Putaruru Hand Ceramics – C1978-late 1980s

Putaruru Hand Ceramics was a smallish commercial pottery based in the South Waikato town of Putaruru.  We knew very little about this business until recently, when I was put in touch with a friend of the family.

This post is based on what he told me. 

If anyone out there knows of other people who were involved with Putaruru Hand Ceramics please get in touch.  I would love to talk to one of the family if possible. 

Putaruru Hand Ceramics was established in about 1978/79 by Kay and Tom Jones, and closed in the late 1980s. Peak production was around 1983.  

Kay and Tom set up their new enterprise after health issues forced Tom to give up his job as an electrician.   Kay had an interest in ceramics and hand-throwing, and a commercial pottery was a logical option. 

The factory was based in an unassuming building at 5-6 Neal St, Putaruru.  (Central Motors is at this address now).   It was just off the main intersection with Highway One, not far from the circular Post Office building which is now a food hall. 

All work was slipcast, apart from a very few hand-thrown pieces.  Tom and his brother Ray were very clever self-taught engineers, and they designed and made all the machinery apart from the kilns.  The two commercially supplied electric kilns each fired 200-300 pieces at a time. The couple made their own clay slip, and Kay modelled the shapes and made the moulds. 

Above: Putaruru Hand Ceramics made a wide range of vases.  The example on the right is decorated with embossed vegetation. I have never seen another like it. 

Most ware was retailed through travelling reps who sold on commission.  There was also a small shop at the pottery. Ashtrays and mugs were in high demand.  Many were made for businesses giveaways and had business badges added after they came out of the moulds. There were also vases, some up to 25 cm tall, plus lots of smaller items.  Most were in brown and other muted colours.  Later, a range of pastel glazes was introduced.  All pieces were simply glazed; there was no decoration with decals or hand-brushing.  To our knowledge Putaruru Hand Ceramics never produced plates or other flatware. 

Above: Many businesses commissioned mugs decorated with their commercial logos. 

At first, the ware was marked with the CH symbol which was inscribed by hand on each piece after it had been fettled and checked. Later, an impressed stamp was used. 

Above: later products included a range in pastel-coloured glazes. 

Tom and Kay were the only two regular workers at the factory. Sometimes friends helped out during busy times, and the two children were also involved when school commitments allowed.  

Towards the end of the 1980s, business slowed due to changing fashions and competition from cheaper imports.  The family moved all their equipment into an old goods shed at Omokoroa near Tauranga, but the pottery was never re-established.  Part of the shed was converted into comfortable living quarters and Tom and Kay retired there. Both have since died.

Identifying Putaruru Hand Ceramics

The early mark HC 

Later mark, Hand Ceramics Putaruru

Another variation on the Hand Ceramics Putaruru mark

The Hand Ceramics Putaruru mark is often obscured by glaze

ENDS 

As noted, this post is based on my conversations with friend of the Jones family, who established and owned Putaruru Hand Ceramics.  I would love to find a member of the family who is able to provide me with a bit more detail. If you can help, please get in touch!