A rather wonderful collision of Cornish pottery and amateur botany.
This petite ceramic lamp was made by Tremaen Pottery, founded by Peter Ellery in Cornwall in the 1960s and later based at Newlyn. Tremaen's work drew heavily on the landscape of West Cornwall, producing pottery with earthy glazes, sculptural forms and a distinctly handmade character.
The compact base has a pleasingly rounded form, somewhere between a bottle and a sea-worn pebble. Its surface is finished in a wonderfully mottled glaze of stone, rust and muted green, with an arrangement of raised abstract forms across the front. There is something almost archaeological about the decoration — part symbol, part machinery, and pleasingly difficult to decipher.
And then there is the shade.
Made from translucent parchment, it contains an arrangement of real pressed flowers, grasses, leaves and seed heads, finished around the upper and lower edges with hand lacing. Unlit, it has the appearance of a miniature botanical collection; illuminated, the parchment turns a rich amber and the dried plants become silhouettes.
We cannot say with certainty that the shade began life with the base, but the pairing feels remarkably natural. The earthy Tremaen ceramic and preserved plant material share the same palette and slightly rustic sensibility. At just 37 cm high overall, it is a particularly charming little lamp — ideal for a bedside table, small side table or somewhere that calls for a pool of warm, atmospheric light rather than anything too imposing.
The lamp has been rewired with a new brass lamp holder and fabric-covered flex, ready for continued use.
A small piece of Cornish pottery with an unusually lovely shade — earthy, botanical and just the right side of eccentric.
Condition
Good vintage condition overall.
The ceramic base presents well with surface variation and irregularities characteristic of its manufacture, together with light signs of age and use.
The vintage parchment shade displays some age-related discolouration, marks and variation in tone. The pressed flowers and foliage show natural fading and deterioration, while the hand-laced edging has light wear. All entirely in keeping with the character of the piece.
The lamp has been rewired with a new brass lamp holder and fabric-covered flex.
Please refer closely to the photographs, which form part of the condition report.
Dimensions
- Height to lamp holder: 26 cm
- Overall height to top of shade: 37 cm
Delivery
Qualifies as a smaller item. UK delivery via insured courier/FedEx at checkout; international shipping available — ask for a quote.
