Susie Cooper: An Elegant Affair [Paperback]

Bryn Youds (Author), Earl A. Beesley (Author, Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1996

Inventive and varied, the colourful and highly collectible work of Susie Cooper holds up a mirror to the history of decorative arts this century, from the Art Deco '20s to the present day. Like her contemporary Clarice Cliff, Susie Cooper is now seen as one of the most significant innovators in world ceramics, a status reflected both in the prices paid for her work and in numerous exhibitions. This large-format book, published not long after her death at the age of 93, celebrates a lifetime's work of 70 years, illustrating in colour a selection of ceramics from all periods of her career. "Elegance with utility" was Susie Cooper's perceptive description of her work, a phrase which embraces the entire range of her oeuvre, from the dramatic Art Deco lustreware and the whimsical tableware to the adventurous designs for Wedgwood.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Though Cooper is not as well known on this side of the Atlantic, her name was synonymous in Britain with excellence in ceramic design for more than 70 years. Wanting her products to be "both beautiful and useful," Cooper made china, teapots, and figures that display the colors, styles, and trends of the 20th century. Her brilliant designs, all now sought by collectors and galleries, were amazing in their range, from high Art Deco to Egyptian designs for Wedgewood, as well as classical forms, jungle florals, and abstract and whimsical nursery ware. This well-illustrated study of Cooper's vast output?which includes a complete list of patterns, shapes, and forms?was approved by the artist before her death at 92 last year. Despite its soft cover and oversize format, this book is recommended for all design collections.?Joseph C. Hewgley, Nashville P.L.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Susie Cooper, a British potter and a contemporary of the more famous Clarice Cliff, recently died at 92. Her career spanned the period from the art deco twenties to the fifties and beyond, and she is considered highly collectible. This very oversize book features gorgeous color photographs of her dinnerware, teapots, and decorative pieces. Youds' text does an excellent job of covering Cooper's professional life, and for collectors there is a complete documentation of patterns, shapes, and stamps. A solid choice for public libraries where resources on collectibles are in demand. Ilene Cooper

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 1st Ed. edition (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500278881
• ISBN-13: 978-0500278888
• Product Dimensions: 14.5 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,353,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.