If you've ever stumbled across a clarice cliff sugar shaker at an antique fair or in a tiny corner of a thrift shop, you know exactly how hard it is to look away. There's something about those bold, vibrant colors and those unapologetically funky Art Deco shapes that just grabs your attention and doesn't let go. For a lot of us, these pieces aren't just kitchenware; they're little explosions of personality that somehow managed to survive from the 1920s and 30s.
I've always thought that Clarice Cliff was a bit of a rebel. In a world of dainty, floral Victorian china that looked like it belonged in a dusty parlor, she showed up with bright oranges, deep blues, and geometric patterns that looked like they'd been plucked straight out of a modern art gallery. And the sugar shaker—or "sugar sifter" as the serious collectors often call them—is probably one of the most iconic ways to see her style in action.
Why the Conical Shape is Everything
When you think of a clarice cliff sugar shaker, the first thing that probably pops into your head is that classic conical shape. It's a perfect cone sitting on three little pointed feet, looking a bit like a stylish UFO that just landed on your tea table. It's such a clever bit of design. Most sugar shakers back then were just tall, cylindrical jars, but Clarice (and her team at the Wilkinson pottery) decided that even something as mundane as shaking sugar over your morning grapefruit should feel like an event.
The conical sifter is surprisingly tactile, too. There's a weight to it that feels substantial, even though the porcelain itself isn't overly thick. When you hold one, you can feel the ridges where the hand-painting has been layered on. That's one of the best things about these pieces—you can literally see the brushstrokes. They weren't mass-produced by machines in the way we think of modern manufacturing; they were hand-painted by the "Bizarre girls," a group of young women who brought Clarice's wild visions to life.
Diving into the Patterns
If you're just starting to look into these, the sheer number of patterns can be a bit overwhelming. You've got everything from the super-famous Crocus pattern—with those hand-painted purple, orange, and blue flowers—to the more abstract, avant-garde stuff like Sunray or Moonflower.
Personally, I've always had a soft spot for the Bizarre range. It's exactly what it sounds like. It's loud, it's colorful, and it doesn't care if it matches your curtains. Then there's the Gayday pattern, which is a bit softer but still has that unmistakable Cliff energy. If you're lucky enough to find a sugar shaker in the May Avenue or Appliqué patterns, you're looking at something truly special—and likely quite expensive.
What's really cool is how the pattern wraps around the cone. Because the shape is so specific, the artists had to adapt the designs so they didn't look wonky as they tapered toward the top. It's a bit of a feat of engineering and art combined into one small ceramic object.
The Thrill of the Hunt
Let's be real: finding a genuine clarice cliff sugar shaker in the wild is getting tougher. Back in the 70s and 80s, you could find them for a few pounds at car boot sales because people thought they were "too loud" or "tacky." Oh, how times have changed. Now, a rare pattern on a well-preserved sifter can go for hundreds, or even thousands, of pounds at auction.
If you're looking to start a collection, or even just buy one piece to sit on your mantelpiece, you've got to keep your eyes peeled for the backstamps. Most of these pieces will have "Bizarre by Clarice Cliff" or "Newport Pottery" stamped on the bottom. But even then, you have to be careful. Because they're so popular, there are plenty of fakes and "styles of" out there.
Condition is everything, too. Because of those three little feet, sugar shakers are prone to chipping. If you find one where the feet are perfectly intact and there are no "flea bites" (those tiny little nicks) around the holes at the top, you've found a winner. A bit of crazing—those tiny spiderweb cracks in the glaze—is pretty common for pottery of this age and doesn't always hurt the value, but a big crack or a repaired tip is a different story.
Should You Actually Use It?
This is the big debate among collectors. Do you put your clarice cliff sugar shaker behind glass and never touch it, or do you actually put sugar in it?
I'm a bit of a middle-ground person. I think these things were made to be enjoyed. There's something so satisfying about the "chink-chink" sound of the sugar hitting the ceramic. That said, I wouldn't be using a £500 sifter for my everyday cereal. The problem with using them is that sugar can actually hold moisture, which isn't great for the ceramic over decades. Plus, if you drop it while shaking it over a bowl of strawberries, it's a very expensive mistake.
Most people I know treat them as sculptural pieces. They look incredible when they're grouped together. If you have three or four different patterns in the conical shape, the way the angles play off each other is just stunning. They catch the light in a way that flat plates or bowls just don't.
The Clarice Cliff Legacy
It's wild to think that Clarice started as a "decorator" (basically a low-level worker) and ended up becoming one of the most famous names in British ceramic history. She was a woman in a male-dominated industry, and she didn't just play the game—she changed it.
The clarice cliff sugar shaker is a tiny piece of that history. It represents a time when the world was changing fast, and people wanted their homes to reflect that. It was about optimism and breaking away from the "brown and boring" Victorian era. When you own one, you're owning a bit of that 1930s spirit.
Caring for Your Shaker
If you're lucky enough to own one, please, for the love of all things Deco, stay away from the dishwasher. These pieces are nearly a century old. The paint is "on-glaze," meaning it sits on top of the shiny surface. A harsh dishwasher cycle or a rough scrub with a sponge can take that beautiful Crocus flower right off.
A gentle dip in warm, soapy water and a soft cloth is all they need. And if you're displaying them, try to keep them out of direct, harsh sunlight for 24 hours a day. While the colors are pretty hardy, you don't want to take any chances with those iconic oranges and yellows fading over time.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, a clarice cliff sugar shaker is more than just a kitchen gadget. It's a conversation starter. It's a bit of sunshine on a rainy Tuesday morning. Whether you're a die-hard collector with a shelf full of Bizarre ware or someone who just wants one beautiful object to brighten up a room, there's no denying the appeal.
They remind us that even the most functional things in our lives can be beautiful, weird, and full of life. Clarice Cliff didn't think sugar needed to be boring, and honestly, after looking at her work for a while, I don't think so either. If you ever get the chance to pick one up, do it. You won't regret having a little piece of Art Deco magic in your home.