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

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, abstract figurative sculpture, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.

Hand modelled ceramic sculpture of a Madonna and Child figural group. The abstract figures are fully covered in an olive green overglaze, apart from the base which is overglazed in cream. The base has an incised spiral beneath the glaze, which was used to decorate the hidden surfaces of a number of pieces, The base is signed with the artist's name around the edge.

Signature to base: "V. Ayling"

ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), sculptures, abstract art, madonnas and child, 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 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.

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 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 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 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 handmade container, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.

Handmade, initially thrown lidded container, with applied decorative coils as decorative elements. The pot has a vibrant yellow glazed ground with highlighting in green glaze. The underneath of the separate lid continues the circular design with an incised spiral design. The base is signed with the signature of the artist.

Signature to base: "V. Ayling"

ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), containers, 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 dish, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.

Hand thrown earthenware dish, covered with a chocolate brown glaze into which a design on the cavetto and well has been incised. The cavetto has a design of four groups of joined semicircles filled with horizontal and vertical lines. The well includes an abstract representation of a flower. The signed, finely shaped foot and rim are glazed in cream with the artist's signature incised on the base.

Signature to base: "V. Ayling"

ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), dishes, 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 dish, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.

A large, eathernware dish, with a maroon ground and a mottled green and black glaze on the inside of the dish. The petals that form the floral design on the base are highlighted in a pink glaze. Each petal overlaps the rim. The artist's signature is on the base.

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 handmade dish, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Pate.

Hand built deep dish, glazed in maroon and green. The maroon ground includes a splash of green in the centre of the dish. This is the only ceramic piece in the collection that is both signed and dated.

Signature to base: "V. Ayling / 1954"

ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), dishes, 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 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

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 kiln

Signature to base: "V. Ayling"

ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), dishes, viola annie mcvicars, viola annie ayling