderfully textured palette of burnt orange, amber and earthy brown.

The bold silhouetted ships and richly mottled glaze are characteristic of Poole's Aegean range, which was introduced in 1970. Developed under Leslie Elsden, Aegean used techniques including silhouette, sgraffito, mosaic, flow-line and carved decoration, with marine subjects forming an important part of the range.

This example is Shape No. 4, the large shallow circular form measuring approximately 10 inches / 25–26 cm. Other documented 10-inch Aegean dishes confirm this form and period.

The reverse carries the Poole England dolphin backstamp, the number 4, the AEGEAN range mark and a handwritten decorator's monogram.

I have not attributed the decorator by name, as I haven't found sufficiently reliable evidence matching this particular monogram to a documented Poole artist.

Maker: Poole Pottery
Range: Aegean
Shape: No. 4
Design: Sailing ships / marine scene
Diameter: Approx. 10 inches / 25–26 cm
Material: Ceramic / earthenware
Colours: Orange, amber, brown & black
Origin: England
Period: 1970s
Backstamp: Poole England dolphin / 4 / Aegean
Decorator: Signed, currently unidentified

Aegean remained in production until around 1980, and its darker earthy palette and experimental decoration make it distinctly different from the brighter Delphis ware that preceded it.

Condition

Vintage pre-owned condition with signs of age and previous display/use where present.

Because Aegean pieces were individually decorated, variations in glaze, colour and surface effects are part of their character rather than manufacturing uniformity.

Please examine all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.