Fabulous potter is John Macassey from Whitianga Coromandel

The floor pot -


The mark..... this was very difficult to photograph as the glaze had filled in part of it.

I'm certain that we already have this mark, but I can't find it !
High fired stoneware with wax resist.





Found the other post -
http://newzealandpottery.forumotion.net/t485-fabulous-potter-with-unknown-mark

Looks a bit like a phoenix or some other fanciful bird
maybe adapted from a C or E?

Thanks to a pot with the same mark as this that has a name on a sticker on facebook we now know that the name of this potter is John Macassey.  Thanks so much Suzanne!!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/305085572974814/permalink/451057315044305/

I have never come across that name before, has anyone else?  Fantastic stuff !!

I saw that! Was going to post after dinner. Not a name I know either and Mr Google doesn't have a lot to say other than a few references in the National Library:

http://natlib.govt.nz/records/21133779?search%5Bi%5D%5Bcentury%5D=1900&search%5Bi%5D%5Bdecade%5D=1970&search%5Bi%5D%5Bsubject%5D=Pottery&search%5Bi%5D%5Byear%5D=1979&search%5Bil%5D%5Bprimary_collection%5D=Index+New+Zealand&search%5Bpath%5D=items

Thanks so much Cat, I didn't see that but did see his name to do with the Coromandel area. I would like to see more of his work ..... silly natlib !!

Thanks to TonyK I found an item in a 1979 Vol 21/1 New Zealand Potter magazine titled Recent Work that has a photo of a Howard Williams mural for National Mutual's new office in Shortland Street.
A photo of Ley and John Macassey dinner sets exhibited at Topfers Gallery Auckland.
[I have never heard of this Gallery!]
Plus a photo of a Doris Dutch cityscape piece from Alicat Gallery .....

Also an article on page 29 of the same issue titled A Climbing Kiln by John and Ley Macassey Eleuthera Potteries RD Whitianga.

That is a good mystery solved. His work is not uncommon and is always worth picking up and turning over in op-shops. But having not been able to put a name to him means I have often put it back down again. Good work!

That's right I have a mug made by John ...



only a part of his mark shows on the bottom edge of the mug ..

A warm welcome to the Forum John
One of your wine sets has just been listed on Trade Me
http://www.trademe.co.nz/pottery-glass/porcelain-pottery/other-nz-manufacturers/auction-945221586.htm

Gosh! that is a lovely set!

Thought I'd add a new reference for John Macassey and his wife Ley. New Zealand Potter, Autumn 1975 (Vol. 17, No. 1)., pp. 18-20.

This looks like the first article on this quite prolific potting couple.

Important points:
-They began potting full time in 1973 in the Otama forest, six mile north of Whitianga, having come straight from New York
-Inspired by Bryce Stevens [yet another indication that this potter's influence and importance in the development of NZ Studio ceramics is still under-estimated]
-Their pottery was called "Eleuthera", meaning "freedom".
-The kiln was 80 cubic feet, two chambered, oil fired, natural draft, six drip-feed burners.
-John did the potting, Ley the decorating [- like Harry and May Davis]

Will John be kind enough to fill in the gaps since 1975? Hope you have a moment at some stage, and welcome to the site.

John's daughter told me that the mark represents an E inside the sun.
The E stands for Eleuthera.

John Macassey courtesy of the Ferret:

Photos courtesy of the Ferret: