Clarice Cliff and The Age of Jazz Figures – In the vibrant tapestry of the 1930s, a period effervescent with the innovative beats of jazz, Clarice Cliff’s The Age of Jazz ceramic series emerges as a striking representation of the era’s artistic fervour. This series, infused with the rhythmic essence of jazz music and influenced by the artistic currents of the time, including the work of French ceramicist Robert Lallement and the jazz musician figures for Parisian retailer Robj. We take a look at this iconic series, along with a price guide of realised prices at auction.
The Figures of The Age of Jazz
“The Age of Jazz” collection comprises five distinct figures, each assigned a unique shape number. As the figures were all hand painted there can be variations in colour and pattern, especially on the dancers:
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- Jazz Dancers (Shape 432): This piece captures the dynamic movement of jazz dancers, their bodies entwined in the music’s rhythm, a celebration of the dance floor’s lively energy.
Age of Jazz a rare Clarice Cliff Bizarre table centrepiece Jazz Dancers model no 433. Sold for £9,500 at Woolley & Wallis, October 2018. - Jazz Dancers (Shape 433): Similar in theme to Shape 432, this figure offers another interpretation of jazz dancers, showcasing Cliff’s fascination with the movement and vivacity of jazz-era dance halls.
A Clarice Cliff Bizarre Age of Jazz figure designed by Clarice Cliff no 433. Sold for £7,000 at Woolley & Wallis, October 2023. - Twin Dancers (Shape 434): This figure presents a pair of dancers, possibly a reflection on the syncopated rhythms of jazz, mirrored in the coordinated movement of the dancers’ bodies. This is probably the most impressive of all the pieces due to its size and the variation in colours of the gowns of the two dancing pairs. It is also the figure that achieved the highest prices at auction.
Age of Jazz a rare Clarice Cliff Twin Dancers model no 434. Sold for £15,000 at Woolley & Wallis, March 2018. - Man With A Drum and Saxophone Player (Shape 435): Capturing the essence of jazz percussion, this figure of a drummer in action highlights the central role of rhythm in jazz music, detailed in Cliff’s distinctive style, along with a man playing a saxophone.
Clarice Cliff Age of Jazz igural group modelled as two musicians one playing the drums one the saxophone model no 435. Sold for at £6,800 Fieldings Auctioneers, March 2024. - Man At The Piano and Banjo Player (Shape 436): This ensemble piece features a pianist and a banjo player, immersed in their performance, a nod to the collaborative spirit of jazz musicianship.
Age of Jazz Clarice Cliff Bizarre model no 436 modelled as a Jazz piano player and a banjo player. Sold for £9,500 at Woolley & Wallis, March 2018.
- Jazz Dancers (Shape 432): This piece captures the dynamic movement of jazz dancers, their bodies entwined in the music’s rhythm, a celebration of the dance floor’s lively energy.
Artistic Legacy and Wedgwood Reproductions
Each piece in “The Age of Jazz” series is not merely a static representation but a vibrant echo of the era’s musical and dance energy, immortalized in the vivid colours and dynamic forms characteristic of Clarice Cliff’s work. It’s a homage to the transformative power of jazz, a genre that reshaped cultural landscapes worldwide. In recognition of the timeless appeal and historical significance of Cliff’s “The Age of Jazz” series, Wedgwood has reissued these figures in limited editions of 1,000. These sets are clearly marked so should not be confused with the originals which sell for many thousands of pounds / dollars.
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