A Look at Hazle Ceramics
Hazle Ceramics was formed in 1990 by artist and founder Hazle Boyles.
The company produce finely detailed ceramics of buildings from the
British High Street. The main collection ‘A Nation
of Shopkeepers’ takes its name from the famous Napolean quote. Hazle took the statement
as a compliment and has produced a range of low relief miniatures that reflect many different
periods of British Architecture and History: Edwardian, Victorian, Georgian, Elizabethan and Tudor.
There is a large range of shops featured including a Chocolate Shop, Pet Shop, Fish & Chips Shop
and Barbers.
A number have been retired already and a secondary market is growing rapidly.
The company has been helped by winning the “best collectable” award and by bespoke commissions
such as for Collect it!, and by the
production of a number of successful limited editions (Pet Shop at Christmas pictured below left). There has been a collectors club since
1994, and a number of the miniatures have been available for club members only. All this has
led to some early pieces going for five to six times their retail cost. If interest continues
the early pieces could become very collectable.
The newest collection ‘Hazle 2000’
celebrates important developments in shopping in Britain over the last 200 years.
The second in the series the Thomas Cook building is pictued top right. The first piece was
a 1954 Back Street Corner Grocer shop celebrating the end of rationing.
The new piece, just released is the first “Sainsbury’s” (1870’s) in Drury Lane, London where
John Sainsbury sold “the best butter in London”.
Each model is hand painted and each is signed by Hazle, so no two models are ever exactly the same.
Hazle actually changed her signature on January 1, 1992 so early signature pieces could become
more sort after. The models are produced from liquid clay poured into the mould and turned
out as greenware. The models are then fired to become bisqueware (biscuitware), and are then
painted, and finally a white powdered glass is added which turns into a transparent varnish
when fired.
The Hazle Collectors Club ‘A Nation of Shopkeepers’ began in 1994 and offers
members a free gift, the chance to purchase club only pieces and subscription
to the club jounal ‘High Street News’. The Club Secretary can be reached at:
Hazle Ceramics, Stallion’s Yard, Codham Hall, Great Warley, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3JT.
Tel: UK +44 (0)1277 220892 / Fax: UK +44 (0)1277 233768. E-mail: [email protected].
