Val Sparkes Medium Falmouth Fishing Boat Olive Dish

What's for sale?

This is a charming, handmade, earthenware olive dish by British potter Val Sparkes. Its shape takes from the traditional British coastal fishing boats. On both sides is the identification code 'FH36', which is the registration code for Falmouth in Cornwall.

The design echoes the older boats from times gone by and the colours are a nice blend of red, cream and very pale green. These are really nice items, hand-built and hand-painted.

These boats are from her 'All at Sea' range which also featured her shipping forecast designs. While her early designs mainly featured animals and the countryside, her later pieces tended to feature the sea.

Who made it and when?

This was made by the British potter Val Sparkes. She introduced the 'Shipping Forecast' range around 2013, so these would be among the last she produced before her retirement in 2018. Her printed mark on the base reads:

• Handmade
• in England
• by Val Sparkes

What condition is it in?

• New and unused, bought direct from the artist
• In very good condition
• There are several breaks in the clay under the glaze, on the tall structure at the back of the boat

What are the measurements?

• 9cm high (3.5 inches)
• 9cm long (3.5 inches)
• 6.5cm wide (2.5 inches)
• 112 grams

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