Paul Cardew 'Pond Life' Rare Event Piece | Signed 46 of 56, TP277
Paul Cardew

Paul Cardew 'Pond Life' | Rare 2004 Collectors Club Event Sculpture

A Masterpiece of Animated Ceramic Art: Commissioned exclusively for Collectors Club events in 2003, 'Pond Life' is a breathtaking circular display that captures the vibrant energy of a British water garden. This was never released for general commercial sale, making it an essential acquisition for the serious Cardew connoisseur.

The "Suzy Floozy" Centrepiece: This intricate sculpture is a multi-part masterpiece. The circular base features a lifelike ecosystem of jumping fish, a delicate dragonfly, bullrushes, a frog, and two snails, all set against a base shimmering with genuine Platinum gilding.

The scene is completed by a separate, removable ceramic leaf which carries the iconic 'Suzy Floozy' Duck and her two ducklings. This component fits perfectly into a designated space on the display, allowing the collector to "build" the scene.

Provenance & Rarity:

• Strictly Limited: This is Number 46 of only 56 pieces ever created—an exceptionally small production run even by Event standards.

• Personally Authenticated: Hand-signed and dated by Paul Cardew himself.

• Investment Quality: As an "Event-Only" piece, this sculpture carries a level of prestige and scarcity that far exceeds standard production teapots.

Approx Dimensions:-

13.75 in (35 cm) tall

11 in (28 cm) wide

9.5 in (24 cm) base diam

Paul Cardew 

Master Teapot Maker is a title not everyone is worthy to hold, but Paul Cardew is certainly entitled to. He is no doubt the world's best known designer and producer of novelty teapots. With his exceptional modelling skills and incredible imagination, he and his team created the most marvellous collection of amazing and intricate designs possible. Initially created in his kitchen, he converted his 19th century farmhouse in Devon into a complex dedicated to produce his masterpieces from start to finish, eventually employing a substantial team of talented individuals as the business grew with such popularity. From initial concept, sculpting the idea into 3D, making the moulds, through to three kiln firings, hand painting, adding identifying marks, signatures and limited edition numbers; some of the large teapots could take the skilled team eight days to produce! Some of the teapots are gilded with 18ct gold and silver/platinum. That is dedication to one's art and he is loved all the more for it, his wit, skill and imagination have no boundaries. The teapots come in four different sizes; large, medium (2 cup), small (one cup) and Tiny (the smallest and diddiest of them all as they are approximately 2 inches (5cm) in size and make make perfect Christmas decorations). All but the Tiny teapots are actually functioning teapots, not that you would ever risk using them as they are too precious and works of art; best to be looked at and appreciated in all their glory. In 2008 Paul retired from being a hectically busy teapot designer and so all of his works of art have become far more collectable than ever they were before, some commanding incredibly high prices.

Personally Signed Teapots

Many of the teapots we sell have been personally signed in gold by Paul Cardew himself and will be stated as such in the details. At special events that Paul Cardew held to promote the latest teapot designs, he and other members of his design team that attended also personally signed teapots bought by customers at the event. These team members included Chris Bennett - Design Studio Sculptor, Gary West - Mechanical 3D Sculptor and Tom Johnson - Studio Manager, who signed his signature 'Teapot Tom' and Claire who took over from Tom after he left. Any personally signed teapots are highly sought after, with more signatures the better!