McHugh Brothers Pottery

[ McHugh history ]

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Fluid, gemlike greens flowing down into dark pools. Golden-yellows in floating wisps that glow from behind red-browns or deep, flawless blues. These unique ‘atmospheric’ effects were achieved using a remarkable simplicity of means in decorative pottery from the McHugh Brothers firm of Launceston, Tasmania during the 1930s. All pieces shown here date from the early to mid-1930s and bear the incised ‘H. McHugh’ mark in a flowing hand, usually accompanied by the year of manufacture.
    Like its close neighbour, John Campbell’s pottery, McHughs’ produced large amounts of ornamental wares in those years. Much of it was in graceful classical shapes that might have been inspired by the celebrated Nicholson collection of Greek and Egyptian antiquities in Sydney. There were also squat, rounded forms, some reminiscent of Anglo-Saxon or Celtic antiquities. 
     All were decorated in vividly coloured, artfully applied glazes.  Of all 1930s Australian artwares, the McHugh output may have the most identifiable glaze styles. Although there is no sign of brushwork (colours may be daubed, streaked, or allowed to run freely), the overall effect is very expressive.

[ McHugh history ]