William George (Gus) and Betty McLaren were a husband and wife team who founded McLaren Pottery in 1945 in Warrandyte, Victoria.
Gus first developed an interest in pottery while serving in the Australian Army during World War II. After the war, he studied at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and then went on to apprentice with some of the best potters in Europe, including Bernard Leach in England.
In 1955, he returned to Australia and set up his own studio. Over the course of his career, he developed a unique style that combined traditional Japanese and European techniques with Australian influences. McLaren's work was highly sought after, and he was recognised as one of Australia's leading potters.
Together, Gus and Betty established a small pottery studio on their property in Warrandyte named Yarraridge Pottery, where they began producing handcrafted ceramic wares using locally sourced clays and glazes. Their early work was heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement and featured simple, functional designs with earthy colours and textures.
Over time, the McLarens developed their own unique style, incorporating bold, graphic patterns and bright colours into their work. They also experimented with new techniques, such as sgraffito (a form of decoration created by scratching through a surface layer of glaze to reveal a contrasting colour or texture underneath).
By the 1960s, McLaren Pottery had gained a reputation as one of Australia's leading ceramic studios, and their work was featured in exhibitions and galleries across the country. They also collaborated with other artists and designers, including the renowned Australian architect Robin Boyd.
Despite their success, the McLarens remained committed to their small-scale, handmade production methods, and their work continued to be highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
Source, Carter's Guide to Antiques.
THIS LISTING
Model Horse
Colour Stone Grey
Production 1960s
Dimensions 28cm (11") tall, 20cm long
Condition Great to excellent with no major wear that we can see. One small chip near the base of one leg, as per the picture.
A wonderful and quite rare ceramic horse figurine, from the company's range of animal figurines from the 1960s. These pieces were produced in a limited numbers and are extremely sought after world wide.
