I am downsizing my collection and included is this fabulous black pottery figure of a woman. Written on the base in script is “Handcrafted in Australia BW 85.

I believe it to be Terra (Australia) but the matching male figure is listed on Ebay for $A119.00 as Ellis Pottery. I am happy to be corrected if I am wrong with my identification.

It is in perfect condition – no cracks, chips, scratches or crazing and measures 17 cm long, 24.5 cm high and approx 6 cm wide. The glaze is fabulous.

Terra Ceramics was originally based in Sydney. It was started by Bernard Fiegel in 1946. Bernhard Feigel was a Dutch-trained potter and Jewish immigrant whose family had fled Germany at the beginning of WW2. He was born in Germany in 1919 and arrived in Darwin in 1939 as a stateless person. After moving to Paddington in Sydney he enlisted for service during WW2.

In 1946, following his discharge, he set up a ceramics business in Ashfield, Sydney, later moving to Greenacre. He produced a variety of ceramic wares using the brands “Terama” and Terra Ceramics” and continued production until the early 1980s. He also taught pottery at Ingleburn” in the Australian Convalescent Depot where he worked with Guy Boyd who had previously worked as a cartographer with John Perceval.

Bernard passed away in 1981. However 12 months earlier he had started negotiations with Trugrit Manufacturing Ltd to have his product made in NZ under licence. A new company, Terra Ceramics NZ was formed, using the same raw materials and clay body. This company was run by Ernie Copper a qualified Ceramicist.

I always package securely and only send at buyer's risk. It is up to the buyer to seek compensation should an item get damaged in transit.

I am happy for the buyer to pick up but prefer payment into my bank account beforehand.