Painter and artist in ceramics
William Ruscoe was born at Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England on June 20th 1904, the son of William Ruscoe, potter. After studying art at Stoke-on-Trent under Gordon M. Forsyth he worked as an assistant at Burslem School of Art (1938--1942), serving as instructor in the practical side of pottery at the Royal College of Art (1939--1940). He then became master-in-charge at Stoke School of Art (1942--1944). He married Olga Stanley Harris and the couple moved to Devon, where Ruscoe took up a post as lecturer in the College of Art, Exeter, until his retirement.
He brought the art of making rolled clay figures to a new level of skill and subtlety. His keen interest in glazing techniques led to the creation of some wonderful and colourful finishes to his pottery.
He died at Exeter on September 11th, 1990.
English Porcelain Figures, 1744 to 1848, John A. Tiranti Ltd., London, 1947
A Manual for the Potter, Alec Tiranti Ltd., London, 1948, 1963, other editions: Transatlantic Arts, 1948, Charles T. Banford, Newton Abbot, 1959, Academy Editions/St Martin’s Press, 1973, 1978
Glazes for the Potter, Academy Editions/St Martin’s Press, 1974
Sculpture for the Potter, Academy Editions/St Martin’s Press, 1975
Work in public collections
(9 pots and a small drawing)
Work in private collections
His work features in private collections in the United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand and elsewhere.
- Vase (signed W. Ruscoe), c. 1950 Private collection
- Small pot (signed William Ruscoe, 1966) Private collection
- Clown, unsigned, late 1950s Private collection
- The Nativity (stamped Wm Ruscoe, England) Private collection