Violet Mace

Violet Mace (1890–1968), potter, was born at Swansea. In 1920 she joined her cousin Maude Poynter at Ratho, Bothwell, where she learned pottery, and was based until 1940. They exhibited together for many years. Mace also exhibited with the Society of Arts and Crafts of New South Wales (1927–42). She studied at the Cumberland School of Art and Crafts, London and with Bernard Leach in the 1930s.

Mace produced mainly small-scale domestic wares. Earlier wares featured strong colours and painted and incised decoration. Her later work became simpler in form with subdued colours and underglaze decoration that was more stylised. This included geometric designs influenced by Aboriginal art. Mace had a strong interest in Tasmanian history and used aspects of this for her decorative motifs.

Further reading: J Kerr (ed), Heritage, Sydney, 1995; G King, in K Fahy (ed), Australian art pottery 1900–1950, Sydney, 2004; C Miley, Beautiful & useful, Launceston, 1987; P Timms, Australian studio pottery & china painting, Melbourne, 1986.

Glenda King