Waistel Cooper 1921-2003: Part one
2021 marked the centenary year of artist-potter Waistel Cooper's birth. It seemed fitting that this was the moment The Fine Art Society, with its long history of dealing in decorative and applied arts, acquired a large single owner collection of Waistel's ceramics, with over one hundred pieces dating from the 1950s through to his final years. They were amassed by a resourceful young woman in Edinburgh, who by chance had met the artist in 1956, when he visited her chip shop, and invited her along to his Edinburgh Festival exhibition. She became a life-long friend and collector of Cooper's pots, and her daughter, who also knew the potter well, continued to add to the collection, as have we.
Now, with this unique overview of the artist's oeuvre, it is time to reconsider Waistel Cooper's place in the pantheon of great British artists. Along with the notable potters Hans Coper and Lucie Rie, he instigated a revolution in ceramics, eschewing elaborately decorated Victorian pots in favour of textured, sculptural pieces and pure forms.
In this dedicated exhibition (Part One), we are delighted to hold Waistel Cooper up to the spotlight across both our galleries. There will be a second exhibition (Part Two) later in the year when we will further contextualise his work.
We are very grateful to Piers Davies for his support and expertise, and our profound thanks go to Tim Williams, whose passion for the artist, knowledge and determination to bring Waistel Cooper back into focus, has made this project possible.
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Waistel CooperKidney-shaped pin dish, late 1940sdecorated with a raised cream slip figurative design on blue and green gloss-glazed ground
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Iceland or Merryfield, Porlockterracotta1 x 15 x 11 cm -
Waistel CooperCharger, late 1940sdecorated with a figurative design in orange, brown, blue, yellow and pink slip glazes
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Iceland or Merryfield, Porlockterracotta4.5 x 21 cm -
Waistel CooperCharger, late 1940sdecorated with a signed figure in blue, brown, and green slip glazes on a cream gloss-glazed ground
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Iceland or Merryfield, Porlockterracotta3 x 19.5 cm -
Waistel CooperOval pin dish, early 1950swith an incised female figure in dark brown on a speckled surface
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Merryfield, Porlockstoneware2 x 19.5 x 9 cm -
Waistel CooperBaluster jug , 1950sdecorated with a figurative design in black on a mottled ochre satin glaze
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base, and incised 'Porlock'
Merryfield, Porlockstoneware16 x 13 cm -
Waistel CooperBaluster vase, 1950sdecorated with a black sunburst repeat on a rust surface with vertical sgraffito lines, and an oatmeal gloss-glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Merryfield, Porlockstoneware12 x 11 cm -
Waistel CooperFooted tea bowl, 1950swith a mottled brown satin glaze
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Merryfield, Porlockstoneware10 x 14.5 x 14.5 cm -
Waistel CooperBaluster vase, 1950sdecorated with a sunburst repeat on a rust brown surface, with an oatmeal gloss glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Merryfield, Porlockstoneware17 x 12 cm -
Waistel CooperFooted tea bowl, 1950sdecorated with vertical sgraffito lines on an oatmeal and rust surface, and a speckled oatmeal satin-glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Merryfield, Porlockstoneware7 x 12 cm -
Waistel Cooper, 'Scroll' cup, 1950s
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Waistel Cooper, Cup, 1950s
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Waistel CooperCoffee cup, 1950sdecorated with vertical sgraffito lines on a rust surface, and an oatmeal satin-glazed interior
signed ‘W.’ to the base
Merryfield, Porlockstoneware8.5 x 13 cm -
Waistel CooperLarge baluster vase, 1950s - 1960swith a small lip and satin ash glaze
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Merryfield, Porlock or Culbonestoneware23 x 19 cm -
Waistel CooperBaluster vase, 1950swith an ash green gloss slip glaze
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Merryfield, Porlockstoneware19.5 x 12 cm -
Waistel CooperOvoid trefoil aperture vase, 1950swith a speckled satin ash glaze and firing blush
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Merryfield, Porlockstoneware15 x 18 cm -
Waistel CooperLarge baluster vase, 1960swith a cream slip glaze with blue hints, over fawn glazed base
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware24 x 25 cm -
Waistel CooperBird-form sculpture, c.1955-1965in the form of a 'W' for Waistel, with a rough textured dark rust surface
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Merryfield, Porlock or Culbonestoneware13.5 x 19.5 x 8.5 cm -
Waistel CooperMonumental vase of baluster form, 1960swith a flared lip, and a satin dripware glaze in ash and blacks with manganese
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware31 x 24 cm -
Waistel CooperBaluster vase, 1950swith a rust satin glaze, and an ochre spattered interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Merryfield, Porlockstoneware15.5 x 12 cm -
Waistel CooperRotund vase , 1960sdecorated with carved horizontal bands in rust, on a rough textured cream surface
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware10 x 12 cm -
Waistel CooperDripware baluster vase, late 1960s-1970swith a satin brown glaze and ash-coloured drips
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware15.5 x 13.5 cm -
Waistel CooperBaluster vase, 1960swith a gloss slip glaze in variegated browns with manganese and copper
signed ‘Waistel.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware21 x 18 cm -
Waistel CooperFooted bell bowl, late 1950s-early 1960sdecorated with vertical sgraffito lines on a dark brown and cream surface, and a satin-glazed rust interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware20.5 x 13.5 x 13.5 cm -
Waistel CooperDripware baluster vase, 1960swith a caramel gloss glaze and cream drips
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware20 x 16 cm -
Waistel CooperClam vase, 1960sdecorated with fine vertical sgraffito lines on a rust surface, and an oatmeal satin glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware14 x 20 cm -
Waistel CooperGoblet form vase, 1960sdecorated with vertical sgraffito lines on a mottled rust surface, and an oatmeal satin-glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware15.5 x 7.5 cm -
Waistel CooperClam vase, 1960sdecorated with vertical sgraffito lines on a dark rust surface, and an oatmeal satin-glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware12 x 19 x 11.5 cm -
Waistel CooperSculptural dual-form vase, 1960swith narrow neck, goblet form lip, lugs to the shoulders, a rough textured dark brown surface, and a satin-glazed oatmeal interior with iron spatters
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware36 x 27 cm -
Waistel CooperMonumental baluster vase, 1960swith a narrow neck and flared rim, decorated with carved horizontal bands on a rough textured black and white surface, and a mottled manganese glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware40 x 18 cm -
Waistel CooperTotemic double-form waisted vase, 1960swith a heavily impastoed surface in dark rust and cream
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware31.5 x 11 x 8 cm -
Waistel CooperPedestal tazza form vase, 1960sdecorated with sgraffito lines, on a rough textured cream and dark brown surface, and a heavily impastoed oatmeal and rust gloss-glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware20.5 x 25.5 cm -
Waistel CooperTeardrop-shape vase , 1960swith a textured linear surface in cream and black
signed ‘Waistel.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware31.1 x 18 x 18 cm -
Waistel CooperSculptural dual-form vase, 1960swith narrow neck, a goblet form lip, lugs to the shoulders, and a rough textured black and cream surface
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware21 x 16 cm -
Waistel CooperTall-footed bowl, 1960swith a rough textured black and white surface, and a speckled oatmeal satin-glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware20.5 x 13.5 x 13.5 cm -
Waistel CooperTall conical lamp base with cut shoulders, 1960sdecorated with vertical carved lines, on a rough textured black and white surface
signed ‘Waistel.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware33 x 19 cm (Edinburgh) -
Waistel CooperOvoid 'pebble' vase , 1960swith incised lip and a textured cream and black speckled surface
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware14 x 16 cm -
Waistel CooperMallet form vase , 1960s-1970swith wide flared lip and cut shoulders, decorated with vertical carved lines on a rough textured dark brown and cream surface, and a satin-glazed rust interior with manganese spatters
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware12.5 x 18.5 cm (Edinburgh) -
Waistel CooperGoblet form vase, 1960swith a rough textured rust surface, and an oatmeal glazed interior with manganese spatters
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware22 x 13.5 cm -
Waistel CooperMallet form vase with wide flared rim and cut shoulders, 1960s-1970sdecorated with vertical carved stripes on a rough textured rust surface, and an oatmeal glazed interior with manganese spatters
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware23 x 19 cm -
Waistel CooperFlared-lip baluster vase, 1960s-1970sdecorated with carved horizontal bands on a rough textured dark brown surface, and a gloss-glazed rust speckled interior
signed ‘Waistel.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware14 x 12.5 cm -
Waistel CooperFlared-lip baluster vase, 1960s-70swith a rough textured oatmeal surface, and an ash-green gloss glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware14 x 15 cm -
Waistel CooperRotund vase, 1960s-1970sdecorated with horizontal carved bands to a rough textured dark rust surface
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware12 x 15 cm (Edinburgh) -
Waistel CooperVase, late 1960swith angular cut shoulders and goblet form lip, decorated with diagonal incisions and a rough textured and impacted surface in rust and cream, and a grey satin-glazed interior with manganese spatters
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware16 x 16 cm -
Waistel CooperFlared-lip baluster vase , late 1960s-1970swith carved horizontal bands on a rough textured rust surface, and an oatmeal gloss glazed interior with manganese spatters
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware13 x 15 cm -
Waistel CooperLarge goblet form vase, late 1960swith a rough textured cream and rust surface, and an oatmeal, rust spattered, gloss glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware22.5 x 15 cm -
Waistel CooperFlared-lip baluster vase, 1960s-1970sdecorated with carved horizontal bands on a rough textured oatmeal and rust surface, with a satin-glazed rust speckled interior
signed ‘Waistel.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware13.5 x 15 cm -
Waistel CooperWaisted beaker form vase, late 1960s-1970swith a rough textured rust ground, and a manganese and copper spattered interior
signed ‘W.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware11 x 12.5 cm -
Waistel CooperBaluster lamp base of globular form, 1970sdecorated with a heavily impastoed surface in dark rust and cream
signed ‘Waistel.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware16 x 18 cm -
Waistel CooperBowl, 1970swith carved horizontal bands on a rough textured rust and cream surface, and satin glazed manganese interior
signed ‘Waistel.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware6.5 x 13 cm -
Waistel CooperFlared-lip jug, 1970swith a rough textured rust surface, and a gloss-glazed ash-green interior with manganese speckles
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base, and incised 30/20/50
Culbonestoneware14.5 x 13 x 13.5 cm -
Waistel CooperFooted bowl, 1970sdecorated with carved horizontal bands to a rough textured rust surface, and satin glazed oatmeal and manganese speckled interior
signed ‘W.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware6 x 13 cm -
Waistel CooperA pair of barrel mugs, 1970seach with a rough textured cream and rust surface, and a satin glazed speckled oatmeal interior
signed ‘W.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware10 x 13 x 9 cm -
Waistel CooperLarge baluster jug, 1970swith a rough textured rust surface, and a gloss-glazed rust interior with manganese spatters
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware12 x 17 x 23 cm -
Waistel CooperA pair of barrel mugs, 1970seach with a rough textured dark rust surface, and a satin glazed speckled manganese and oatmeal interior
signed ‘W.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware10 x 13 x 9 cm -
Waistel CooperLarge barrel-shaped mug, 1970sdecorated with carved bands to a rough textured rust and cream surface
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware16 x 12 x 17 cm -
Waistel CooperMonumental vase of baluster form, 1970swith an incised neck and flared rim, and a rough textured rust surface decorated with horizontal carved bands, and an oatmeal satin glazed interior with spattered manganese
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware43.5 x 20 cm -
Waistel CooperTrumpet vase, late 1960s-1970sdecorated with an incised lip and horizontal carved bands, on a rough textured rust surface, and an ash green gloss-glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware28 x 18.5 cm -
Waistel CooperOvoid baluster jug, 1970swith a rough textured rust and cream surface, and an oatmeal satin glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware14 x 19 x 15 cm -
Waistel CooperTall trumpet vase, late 1960s-1970decorated with an incised lip and carved horizontal bands, on a rust and cream textured surface
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware32 x 24 cm -
Waistel CooperLarge baluster lamp base of globular form, c.1968-1972decorated with a textured fern patterning in rust and cream
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
Culbonestoneware22 x 23 cm -
Waistel CooperBaluster lamp base, 1970swith a mottled ash green gloss dripware glaze
signed ‘Waistel.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware16 x 17 cm -
Waistel CooperWaisted beaker form vase, 1970swith a white gloss exterior and interior glaze
signed ‘W.’ to the base
Culbonestoneware9 x 9 cm -
Waistel CooperSmall flared-lip vase, 1980swith a rough textured cream surface, and a satin-glazed interior with iron spatters
signed ‘Waistel.’ to the base
The Barbican Pottery, Penzancestoneware11 x 9 cm -
Waistel CooperApple form vase, 1980sdecorated with circular carved bands to cut shoulders, with a dry white and black surface
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
The Barbican Pottery, Penzancestoneware19 x 29 cm -
Waistel CooperSquat baluster vase, 1980swith a rough textured cream surface
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
The Barbican Pottery, Penzancestoneware15.5 x 18 cm -
Waistel CooperBaluster vase, 1980swith a rough textured cream surface
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
The Barbican Pottery, Penzancestoneware24 x 17 cm -
Waistel CooperBaluster vase, 1980swith wide flared lip on a rough textured cream surface, and an ash blue glazed interior
signed ‘Waistel’ to the base
The Barbican Pottery, Penzancestoneware18.5 x 14.5 cm