Len CASTLE (23 December 1924 – 29 September 2011 ) Born New Zealand 'My best work is when intuition and conscious choice come together successfully.' Len Castle trained as a secondary schoolteacher and started making pottery in 1947. Initially self-taught, he was the first potter to be awarded a fellowship from the Association of New Zealand Art Societies, travelling to St Ives to work with Bernard Leach in 1956-57. He lectured at the Auckland Teachers' College until the early 1960s, before concentrating on making stoneware at Titirangi, New Zealand. Len Castle was an artist in residence at the Gippsland Centre for Art and Design (GCAD).Two piece press moulded ceramic form with glaze wash surface.ceramics, len castle, gippsland campus, jan feder memorial ceramics collection

Robert GORDON Robert 'Andy' Gordon is a potter supplying ceramic wares to stores across Australia as well as exporting to Canada, the U.S.A. and New Zealand. to China. Robert and his wife Barbara started making pottery in 1979 in a tin shed at Gembrook in the Dandenongs, Victoria, which they called the Pack Track Pottery, selling their wares at the St Kilda markets. In 1987, they expanded to purpose-build premises in nearby Pakenham where they are still based today. Wares made at Pack Track Pottery are painted 'Robert Gordon' or 'Gordon' in oxide. Wares made at the Robert Gordon Pottery are stamped 'Robert Gordon Pottery Australia', 'Robert Gordon Pottery Australian Made' or 'Robert Gordon Australia'. Glazed jug with cork stopperrobert gordon, australia studio pottery, ceramics, pack tack pottery, jug

Robert GORDON Robert 'Andy' Gordon is a potter supplying ceramic wares to stores across Australia as well as exporting to Canada, the U.S.A. and New Zealand. to China. Robert and his wife Barbara started making pottery in 1979 in a tin shed at Gembrook in the Dandenongs, Victoria, which they called the Pack Track Pottery, selling their wares at the St Kilda markets. In 1987, they expanded to purpose-build premises in nearby Pakenham where they are still based today. Wares made at Pack Track Pottery are painted 'Robert Gordon' or 'Gordon' in oxide. Wares made at the Robert Gordon Pottery are stamped 'Robert Gordon Pottery Australia', 'Robert Gordon Pottery Australian Made' or 'Robert Gordon Australia'. Glazed jugrobert gordon, australia studio pottery, ceramics, pack tack pottery, jug

Graham WOOD Wartook Pottery was set up in the early 70s by Graham Wood, and was sucessful for nearly 25 years. It then moved to Halls Gap (The Grampians, Victoria), and the name was changed to Jimmy's Creek Pottery in 1998. The pottery conitnued under that name until 2003. when cheap imports hurt the business. Hand thrown ceramic bowl with 'Gum Leaf' design and the words 'pot pouri'. According to decorator Wendy McGuiness all decoration was made and applied by hand - an extremely time consuming activity. Texture to the body of each piece was created by using a piece of coral. Tenmoku glaze was applied to the top of the pieces, with iron oxide to the main body. This was the first of the Wartook range that sold commercially from around 1987 all over Australia. At the height of production Wartook Pottery had 5 employees, including a new wheel potter (who was adept at creating the pieces as Graham had done before). Additional ranges were still hand thrown, but with a floral wreath (slip cast) applied to the top of each pot, as well as a range that used decals for decoration. australian landscape pottery, les macleman, ceramics, landscape, graham wood

Graham WOOD Wartook Pottery was set up in the early 70s by Graham Wood, and was sucessful for nearly 25 years. It then moved to Halls Gap (The Grampians, Victoria), and the name was changed to Jimmy's Creek Pottery in 1998. The pottery conitnued under that name until 2003. when cheap imports hurt the business. Hand thrown ceramic bowl with 'Gum Leaf' design and the word 'sugar'. According to decorator Wendy McGuiness all decoration was made and applied by hand - an extremely time consuming activity. Texture to the body of each piece was created by using a piece of coral. Tenmoku glaze was applied to the top of the pieces, with iron oxide to the main body. This was the first of the Wartook range that sold commercially from around 1987 all over Australia. At the height of production Wartook Pottery had 5 employees, including a new wheel potter (who was adept at creating the pieces as Graham had done before). Additional ranges were still hand thrown, but with a floral wreath (slip cast) applied to the top of each pot, as well as a range that used decals for decoration. australian landscape pottery, les macleman, ceramics, landscape, graham wood

BHS CollectionBendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from Monday, March 3, 2003. Elegant: an Anglican ball debutante set, September 14, 1948. Back row: Brian Ackland, Peter Houston, Bob Burnett, Keith Rollinson, John Moran, Max Jackman, Max McCaig, David Beattie, Bob Kerr, Leith Mitchell, Reginald Runnells, Ronald Watt. Centre row: Jim Murphy, Ian Hamilton, Wilma Kilcullen, Natalia Huggins, Joan Bennett, Valarie Potter, Fay Norris, ''self'', Jean Dewar, Pat Bruechart, Peter Ladd, Arthur Wright. Front row: Pam Wright, Una Manning, Gaymor Beard, Margaret Tuff, Chaperon Mrs O.G. Lowe, Joy Thomas, Norma Ball, Betty Marshall, Norma Bennett. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Graham WOOD Wartook Pottery was set up in the early 70s by Graham Wood, and was sucessful for nearly 25 years. It then moved to Halls Gap (The Grampians, Victoria), and the name was changed to Jimmy's Creek Pottery in 1998. The pottery conitnued under that name until 2003. when cheap imports hurt the business. Hand thrown ceramic bowl with 'Gum Leaf' design and the words 'pot pouri'. According to decorator Wendy McGuiness all decoration was made and applied by hand - an extremely time consuming activity. Texture to the body of each piece was created by using a piece of coral. Tenmoku glaze was applied to the top of the pieces, with iron oxide to the main body. This was the first of the Wartook range that sold commercially from around 1987 all over Australia. At the height of production Wartook Pottery had 5 employees, including a new wheel potter (who was adept at creating the pieces as Graham had done before). Additional ranges were still hand thrown, but with a floral wreath (slip cast) applied to the top of each pot, as well as a range that used decals for decoration. australian landscape pottery, les macleman, ceramics, landscape, graham wood

Graham WOOD Wartook Pottery was set up in the early 70s by Graham Wood, and was sucessful for nearly 25 years. It then moved to Halls Gap (The Grampians, Victoria), and the name was changed to Jimmy's Creek Pottery in 1998. The pottery conitnued under that name until 2003. when cheap imports hurt the business. Hand thrown ceramic bowl with 'Gum Leaf' design and the words 'coffee'. According to decorator Wendy McGuiness all decoration was made and applied by hand - an extremely time consuming activity. Texture to the body of each piece was created by using a piece of coral. Tenmoku glaze was applied to the top of the pieces, with iron oxide to the main body. This was the first of the Wartook range that sold commercially from around 1987 all over Australia. At the height of production Wartook Pottery had 5 employees, including a new wheel potter (who was adept at creating the pieces as Graham had done before). Additional ranges were still hand thrown, but with a floral wreath (slip cast) applied to the top of each pot, as well as a range that used decals for decoration. australian landscape pottery, les macleman, ceramics, landscape, graham wood

Commissioned by George W. Bell, designed by Anthony Harvey. An old gold mining and wine growing district eighteen miles from Melbourne, now notable for its arts, crafts, good food and historic buildings. On the reverse side printed in 8 panels (3 half-folds) advertising for Montsalvat, Eltham; Kutta Mahal Gallery, Warrandyte; Country Art Store, Eltham; Eltham Crafts. Monstsalvat, Eltham; Tantoon native plants and culinary herbs, Eltham; The Claypot, Warrandyte; Research Trading, Research; Potters Cottage, Warrandyte; Graeme Law & Associates Pty Ltd, Kew.. In addition is provided The Shire of Eltham Cenenary 1871-1971 , Centenary Celebrations Programme of events from March through to August 1971.44..8 x 57.5 cm (Four copies) On the reverse side (of one copy only) is printed in 8 panels (3 half-folds) advertising and Centenary Program.eltham, warrandyte, map, advertising, montsalvat, kutta mahal gallery, country art store, the claypot, research trading, potters cottage, graeme law & associates pty ltd, eltham crafts, tantoon, shire of eltham centenary, program

Victoria HOWLETT (b. 1945- ) Born London, United Kingdom Arrived Australia 1946 Victoria Howlett studied Ceramics at RMIT. She lectured at Prahran College for several years before travelling to Canada, The United States of America, Mexico, Africa and England. She began working as a potter full time in 1977, establishing a studio in Melbourne. In 1985 Victoria Howlett won the Stuart Devlin Award, Melbourne. She is a practicing artist in Apollo Bay, Victoria. The ceramic work of Victoria Howlett draws on the Oribe tradition of painted surface designs. During the 1980s, she moved from rounded vessels and lidded jars to the platter as the form to be decorated, using a well-charged brush and slips coloured with oxide. Wheel thrown stoneware jar with dipped and painted glaze decoration. The ceramic works of Victoria Howlett are impressed 'TOR' or painted or incised 'Victoria Howlett'. This work is part of the Jan Feder Memorial Ceramics Collection. Jan Feder was an alumna of the Gippsland Campus who studied ceramics on the campus. She passed away in the mid 1980s. Her student peers raised funds to buy ceramic works in her memory. They bought works from visiting lecturers who became leading ceramic artists around the world, as well as from many of the staff who taught there. Victoria Howlett was a visiting lecturer to the Gippsland Institute of Advanced Education Gift of the artistvictoria howlett, ceramics, gippsland campus, jan feder memorial ceramics collection

Len CASTLE (23 December 1924 – 29 September 2011 ) Born Auckland, New Zealand 'My best work is when intuition and conscious choice come together successfully.' Len Castle trained as a secondary schoolteacher and started making pottery in 1947. Initially self-taught, he was the first potter to be awarded a fellowship from the Association of New Zealand Art Societies, travelling to St Ives to work with Bernard Leach in 1956-57. He lectured at the Auckland Teachers' College until the early 1960s, before concentrating on making stoneware at Titirangi, New Zealand. Len Castle was an artist in residence at the Gippsland Centre of Art and Design c1979.Press moulded bowl. Gift of the artist.ceramics, jan feder, jan feder memorial ceramics collection, len castle, gippsland campus

Contents include short articles and illustrations of historic properties within the municipalities of Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea. Including The Griffin House, Rosehill, Lower Plenty, The Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, St John's Church, Heidelberg, Banyule, Heidelberg, Trestle Bridge, Eltham, Diamond Valley railway, The Shillinglaw Cottage, Eltham, Montsalvat, Old England Hotel, Heidelberg, Eltham Primary School, Mud brick homes, Eltham, Sweeney's Cottage, Eltham, Pound Pend Tunnel, The Gold Memorial, Potter's Cottage, Memorial Tower, Charterisville, Weller's Pub, The Barrel, Eltham, Hassall's Gallery, The Old Bridge, Greensborough, Diamond Valley Shire Offices, Greensborough, St Katherine's Chapel, Yan Yean Reservoir, Mernda Hotel, Mernda Mechanics Institute, Old Barn, Mernda, Parade College, La Trobe University.Hardback with jacket ; 63 p. : ill., maps ; 22cm. diamond valley shire, shire of nillumbik, city of whittlesea, city of banyule, shillinglaw cottage, weller's hotel

August Rietmann 1877-1951 and his wife Frieda 1878-1942 leased the Cottage in 1917 and raised 2 children Stefanie 1918-2006, and William 1920– 1997. August was a Monumental Mason / Potter / Sculptor and he was employed at Corbens Ltd Clifton Hill, to make the War Memorials for many towns post WW1. August purchased the property 1935,and established a pressed concrete business using the cottage as a workshop and storeroom After August died in 1951, William, his son, continued to work in the business from the site until the land was sold to Lewis Co. Ltd Timber Merchants in 1970. Rietman's Landscaping Ltd ,managed by William's family, moved to Bay Road Highett 1953 and later to Carrum. Ray Rietman is the son of William Rietman and grandson of August Rietmann.The Rietman family is an example of the diverse nationalities that lived and worked productively in Moorabbin Shire 1871–1933 , the City of Moorabbin 1934-1994 and continues today in the Cities of Glen Eira, Kingston, Bayside, and Monash. August, a sculptor and stone mason, was employed by Corben Pty Ltd Clifton Hill to carve WW1 Memorials before establishing his own successful masonry business in the Box Cottage during the latter 1920s. After becoming interested in pressed cement casting, he took on apprentices (1930s Depression) and among his products were garden furniture, pots and also street lamp standards, some of which were installed in St Kilda Road. After August’s death in 1951, his family continued the business ‘Rietman’s Landscaping Ltd.’, at Highett and Carrum.Photographs x2 Colour of Ray Rietman, grandson of August Rietmann, at Rietman's Landscaping Ltd. Bay Road Highett c 1990handwritten informationrietmann august, rietman august, rietmann frieda, rietman frieda, stonnington city town hall, war memorials, world war 1 1914-1918, rietman stefanie, rennick stefanie, francis stefanie, rietman william, rietman ray, montford paul, malvern city town hall, box cottage museum ormond, box william, box elizabeth, joyce park ormond, rietman's landscaping pty ltd, bay road highett, macrobertson pty ltd, coleraine soldier memorial 1921, box cottage ormond

This bottle was recovered decades later from a shipwreck along the coast of Victoria. It may have been amongst the ship's cargo, its provisions or amongst a passenger's personal luggage. It is now part of the John Chance collection. Stoneware bottles similar to this one were in common use during the mid-to-late 19th century. They were used to store and transport. The bottles were handmade using either a potter's wheel or in moulds such as a plaster mould, which gave the bottles uniformity in size and shape. The bottle would then be fired and glazed in a hot kiln. Makers often identified their bottles with the impression of a small symbol or adding a colour to the mouth. The manufacturer often stamped their bottles with their name and logo, and sometimes a message that the bottle remained their property and should be returned to them. The bottles could then be cleaned and refilled.This stoneware bottle is historically significant for its manufacture and use in the late 19th to the early 20th century. The bottle is also significant as it was recovered by John Chance, a diver, from a wreck on the coast of Victoria in the 1960s-70s. Items that come from several wrecks along Victoria's coast have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value.Bottle, salt glazed stoneware, beige, discolouration above base.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, john chance, artefact, stoneware, ironstone, pottery, bottle, antique bottle

Viola Annie McVicars (1911–1990) was born in Korumburra on 29 April 1911. At the age of 21, she married William John Ayling (1909–1995). After their marriage in 1932, they moved to Kew, initially to 81 Tennyson Street, and later to 180 Pakington Street. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter, creating her ceramics at her home in Pakington Street, where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. Following her death in 1990, her studio pottery passed to her daughter, and following the daughter’s death, to her granddaughter. This piece of glazed earthenware is part of a collection of 15 functional and decorative ceramic items donated by Viola’s granddaughter to the collection in 2024.A handmade lamp base, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.Handmade lamp base, irregularly ridged with applied green and yellow glazes. The lamp base has a hole for a cord above the foot.Signature to base: "V. Ayling"ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), lamp bases, viola annie ayling, viola annie mcvicars

Dale HICKEY (31 July 1937- ) Born Melbourne, Victoria' Dale Hickey studied design and illustration at Swinburne Technical College, Melbourne, graduating in 1957. In 1968, his work was exhibited in the inaugural exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Southbank site, The Field, which showcased Australian paintings, sculpture and conceptual works. A large-scale retrospective of his work was held at Ballarat Fine Art Gallery in 1988. More recently, in 2008, The Ian Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne presented Dale Hickey: Life in a Box, which brought together 36 key works from the artist’s 40 year career. Dale Hickey lives and works in Melbourne. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.'Apple' by Dale Hickey was part of the 'Imaging the Apple' travelling exhibition which toured from 2004 to 2005. It depicts a red apple with a pale blue and yellow background. Lower Right corner is signed: Dale Hickey 08art, artwork, dale hickey, hickey, apple, fruit, imaging the apple, still life

Viola Annie McVicars (1911–1990) was born in Korumburra on 29 April 1911. At the age of 21, she married William John Ayling (1909–1995). After their marriage in 1932, they moved to Kew, initially to 81 Tennyson Street, and later to 180 Pakington Street. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter, creating her ceramics at her home in Pakington Street, where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. Following her death in 1990, her studio pottery passed to her daughter, and following the daughter’s death, to her granddaughter. This piece of glazed earthenware is part of a collection of 15 functional and decorative ceramic items donated by Viola’s granddaughter to the collection in 2024.A dish, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by the Australian art potter, Klytie Pate.Small, green glazed dish, highlighted with splashes of purple. Five ballerinas in the cavetto surround an undecorated well. The reverse is glazed a lighter green. Spur marks in the foot rim reveal that the dish was supported on stilts in the kilnSignature to base: "V. Ayling"ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), dishes, viola annie mcvicars, viola annie ayling

Viola Annie McVicars (1911–1990) was born in Korumburra on 29 April 1911. At the age of 21, she married William John Ayling (1909–1995). After their marriage in 1932, they moved to Kew, initially to 81 Tennyson Street, and later to 180 Pakington Street. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter, creating her ceramics at her home in Pakington Street, where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. Following her death in 1990, her studio pottery passed to her daughter, and following the daughter’s death, to her granddaughter. This piece of glazed earthenware is part of a collection of 15 functional and decorative ceramic items donated by Viola’s granddaughter to the collection in 2024.Parent file of the items in the Viola Annie Ayling collection of 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s ceramics. This parent file includes digital copies of a photograph of the ceramicist and also of her home at 128 Pakington Street, Kew, in 1951 where she practiced her art.128 pakington street -- kew (vic.), ceramics -- victoria (australia), viola annie mcvicars, viola annie ayling

Viola Annie McVicars (1911–1990) was born in Korumburra on 29 April 1911. At the age of 21, she married William John Ayling (1909–1995). After their marriage in 1932, they moved to Kew, initially to 81 Tennyson Street, and later to 180 Pakington Street. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter, creating her ceramics at her home in Pakington Street, where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. Following her death in 1990, her studio pottery passed to her daughter, and following the daughter’s death, to her granddaughter. This piece of glazed earthenware is part of a collection of 15 functional and decorative ceramic items donated by Viola’s granddaughter to the collection in 2024.A handmade oval footed dish, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.Handmade, earthenware, footed oval dish, covered with a turquoise glaze. The feet, two of which has been repaired, were created from coils that were then luted to the base.The base bears the signature of the artist.Signature to base: "V. Ayling"ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), dishes, viola annie mcvicars, viola annie ayling

Viola Annie McVicars (1911–1990) was born in Korumburra on 29 April 1911. At the age of 21, she married William John Ayling (1909–1995). After their marriage in 1932, they moved to Kew, initially to 81 Tennyson Street, and later to 180 Pakington Street. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter, creating her ceramics at her home in Pakington Street, where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. Following her death in 1990, her studio pottery passed to her daughter, and following the daughter’s death, to her granddaughter. This piece of glazed earthenware is part of a collection of 15 functional and decorative ceramic items donated by Viola’s granddaughter to the collection in 2024.A pair of handmade bookends, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.Pair of hand moulded abstract ceramic wall sculptures with holes and marks of the original wires on the reverse. The front and back are glazed while the interior has been left unglazed. The free-form shapes resemble waves which were initially covered with a white glaze which was then overgrazed in a semi-transparent turquoise glaze. Both pieces are signed by the artist on the reverse.Signature to bases: "V. Ayling"ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), viola annie mcvicars, viola annie ayling, ceramic sculptures

Viola Annie McVicars (1911–1990) was born in Korumburra on 29 April 1911. At the age of 21, she married William John Ayling (1909–1995). After their marriage in 1932, they moved to Kew, initially to 81 Tennyson Street, and later to 180 Pakington Street. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter, creating her ceramics at her home in Pakington Street, where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. Following her death in 1990, her studio pottery passed to her daughter, and following the daughter’s death, to her granddaughter. This piece of glazed earthenware is part of a collection of 15 functional and decorative ceramic items donated by Viola’s granddaughter to the collection in 2024.A handmade vase, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.Wheel-thrown, globular earthenware vase with a fluted neck, The vase has three glazes, its exterior glaze is a mottled greenish black which has dripped onto the foot rim. Internally it is glazed in cream, while the four petalled flowers encased in buds that form the exterior decoration are highlighted in pink, as is the interior of the rim. The base is signed with the artist's signature.Signature to bases: "V. Ayling"ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), vase, viola annie mcvicars, viola annie ayling

Viola Annie McVicars (1911–1990) was born in Korumburra on 29 April 1911. At the age of 21, she married William John Ayling (1909–1995). After their marriage in 1932, they moved to Kew, initially to 81 Tennyson Street, and later to 180 Pakington Street. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter, creating her ceramics at her home in Pakington Street, where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. Following her death in 1990, her studio pottery passed to her daughter, and following the daughter’s death, to her granddaughter. This piece of glazed earthenware is part of a collection of 15 functional and decorative ceramic items donated by Viola’s granddaughter to the collection in 2024.A handmade, reticulated ceramic vase, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.Wheel thrown ceramic vase with the body pierced between the moulded floral exterior. The vase is fully glazed in orange with the glaze pooling in the recessed sections to provide an opaque contrast. The five petalled flowers and leaves extend to the base, which is separately glazed in a paler colour and signed by the artist. Signature to base: "V. Ayling"ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), vases, reticulated containers, pierced work, viola annie mcvicars, viola annie ayling

Viola Annie McVicars (1911–1990) was born in Korumburra on 29 April 1911. At the age of 21, she married William John Ayling (1909–1995). After their marriage in 1932, they moved to Kew, initially to 81 Tennyson Street, and later to 180 Pakington Street. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter, creating her ceramics at her home in Pakington Street, where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. Following her death in 1990, her studio pottery passed to her daughter, and following the daughter’s death, to her granddaughter. This piece of glazed earthenware is part of a collection of 15 functional and decorative ceramic items donated by Viola’s granddaughter to the collection in 2024.A handmade vase, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.Wheel thrown bulbous vase with a narrow neck. Subsequent to potting, the vase has been scraped from head to foot. An overall pink glaze, fading as it has dripped down the exterior has been highlighted with a second irregularly applied green glaze within the ridged surface. The artist has signed the base. Signature to bases: "V. Ayling" ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), vase, viola annie mcvicars, viola annie ayling

Viola Annie McVicars (1911–1990) was born in Korumburra on 29 April 1911. At the age of 21, she married William John Ayling (1909–1995). After their marriage in 1932, they moved to Kew, initially to 81 Tennyson Street, and later to 180 Pakington Street. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter, creating her ceramics at her home in Pakington Street, where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. Following her death in 1990, her studio pottery passed to her daughter, and following the daughter’s death, to her granddaughter. This piece of glazed earthenware is part of a collection of 15 functional and decorative ceramic items donated by Viola’s granddaughter to the collection in 2024.A handmade ewer, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.A handmade eathernware lidded ewer, the exterior fully covered in an olive green glaze, while the interior is glazed in cream The lower section of the body, the spout and the lid reveal the coil work construction technique used, whereas the upper body is smoothed.Signature to base: "V. Ayling"ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), ewers, pouring vessels, viola annie mcvicars, viola annie ayling

Viola Annie McVicars (1911–1990) was born in Korumburra on 29 April 1911. At the age of 21, she married William John Ayling (1909–1995). After their marriage in 1932, they moved to Kew, initially to 81 Tennyson Street, and later to 180 Pakington Street. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter, creating her ceramics at her home in Pakington Street, where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. Following her death in 1990, her studio pottery passed to her daughter, and following the daughter’s death, to her granddaughter. This piece of glazed earthenware is part of a collection of 15 functional and decorative ceramic items donated by Viola’s granddaughter to the collection in 2024.A handmade vase, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.Freeform, heavily-potted earthenware vase, initially covered with a semi-transparent maroon glaze with a secondary green glaze applied over the top and allowed to drip over parts of the ground colour. The interior and foot of the vase are glazed in cream. The artist has signed her name to the base.Signature to bases: "V. Ayling"ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), vase, viola annie ayling, viola annie mcvicars

Viola Annie McVicars (1911–1990) was born in Korumburra on 29 April 1911. At the age of 21, she married William John Ayling (1909–1995). After their marriage in 1932, they moved to Kew, initially to 81 Tennyson Street, and later to 180 Pakington Street. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter, creating her ceramics at her home in Pakington Street, where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. Following her death in 1990, her studio pottery passed to her daughter, and following the daughter’s death, to her granddaughter. This piece of glazed earthenware is part of a collection of 15 functional and decorative ceramic items donated by Viola’s granddaughter to the collection in 2024.A handmade ceramic container, expertly potted and glazed in a style that is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period.Wheel-thrown ceramic container, the interior and exterior fully glazed. Three glazes have ben used to decorate the object. The exterior had an initial glaze in chocolate brown with a second glaze of orange. The interior and the base are glazed in a pale cream colour. The artist's signature is on the base. Signature to base: "V. Ayling"ceramics, containers, pakington street -- kew (vic.), viola annie mcvicars, viola annie ayling