Dating BMP by Glaze Colour - Page 2
The period between 1980 and 1985 (up to the bankruptcy) show an explosion of creativity and variety in the lines and glazes.
1984-85 possible - Metropolis Collection - white clay glazed in solid white, grey, pink, black, purple, deep wine red. light blue, dark brown and navy. (Some with red clay and some with white clay base.)
1980 brochure showed a diversity of items available:
Apollo collection (1977 - 80) - lava glaze - white and orange drip over dark brown - a direct copy of the West German pottery of the time.
Native Artists' Collection (1975 ? - 80) - earthy orange with black artwork, matte, pebbled finish.
The glaze was called Native Earth. When the Native Artists' Collection was discontinued, pieces that had been fired to the finished glaze stage, just waiting for the artwork and final firing were sold at the factory store so there are undecorated pieces available.
Paysanne collection - clay cookware.
Etruscan – clayish-tan with black fly-specking – line of vases, jugs, candleholders, etc.
Planters - hanging planters in green and harvest gold, sold with macramé hangers.
La Cuisine - cookware collection in dark brown, black, and off white with light brown speckles.
Catalogue of slate, mocha, green and harvest gold:
1981 - Autumn Mist – deep bluish gray.
1984 - bisque animals with ribbon bows.
1984 – Georgian Bay – cookware and kitchenware – bisque exterior, with glossy brown glazed interior – "Northern Clay Works" and item description printed on exterior.
1985 - Canadian Wildlife Series - white clay – gloss brown, gloss white and dull black glazes - factory applied grey felt on the base - some of these animals were altered slightly and later remade in green. The wolf and the otter may be the most commonly seen.
1986 - 1990 Mountain Blue - medium blue with hints of white drip- sometimes the white has a hint of pink.
2000 - Millennium Collection - White Magic - white clay glazed in high gloss white. Clay & glaze were imported from England.
2000 – Black over red clay. Any piece could be ordered in black, since it required one less step in the glazing process than the blue or the green glazed pieces—but the company needed a month’s advance notice. The pieces in black were made with the understanding that if there were any firing misses, they were still taken by the customer, with "first" prices being paid.
2001 - Pewter.
1997 - 2004 Romar Collection - green and blue.
2002 - 2004 Robert Wilson Collection - green and blue on wood bases - limited editions.
2002 - 2003 Blue Water Collection - green and blue.
2003 – Very vibrant lavender (or heliotrope) that was made and dropped almost immediately – Not catalogued - available only in the factory store.
2003 - New Blue Splash and Green Splash 2003 - 2004 Flame - red.
AND NOW FOR THE INTERESTING BITS......these are glazes that were not (as far as is known now) generally available through the catalogues. The dates are rough estimates based on the bottom marks if present, the type of piece and any other available information. The colour names are descriptive rather than official BMP names.
*** most often found on mini animals.
Reddish brown with light green drip - likely late 50's early 60's - looks like the forerunner of CCC brown, green & yellow but without the yellow.
1952 - 54 solid turquoise blue - also seen is a turquoise with a light blue drip.
1967 - 68 candy stripe - light pastels - pale blue, green and caramel (minis may have been in some catalogues circa 1971). ***
1967 - brown sugar - various shades of ochre, or lighter yellows, sometimes with an orange drip or wash sometimes with a darker brown - seen on studio pieces as well are regular pieces ***Mustard & Ketchup - bright yellow with red or orange spots or drip is likely a variation of this - or vice versa. M & K likely contemporary of Harvest Gold.
1969 - light blue with a light olive green drip - or glazed in the reverse.
Ghost - White with grey drips. (minis may have been available some catalogues circa 1971). ***
Chartreuse - bright green and black - likely also a contemporary of granite.
Dark brown with white drip, usually with flecks of harvest gold in the white - likely contemporary of granite since pieces such as signature jugs have the "flashing" pattern" of the granite pieces.
Dark brown with cream drip very early - likely mid 50's.
1982 - Country Charm - cookware and kitchenware - off white with brown speckles, plain or with transfers (Country Charm Golden Delicious and Country Charm Rose) - accessories like oven mitts, pot holders, tea cozy etc were part of the line.