Lot 824: Essexware Leura Aboriginal Mug Vande Pottery Mug

1. Mint. The studio was located at 40 Gladstone Road, Leura adjoining premises occupied by Irene and Gordon Dunstan and their children. Both buildings burned down in the 1957 bush fires and the family returned to England. The ‘pottery factory’ as it was known was active from at least 1951. Some reports suggest as early as 1945. Some grime and very fine scratches. Some minor usage wear under base. Some crazing. (9.5). 2. Near Mint. Some marks around the rim are glaze misses. Looks to be a tiny nick to outer rim edge. Some crazing throughout. In 1948 Samuel Vandesluis arrived in Australia for a second time having worked in Melbourne during the 1920s. He purchased an established pottery and was also able to find a house in Esther Street, Balmoral within months of his arrival. Sam renamed the pottery Vande and it operated at 566 Military Road until 1958. In 1958 he closed Vande Pottery and opened an antique shop called Samuel Vandesluis Gifts at 762 Military Road in Mosman. Vande pottery is relatively scarce and as with many of the small commercial potteries of the 1950s its style is recognizable. Marks include an underglaze handpainted Vande, Australia or Vande both of which can include the designer’s signature such as MEA for Marlene Adams or SZ for Suzie Little. (9.2). Grade: N/A Estimate: $60 - 80