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Here's praying that the cat doesn't like mountaineering up bookcases!

Devil Cat Causes Chaos

Well, our pussy has come home - for a holiday at least. My partner and I were once proud parents to two cats, Curzon and Dax (named after a symbiant alien creature on Star Trek: Deep Space 9 ... yes, we're sad Sci Fi geeks). During a period of several house moves, they went to stay with my parents, where unfortunately, Curzon disappeared. We never found out what had happened to him and were very upset by the incident. After several more house moves and finally ending up in a small, first floor flat with no access to a garden, we thought it would be cruel to confine our remaining moggy indoors and put her up for adoption with a dear friend. She has been there ever since, very content, very spoiled and getting quite fat. Dax has visited us again on occasion when our friend has gone away on hols, but i haven't had quite as much pottery lying around for her to break before now. You can see from the pictures below how one little pussy cat can create so much havoc - she is the Shiva of felines. We have had to cat proof the house and put pottery and porcelain up in areas that we now she can't reach (mainly out of age and unfitness!)

Some of my collection, safely kept behind glass.

Cupid on a cushion

currently for sale on Ebay, starting price $349.99 (£236.22) with six days to go and no bids. I shall be watching this one closely.

Thirsty?

Christies, the famous auction house, sold this lemonade set back in 2002, for over $600. One wonders what it might go for now, six years later with all the turbulence of the financial markets and the up and downs of the £ vs $. But I was encouraged by an expert on last Sunday's Antiques Roadshow (North Wales...the clock man) who said that in times of "recession" - yes, he actually said the "R" word on TV before the watershed - objects of good quality tend to hold their value, and those of lesser quality, don't. Well, i would say from looking at this set, that it should be a safe bet. What a beauty! It's a stunning example of luscious Aesthetic Movement gorgeousness; it's enough to make my throat go dry from having drooled so much.

More Birbeck - this time George Jones

Here are some more examples of the exquisite artistry of William Birbeck for the George Jones company.

Birbeck Bowl

The above dish is by the George Jones company under their Crescent mark. Handpainted by the artist William Birbeck.

And here is another example of the fabulous work of the ceramic painter, William Birbeck, son of the Coalport artist Joseph Birbeck. Although marked with the Oriental Ivory man that simply became a mark for BISHOP, it's also actually a piece from George Jones, after they had taken over the Bishop & Stonier company. Birbeck had worked for George Jones for some time and his painting skills were well known and much admired. From what little I know of this period, he took over as head of design at the BISHOP factory under George Jones ownership. If anyone out there has more info, please do get intouch!

Just Desserts

When Mr Postman walked in to my work this morning, I was delighted to receive a large box. Inside was this glorious dessert service that I have purchased from Vintage Kitsch. The owners of this fantastic online shop contacted me after finding my blog and asked if I would be interested in buying. "Yes!" I said - this pattern was known to me as i have a part coffee set, but that version is not coloured, but is a kind of goldish transfer on ivory body. This service has black and iron red transfer, with gild edges. Curiously, they look very aesthetic movement in style with oriental scenes, but the impressed numbers (which are usually found as date markers) suggest a date of 1905-1912.

Paragon by P.B&S

Currently selling on Ebay, this toilet set of wash jugs and toothbrush holder+tray, modelling in a very unusual shape with the transfer pattern, 'PARAGON', and I want it. But as is the way of Murphy's law, it's abroad (so postage will be hefty), and it's coming up to Christmas so funds are tight. It may just have to be a look and lust moment.

In Hot Water

This is second spoon warmer to be added to my collection - like the other one, it is based on a shell and other marine life. Although it is not marked with the China man mark of Oriental Ivory, I feel certain that it would've been sold as such. I simply love the orange coral shaped handle and the hand painted limpets. One wonders what this might have looked like on a dining table at the turn of the 20th century with a whole dinner service based on sea life - quite amusing, but also quite stunning. How tastes change.

Added to my shelves today

In the post today were two much awaited parcels. The first contained a gorgeous punch bowl, made for Harrods department store in the Falstaff pattern.

The second addition to my collection, was a small, double gourd shaped vase (mould number 37) with a chinese dragon on orange background. It's smaller than I thought it would be, but still delightful and adds to my 1920s chinoiserie art deco set.

Fish and Feather

Much of Powell/Bishop/Stonier's output was utilitarian as it was this that brought home the bacon. Unlike the Victorian factories of Mintons, Worcester, or even Doulton, as a company they were not known for any art pottery, extremely fine porcelain or smart designs (although there were a few). They did, however, produce some wonderfully rich transfer printed designs in a multitude of colourways - many of which were exported abroad. The fish and foul designs found particular success in the USA.

Thanks must go to the Replacments website from which i "borrowed" these images to show you - do take a look at their website and drool - i know i keep going back and looking longingly at their stock. If you can't afford to buy, it is at least, an excellent resource for building your knowledge about patterns.

PATENT

This beautiful little jug (sadly not one of mine) has a lovely mark underneath that shows the design has been Patented by the manufacturer. Why would anyone apply for a patent for a jug - they've been around for millenia, you say. The Patent would not be for the shape of the vessel, or even the pattern design (that's what the design registration diamonds and numbers were for). Patents were taken out on new innovations such as a new type of glaze, or design function (such as a self-closing lid). In this instance, the Patent was taken out by Powell Bishop & Stonier for their new Ivory Porcelain. This is intriguing as it may be that this was the beginnings of the the Oriental Ivory range of earthenware. Further investigation may be needed i suspect to find out whether this new Ivory Porcelain continued in production under that name, or whether it did indeed morph into the Oriental Ivory that is now familiar.

ribbed - for your viewing pleasure

This jug would originally have been part of a toilet set - comprising at least of a jug, wash bowl, soap dish, toothbrush holder. It's pattern name is Cyprus and is part of the Oriental Ivory range. I think the colours sit beautifully in a contemporary interior design scheme. Wash jugs like this are wonderful for displaying large, rustic flower bouquets because they have such wide neck openings.