2010 WICA Convention The Boote Brothers and Their Successful Sydenham Shape

Transcription

1 2010 WICA Convention The Boote Brothers and Their Successful Sydenham Shape John Yunginger Ernie Dieringer Bev Dieringer

2 Good morning! I would like to thank the convention chair and the program chair for the opportunity to present this talk. I emphasize that I am only the presenter most of the information contained in the talk, as well as all of the images, have been provided by Ernie and Bev Dieringer, who thankfully are here this morning to back me up, and to whom all questions should be directed following the talk! Finally, I d like to thank the anonymous WICA members who have allowed their pieces to be photographed by Bev and Ernie over the years. Today, you may recognize some of the pieces in your own collection

3 Outline of the Talk Early Burslem potteries The Boote brothers Thomas and Richard Early Boote shapes Primary, Gothic, 1851, and Sydenham Twelve Sydenham imitators

4 The first part of the talk will cover a brief history of the Burslem potteries, in particular, the Boote pottery. The middle part of the talk will cover in some detail the early Boote pieces potted prior to 1855, including two different Primary shapes, a Classic Gothic shape, and the 1851and Sydenham shapes. The last part of the talk will discuss several Sydenham imitator shapes, and will hopefully serve as an introduction to the wonderful display organized by Mary Ann Ulmann.

5 Staffordshire Potteries

6 This drawing is taken from Jean Wetherbee s book and shows the location of the major Staffordshire potteries. The city of Stoke-on- Trent is composed of six distinct towns, including Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton, and Longton, known collectively as The Potteries. This morning, we ll be concentrating on Burslem, where the Boote pottery was located.

7 Burslem White Ironstone Potters (Pre-1855) Boote, T & R Collinson, C & Co Cork & Edge Corn, Edward Edwards, James Hulme & Booth Jones, George Maddock, John Mayer, T J & J Pearson, Edward Pinder, Bourne & Hope Till, Thomas & Sons Venables & Baines Venables, Mann & Co Wood, John Wedge

8 The Bootes operated only one of several potteries in Burslem during the period from 1830 to Many of the names on this list are familiar to white ironstone collectors, while others, such as Collinson, and Pinder Bourne & Hope, are less familiar.

9 View of Burslem Potteries

10 This is a picture postcard view of the Burslem potteries, probably from the late 1800s. This image was kindly provided by Jane Diemer, who located it in the Winterthur Museum archives. Note the several bottle kilns belching smoke.

11 St. Johns Square - Burslem

12 This is a second photo provided by Jane, probably from the same period, showing St. Johns Square in Burslem. Once again, the bottle kilns can be seen in the background.

13 Restored Bottle Kilns

14 Several of the old Staffordshire bottle kilns have been restored. This slide shows the restorations at the Thomas Twyford pottery in Hanley.

15 Ceramica Museum, Burslem

16 For those who have the opportunity to travel to Burslem, this is the Ceramica Museum on Market Place, which presents the history of the Burslem potteries.

17 The Boote Pottery* 1809 Joseph Machin and Jacob Baggaley 1832 Jacob Baggaley and William Machin? Richard Daniel and Thomas Edwards 1842 Thomas Latham and Richard Boote 1850 Waterloo Works purchased from Thomas Edwards 1879 Thomas Latham Boote retires 1891 Richard Boote dies; Thomas s sons Richard and Charles take over the business *Minnie Watson Kamm, Old China, 1951;

18 The history of the Boote pottery varies somewhat, depending on the reference books one consults. This slide shows the history recorded by Minnie Watson Kamm in her 1951 self-published book entitled Old China. I also utilized a website called the potteries.org. The pottery was started by Machin and Baggaley in the early 1800s, with Thomas Latham Boote and Richard Boote assuming ownership sometime between 1832 and In 1850, the Boote brothers purchased the Waterloo Pottery from Thomas Edwards, and during the next 30+ years produced the dinnerware, teaware, and toiletware with which ironstone collectors are most familiar. In the late 1800s the firm was taken over by Thomas Latham Boote s sons.

19 Boote s Primary Shape I

20 We ll now examine three of the earliest documented white ironstone shapes produced by T&R Boote. The soup tureen shown here is an example of the first Primary Shape, which was jointly registered on April 26, 1845 by three different potters T&R Boote, Edward Walley, and Elijah Jones. The drawing of the mark is shown on the right; it says Pearl White China, T & R Boote with the registry date of April 26, This same impressed registry mark has been found on a mulberry vegetable tureen in the Shapoo transfer design. Note particularly the bud-shaped finial, and the handles, for comparison with later shapes.

21 Boote s Primary Shape II

22 The Boote tureen shown here illustrates a second Primary Shape. These tureens have finials and handles that differ from those of the first Primary Shape, but are quite similar to those found later in Boote s 1851 shape. This piece has the impressed Boote marking shown on the right side of the slide.

23 Boote s Classic Gothic Shape

24 A third example is the Classic Gothic Shape, illustrated by this teapot. The same impressed mark is found on this piece. Note that the top of the handle is mounted on the rim of the pot, rather than to the side panel.

25 Boote s Classic Gothic Plate

26 This slide is from the plate book published by Ernie and Bev, and shows the 10-sided Gothic plate itself, along with a drawing that better shows the plate rim.

27 Boote s 1851 Shape

28 That brings us to the Boote s 1851 shape. WICA founding members Jack and Janet Allers were quite fond of the 1851 shape, and their collection was featured in White Ironstone Notes, Vol. 1, No.2. Jack is an expert cabinetmaker, and he built several cupboards and shelves to accommodate their extensive collection in their former home in New York.

29 Boote s Sydenham Shape

30 This photo was published in the same issue of White Ironstone Notes and shows part of Kathy and Tom Lautenschlager s extensive collection of Boote s Sydenham. Tom built this cabinet using plans based on known examples of old cabinetry. Note in particular the several different sizes of serving platters, and the row of eight graduated pitchers on top of the cupboard. This photo includes nearly all known pieces in Sydenham except for the toilet set.

31 Sydenham and 1851 Drawings - I

32 Because 1851 and Sydenham shapes are frequently confused with one another, the next two slides show comparison drawings from the same issue of White Ironstone Notes. Sydenham pieces are on the top, and 1851 pieces are on the bottom. On the Sydenham teapots, cups, and tureens, the panels have incised double lines edging the panels; the panels themselves are petals that are folded back on themselves. The corresponding pieces in 1851 shape have single panel edges, and the petal is not folded back onto itself. The lids of 1951 and Sydenham teapots differ from one another, but are frequently found switched with one another. Sydenham s finial is leaf-decorated, while 1851 s finial is more like a bud. The panels on 1851 lids swoop down in one line, while the Sydenham lids cascade in two steps with a horizontal dividing line between. Syllabub cups in Sydenham are round with panels on the side; 1851 cups are octagonal with panels Plates and dishes in both 1851 and Sydenham shapes were manufactured in round and decagonal shapes. The 1851 plates are so deep that they are often mistaken for soup dishes. I ll show some larger drawings of the 1851 and Sydenham plates in a few minutes. The ladles that accompany 1851 and Sydenham tureens are assumed to be correct, as neither has been found with an identifying impressed mark. Sydenham ladles are rather baroque in shape, while the 1851 ladles are simpler.

33 Sydenham and 1851 Drawings - II

34 Here are drawings of additional pieces in Sydenham and 1851 shape. The Sydenham covered vegetable, sauce, and soup tureens are strikingly different, with an upswept tulip-like contour. Sydenham tureens are thickerbodied, heavy, and were produced in both round and oval shapes. Handles on the Sydenham tureens have a leaf shape potted against the tureen body, and are pulled out into a spiral knob whose flatter sides are decorated with leaves. Handles on the 1851 tureens have a scallop shell-like shape that is pulled out into a spiral knob. The Sydenham and 1851 relish dishes are distinctly different and pose no problem with their identification.

35 Sydenham and 1851 Round Plates Sydenham 1851

36 Here are larger drawings of the round Sydenham and 1851 plate rims. In the Sydenham plates, the ogees are separated by small wedge-like motifs, whereas in the 1851 plates the ogees abut directly to one another. Also, the Sydenham plates have eight divisions, whereas the 1851 plates have twelve divisions.

37 Sydenham and 1851 Decagonal Plates Sydenham 1851

38 Here are larger drawings of the decagonal Sydenham and 1851 plate rims. Both obviously have ten divisions, but the ogees in the Sydenham plates are again separated by the wedge-like motif.

39 Sydenham and 1851 Look- Alike Shapes President Columbia and Paneled Columbia Baltic, Maltese, and Mississippi Dallas Double or Wrapped Sydenham Girard Pearl Sydenham Chinese Sydenham Clementson s Sydenham

40 The last portion of this talk will cover several look-alike shapes produced by other Staffordshire potters. I ve included all the shapes listed by Jean Wetherbee as Sydenham Imitators in Chapter 8 of her last book, plus one or two others. These shapes are listed on this slide. For each shape, I ll list the potter or potters, and then illustrate with drawings or photos how the various shapes either resemble or differ from the Boote 1851 or Sydenham shapes.

41 President Shape Registered by John Edwards on January 30, 1855 and January 5, Shield panels very similar to Sydenham but separated by elongated three-petal motif. Tureens and vegetable dishes were produced in both round and oval shapes, each available in three sizes.

42 The first potter to capitalize on the success of Boote s Sydenham shape was John Edwards of Longton, who registered the President shape on January 30, 1855 and again on January 5, The President shape duplicates the upward-pointing Sydenham shield panels, but separates the top of each shield with a somewhat elongated three-petal motif. Tureens and vegetable dishes were produced in both round and oval shapes, each available in three different sizes. President handles are scrolled, and finials are tight flower buds resting on foliage.

43 Sydenham and President Plates Sydenham President

44 Here are drawings of the plate rims from Sydenham, on the left, and President, on the right, which clearly is different.

45 President Shape Tureens

46 President tureens were produced in both round and oval shapes, each available with plain rims or scalloped rims. All four types of tureens are shown in this photo, along with their ladles.

47 President Toilet Set

48 Here is a photo of a President toiletware set. Note the distinctive squat form of the ewer and the hot water pitcher All pitchers in President shape, including creamers and table pitchers, share this form.

49 Columbia Shape Registered October 29, 1855 by G. W. Read, an ironstone modeler. Shape licensed to 13 British potters. Plates and platters are identical among different potters. But different potters used various finials (apples; flower buds; split pods) and handles.

50 Columbia shape was registered on October 29, 1855 by G. W. Read, an ironstone modeler. The design was so appealing that Mr. Read was able to license its use to at least 13 other British potters.

51 Columbia Shape Potters W. Adams J. May Edward Challinor J. & G. Meakin E. & C. Challinor J. Meir & Son Elsmore & Foster Penman Brown & Co. J. Clementson Pinder, Borne & Hope Joseph Goodwin G. Wooliscroft Livesley Powell & Co.

52 Here is a listing of British potters who were licensed to produce ironstone in the Columbia shape. Note that nearly all of the Elsmore & Forster Columbia pieces are marked as Foster rather than Forster, with the r deleted.

53 Columbia Shape Registered October 29, 1855 by G. W. Read, an ironstone modeler. Shape licensed to 13 British potters. Plates and platters are identical among different potters. But different potters used various finials (apples; flower buds; split pods) and handles.

54 Nearly all pieces of Columbia have round or oval bodies, with borders of the ogee or shield motif, alternating with a small fleur-de-lis. Plates and platters are identical among different potters. However, some potters incorporated the wavy rims seen on earlier Boote Sydenham pieces. In addition, Mr. Read modeled varying finials and handles for the various potters. Thus, finials on Columbia pieces may be apples, flower buds, or split pods. Close-up photos of the various Columbia finials may be found on p.4 of the Spring, 2003 issue of White Ironstone Notes.

55 Sydenham and Columbia Plates Sydenham Columbia

56 Here are side-by-side drawings of Sydenham and Columbia plates that show how they differ, with Columbia incorporating the fleur-de-lis. Columbia plates can also be distinguished from other similar shapes by the split end on the edge that bisects the ogee/shield motif.

57 Columbia by Clementson Sydenham Columbia

58 Next, I d like to show some Columbia pieces produced by several different potters, starting with Clementson, whose three-piece tureen is shown on the right, with a Boote Sydenham tureen for comparison on the left. Both shapes incorporate wavy rims. Note that with Columbia by Clementson, the typical Columbia fleur-de-lis is replaced by a simple arrow shape. Also, the Clementson Columbia finials are flower buds, quite different from the Sydenham finials, but the Clementson Columbia handles are spiral knobs that are quite similar to the Sydenham handles.

59 Columbia by Elsmore & Foster

60 Shown here is a Columbia tureen potted by Elsmore & Foster, along with the October 29, 1855 registry date. The tureen retains the typical Columbia fleur-de-lis, but the flower bud finial is quite similar to the more elongated bud finials seen on Boote 1851 pieces.

61 Columbia by Challinor

62 Shown here is a lovely Columbia tureen by Challinor. The rim is plain, not wavy, and the body is separated into quarters, with lots of heavy embossing. The finial is a lush split pod, and this motif is also incorporated into the top of each handle.

63 Paneled Columbia Inverted narrow panels Chamber sets and tea sets Potted by Elsmore & Forster, Challinor, Wooliscroft, J&G Meakin, and others

64 On some Columbia pieces there are inverted narrow panels, and these pieces are referred to as Paneled Columbia. The teapot on the right nicely illustrates the multiple narrow panels. This shape appears especially on chamber sets and on tea sets, including childs tea sets. Paneled Columbia was produced by several potters, including Elsmore & Forster, Challinor, Wooliscroft, and Meakin.

65 Baltic, Maltese, and Mississippi Shapes Registered October 25, 1855 by an ironstone modeler, D. Chetwynd The identical shape was produced by several different potters Oval, round, and flat panel pieces Panels are upside down Moorish arches Finials resemble short, fat ears of corn

66 As with the Columbia shape, the Baltic, Maltese, and Mississippi shapes were registered by D. Chetwynd, an ironstone modeler, on October 25, All three shapes are identical but were produced by several different potters.

67 Baltic, Maltese, and Mississippi Potters Baltic Shape Maltese Shape T. Hulme E. Corn J. Meir G.Wooliscroft Mississippi Shape G.F.Bowers E. Pearson E. Challinor Elsmore & Forster

68 Baltic is the most commonly encountered shape, being produced by T. Hulme, J. Meir, Wooliscroft, G.F.Bowers, E. Challinor, and Elsmore & Forster. Pieces marked as Mississippi were produced only by E. Pearson, while E. Corn chose Maltese shape for his items.

69 Baltic, Maltese, and Mississippi Shapes Registered October 25, 1855 by an ironstone modeler, D. Chetwynd The identical shape was produced by several different potters Oval, round, and flat panel pieces Panels are upside down Moorish arches Finials resemble short, fat ears of corn

70 These pieces are found in round, oval, and flatpaneled forms. The Sydenham ogee shape on each panel is changed to an upside down Moorish arch. The finials resemble a short, fat, ear of corn with corn stalk leaves. However, handles vary somewhat from potter to potter.

71 Sydenham and Baltic Plates Sydenham Baltic

72 Here is a drawing of a Baltic (or Maltese, or Mississippi) plate edge, with a Sydenham plate edge for comparison. The motifs are quite different.

73 Baltic Shape Chamber Pot

74 Here is a photo of a Baltic chamber pot; I don t know the potter of this particular piece. The inverted Moorish arch panels are shown nicely in this example.

75 Baltic Shape G. Wooliscroft

76 Here is a photo of a four-piece Baltic tureen to illustrate the short, fat, ear of corn finial and the handles. The Moorish arches point downward on the lid, and upward on the tureen body.

77 Maltese Shape E. Corn

78 Here are a Maltese ewer and basin by E. Corn. Some potters included a circumferential ring at the ewer neck, as shown in this piece, while other potters produced ewers without this ring.

79 Mississippi Shape E. Pearson

80 Here is a Mississippi ewer by E. Pearson. This ewer also has the circumferential ring that demarcates the top of the Moorish arch panels.

81 Dallas Shape Dallas shape was registered in the mid-1850s by J.Clementson. Side panels closely resemble those of Boote s Sydenham.

82 J. Clementson registered the Dallas shape sometime in the mid-1850s, and at first this shape was included in the Plate Book and in Wetherbee s books with the Baltic, Maltese, and Mississippi shapes. Although the Moorish arch motif is common to all of these shapes, the Dallas shape closely resembles Sydenham with its upward folded side panels, as shown in this Dallas teapot.

83 Double or Wrapped Sydenham Considered to be the same by Jean Wetherbee. Name is assigned; no known English registry date. All hollow-ware pieces contain the same shield-like panels. Finials on lidded pieces vary from potter to potter

84 In her most recent book, Jean Wetherbee considers Double or Wrapped Sydenham to be one and the same. These names have been assigned by others, as neither shape is listed among the dates for English registry in Jean Wetherbee s book. In their Plate Book, Bev and Ernie state simply that this shape was registered by a modeler sometime during the 1850s. These pieces all share the same shield panels, but finials on lidded pieces may vary among different potters.

85 Double or Wrapped Sydenham Potters Anthony Shaw W. Adams Edward Walley S. Hughes & Son Holland & Green W. & E. Corn John Alcock John Maddock Livesley & Powell T. Goodfellow

86 Jean Wetherbee notes that Double or Wrapped Sydenham pieces were produced by several potters, including Anthony Shaw, Edward Walley, Holland & Green, W & E Corn, John Maddock, Livesley & Powell, and T. Goodfellow. In their Plate Book, Bev and Ernie added W. Adams and S. Hughes & Son to this list of potters, and noted that John Alcock produced identical plates marked as Cora shape.

87 Boote s Sydenham and Double or Wrapped Sydenham Sydenham Double or Wrapped Sydenham

88 Here are drawings of plate rims from Boote s Sydenham and Double or Wrapped Sydenham. As with both 1851 and Sydenham, the Double and Wrapped Sydenham plates were produced in round and polygonal shapes, both being ten-sided.

89 Double or Wrapped Sydenham

90 Here is a grouping of Double or Wrapped Sydenham pieces (ewer, teapot, and tureen) that nicely shows the shield-like panels of this shape. Note also the different finial motifs used on the teapot and tureen. I don t know the potters of these three pieces.

91 Double or Wrapped Sydenham

92 Here is a four-piece double Sydenham soup tureen marked T.Goodfellow that shows the scrolled handles and corn-like finial.

93 Girard Shape Potted by J. Ridgeway Bates & Co. ( ). Shape registered July 30, Girard pieces are not commonly found and have not been featured in WICA newsletters.

94 Another Sydenham imitator is Girard shape, which was potted by J. Ridgway Bates & Co. This pottery was in business only between 1856 and 1858, and the registration date for Girard shape is listed in both the Pitcher Book and the Teapot Book as July 30, Pieces in this shape are difficult to find today. In addition to the Teapot and Pitcher book photographs, Jean Wetherbee s book shows only two pieces, a pitcher and a tureen, and a soap box appeared in the Summer, 2000 issue of WIN.

95 Girard and Wrapped Sydenham Shapes Girard Wrapped Sydenham

96 Here are comparison drawings of plate rims from Girard, on the left, and Wrapped Sydenham, on the right. They are remarkably similar, and could probably be distinguished only by the potter s marks.

97 Girard Shape

98 A three piece Girard shape tureen is shown on the left, nicely illustrating the Sydenham-like shields and tulip lines, finial, and scrolled handles. On the right is a photo of only the tureen liner, which better illustrates the shield panels and the scroll-like motifs on the handles

99 Pearl Sydenham Probably registered by a modeler and then licensed to several potters. Most pieces found today are by J.&G. Meakin, and have gleaming uncrazed surfaces. Other potters of this shape include T. Goodfellow, G. Wooliscroft, and E. Pearson.

100 Pearl Sydenham is another example of a shape that was probably registered by a modeler and in turn was licensed to several potters. Most of the pieces illustrated in Jean Wetherbee s books and in White Ironstone Notes have been produced by J. & G. Meakin. Jean notes that pieces from this potter feature gleaming surfaces that are rarely crazed. Some Meakin pieces in Pearl Sydenham have been marked Paris White Ironstone on the base. Other Pearl Sydenham potters include T. Goodfellow, G. Wooliscroft, and E. Pearson.

101 Boote Sydenham and Pearl Sydenham Plate Rims Boote Sydenham Pearl Sydenham

102 Shown here for comparison are drawings of the plate rims for Boote s Sydenham and Pearl Sydenham. The Boote Sydenham plate has eight divisions, while the Pearl Sydenham has ten.

103 Pearl Sydenham

104 Here are photos of two Pearl Sydenham pieces by J.&G. Meakin. The ewer on the left illustrates how closely the shield panels resemble those of the Boote Sydenham. The tureen on the right illustrates the scrolled handles and finials that were borrowed nearly intact from the earlier Boote Sydenham pieces.

105 Chinese Sydenham Anthony Shaw registered Chinese shape April 7, He later produced pieces in which Sydenham shields were placed over the Chinese body.

106 Anthony Shaw registered his Chinese shape on April 7, 1856, and later added the Sydenham shields over the panels of a Chinese body to produce what we have called Chinese Sydenham. Here is a teapot from Jean Wetherbee s book that illustrates this shape.

107 Clementson s Sydenham

108 It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and here is an example in white ironstone. This teapot is by Clementson, and, except for the finial, is virtually identical to Boote s Sydenham. Not only did Clementson duplicate the shape, they also stole the Sydenham name, which is shown on the right, and reads J.Clementson, Ironstone China, Sydenham Shape. This Clementson shape has not previously been described in the Wetherbee books or in past issues of White Ironstone Notes.

109 Thank you for your attention!

110 Thanks very much for your attention, and we have a few minutes for comments and questions. Please use the microphone so everyone can hear you.