You've just bought a Clarice Cliff from an antiques fair and are eager to make some money on eBay.  How do you know whether it is genuine or counterfeit? This is a general guide to some of the common pitfalls.

Unfortunately, Clarice Cliff counterfeits are seen on eBay most weeks. They don't get very far as eBay remove them. This guide will help you discover for yourself before the black mark is made against your ID. You will also find out how to complain to your supplier if you have been caught out.

(Page updated 5th July 2006 to include comparisons with genuine items)
(Page updated 11th July 2006 to include link to Susie Cooper counterfeits guide)
(Page updated 10th August 2006 to include an image of a genuine Bonjour shape sauce boat)
(Page updated 18th August 2006 to include the category of corrupted ware)
(Page updated 5th September 2006 to include reproductions described as genuine)

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Crocus and Honolulu

The most commonly found counterfeits are in the Honolulu and Crocus faked design, usually on shapes which have nothing to do with Clarice Cliff. The picture on the bottom left is an example of a Honolulu style fake shaped jug, which has a counterfeit Clarice Cliff backstamp on the base. Compare this with the genuine Honolulu sifter on the right and you will see the difference in the pattern and colours used. Compare also the difference in shape between the genuine Bonjour shape sauce boat above left and the fake shape below left.

Next, an example of a Crocus counterfeit in the same fake shape (left). A genuine Clarice Cliff example is shown on the right. Note the colour differences in both the flowers and the banding. The 'leaves' and flowers themselves are better defined on the genuine item.

The crocus and honolulu painting styles are seen on a number of other shapes, all with a counterfeit backstamp to make you think it's genuine. Counterfeit backstamps are more difficult to spot and should be checked by an expert for confirmation.

It should not be necessary for any expert to charge for this information as it is in the interests of all that these items are identified and destroyed.

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Original Bizarre

Counterfeits of the original geometric Bizarre pattern are showing up in the US and Europe now, not just the UK. They are commonly sold in antique fairs and even car boot sales. Occasionally one finds it's way into auction houses too, they catch out even members of respected trade organisations!

The most common example is shown on a lotus jug which is also counterfeited. You can see if it's a counterfeit shape by the blow hole in the base of the handle. Not all lotus jugs that look like this are counterfeit so ask an expert if you are in doubt. It has become quite hard to get a good price on eBay for one of these originals because the counterfeits are so common.

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Corrupted wares

Clarice Cliff produced a variety of shapes and patterns over a long period of time, and it is difficult for the less experienced collector to recognise every single item of her output. Counterfeit Clarice Cliff backstamps are frequently seen to be applied to non Clarice Cliff items (both dated and modern) and easily catch out inexperienced buyers.

• The original backstamp has been covered over and a counterfeit Clarice Cliff backstamp applied
• The item in question was un-marked and the counterfeit backstamp was opportunistically applied
• The counterfeit Clarice Cliff backstamp was applied to an already marked item leading the unfortunate buyer into thinking that Clarice Cliff may have worked for this company

Application of paint stripper to the mark is an easy way of confirming the backstamp is counterfeit. The paint stripper shouldn't hurt a genuine item but nevertheless DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

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Nurseryware

The Nurseryware items produced on Clarice Cliff were called "From a Child to a Child" and were designs based on drawings by Colley Shorter's daughter Joan at the age of 8. They are hand painted child-like figures. These differ quite significantly from a range of nurseryware transfer designs which are printed in the style of Mabel Lucy Attwell. The transfers are not Mabel Lucy Attwell designs, examples of which are found on Shelley ceramics. They are also nothing to do with Clarice Cliff or the factory she worked for, Wilkinsons. However, these transfer designs are usually applied to plain Clarice Cliff bowls and plates and sold as genuine Clarice Cliff. 8 different transfer designs have been identified.

Below is an example of fake nursery transfers:

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Moulded Ware

Indian Tree

Less lucrative for the counterfeiters, but nevertheless mass produced, is a version of the Clarice Cliff moulded shape "Indian Tree". The mouldings for this are much cruder than the original and the colours used are modern colours. The counterfeit is on the left and the original on the right. There are a number of different shapes in the genuine Clarice Cliff range but the crude application of colour and the crude moulding itself should make it clear that an item is counterfeit.

Swan

The counterfeit swan (below insert) has a lid and bears a counterfeit backstamp. The genuine swan figurine by Clarice Cliff (below main image) has a longer and more arched neck and sits on a base. There is no lid on the original.

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Mass produced shapes

A disturbing area of recently issued mass produced modern shapes has a pattern and decorating style unlike any produced by Clarice Cliff. The paintwork is obviously modern and the backstamps are all counterfeit.

Like any counterfeit, but particularly this one, it is important to trace these back to their origins. Don't put it down to experience if you have ended up with one of these, follow it up and get your money back. And get in touch with your local Trading Standards office. They will want to know about these. Or you can make a complaint on line at the web site of Trading Standards:

consumercomplaints dot org dot uk

More counterfeits

The above is just a a very small selection of Clarice Cliff counterfeits. The registered Clarice Cliff Collectors Club On Line web site has very kindly given space to images of many more including faked patterns on genuine banded and plain dinnerware and faked sifters with fake copied patterns. It is updated regularly. If you have any doubt as to whether you have a counterfeit, take a look at the page which you will find on "Clarice Cliff OnLine"

Fakes/Counterfeits: A pictorial guide
(enter the above phrase in Google)

You may need to register to view the pages, but it is free.

Mis-described Clarice Cliff

It appears that a small number of vendors are describing reproduction Wedgwood and Bradford Exchange items as genuine or original Clarice Cliff. They are achieving impossible amounts as some bidders assume that they are actually original.

See in particular Item number: 260027451618 where the vendor smarty80_8 achieved the sum of £129 for a Wedgwood reproduction sifter without certificate or box making it a seconds. The vendor bought this item for an over-inflated £80 a few days previously Item number: 250021262129.

Other vendors are similarly mis-describing their items as genuine. If you wish to collect original Clarice Cliff before the factory was taken over by Midwinters, then you will be interested to read my guide Authorised Clarice Cliff Reproductions which shows more examples of Wedgwood reproductions.

Below is a backstamp example of the current spate of mis-described Clarice Cliff Wedgwood reproductions.

What to do next

So it turns out you have a counterfeit. Don't panic. If you've bought it through eBay then it's a simple job of getting a refund from your seller through the usual methods. If you have bought it outside eBay, you can get it verified as a counterfeit, and even if it was bought from one of the top UK auction houses, they will have to refund.

The administrators of the registered Clarice Cliff Collectors Club will be able to offer advice and verification. See the eBay forum of Clarice Cliff OnLine. To reach it search on Google:

"Clarice Cliff" +eBay +counterfeit
(enter the above phrase in Google)

Confirmation from The registered Clarice Cliff Collectors Club that you have a counterfeit should be enough to get you a refund. You can also register your complaint on the following web site which is usually enough to encourage your seller to reach an agreement:

consumercomplaints dot org dot uk

In future

Now that you have an arsenal of backup in the form of consumercomplaints and The Clarice Cliff Collectors Club (the uk club not the dot com commercial business owned by 'Age of Jazz Limited') you will surely have the confidence to enjoy buying and selling Clarice Cliff.

If you have been bitten with the Clarice Cliff bug, you will find the latest Clarice Cliff  'bible' is worth more than it's weight in gold - Comprehensively Clarice Cliff by Greg Slater and Jonathan Brough. If you'd rather not take the plunge on the definitive manual there are two handy guides available - The Rich Designs of Clarice Cliff Shapes book and The Rich Designs of Clarice Cliff Pocket Book. Both are available on eBay and from The Clarice Cliff Collectors Club. Much easier to put in your pocket too!!

Good luck and happy dealing

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Clarice Cliff for sale on eBay

More Guides

Clarice Cliff - Genuine or Counterfeit

Listing your auction 'in the style of' Clarice Cliff

Authorised Clarice Cliff Reproductions

New to Collecting Clarice Cliff

The Confusing World of Clarice Cliff
(written by DECODANCE - please see this dealer's shop - DECODANCE)

Susie Cooper Pottery Fakes & Problem Items