Slipware Plate with Two Birds by George Fishley Holland | c.1955, Devon Pottery Tradition

Product Description:

A hand-decorated slipware plate by George Fishley Holland, created around 1955 and signed on the reverse. With its confidently painted bird motif and warm earthenware body, this piece reflects a continuation of one of Britain’s most respected pottery traditions.

The Fishley family’s legacy began in the early 19th century with George Fishley of Fremington, North Devon. His grandson, Edwin Beer Fishley, earned admiration for his skill in slipware and was celebrated by Bernard Leach as "the last peasant potter." The tradition was carried forward by Edwin’s grandson, William Fishley Holland, and then by his son George, the maker of this plate.

George Fishley Holland worked in the post-war period, producing honest, characterful pottery that drew from his family's rural Devon roots while responding to the revival of studio ceramics. His earlier works, like this one, pre-date the “DUNSTER” signature he began using from 1959.

This plate, with its freehand decoration and expressive brushwork, stands as a quiet tribute to the enduring values of British folk pottery — individuality, simplicity, and a deep respect for craft.

Its quiet presence and earthy tones also complement interiors with a wabi-sabi, Japandi, or mid-century modernsensibility.

Key Features:

• Slip-decorated earthenware plate by George Fishley Holland
• Made in England, c.1955
• Hand-painted bird motif with confident brushwork
• Signed “Fishley Holland” on the reverse
• Reflects the legacy of the Fishley pottery family of Devon

Size:

(Dia) 20cm

Condition:

In very good vintage condition. No chips or cracks. Subtle glaze variation and brushstrokes are part of the handmade character of the piece. A small original label remains on the back, reading: “638, George Fishley Holland, Earthenware 1955–”.