These vases are examples of the earthenware produced by students of ceramicist and woodcarver LJ (Lewis Jarvis) Harvey, who taught pottery at Brisbane’s Central Technical College from 1916 until he retired in 1937, then privately until his death in 1949. He trained more than a thousand potters, making the Harvey School one the largest schools of art pottery in Australia.

Gloria Lovelock began classes with LJ Harvey in 1926 and continued lessons with him until 1941. She would subsequently teach remedial craft work for the Red Cross and be appointed to leadership roles within that organisation. Harvey described Lovelock as one of his best potters – her skills are frequently superior to his own. He supplied templates for many of the vessels his students made, and Daisy vase c.1930s corresponds with Exercise 11.

Dorothy Harvey was an occupational therapist who is thought to have studied with LJ Harvey in the mid-1930s. She exhibited with the Arts and Crafts Society of Queensland, with the Society of Arts and Crafts of New South Wales and at annual exhibitions of the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association where she was awarded several prizes.