Before & After

I have added several pieces to my collection over the last few weeks, and strangely enough a couple of them presented an opportunity to discuss the manufacturing processes that go into making a 'before and after'. My first example is a traditional looking jug by the Livesley Powell & Co partnership from the 1860s. The jug on the left shows what the jug looks like with two processes complete: a puce botanical transfer print and green enamel highlighting the raised moulding of oak leaves. When I first saw this jug for sale, I naturally assumed that was the final design, but on inspection of the jug on the right, one can see that another two processes have been added on top to further enhance the design: coloured enamels filling in the transfer print and a copper lustre applied over the green colour of the oak leaves. Now, I suppose one could argue that both are indeed two similar, but in themselves, complete renderings of the designs. It may be that LP&Co did release the jug on the left as a finished product. But my hunch is that it left the factory before all the intended processes were complete, perhaps with a light-fingered decorator.

This next example shows the plain white wares of an aesthetic teaset, and then on the right, complete with its transfer printed design. Curiously and perhaps understandly, the seller of the plain set thought they were from the Art Deco period - probably due to their angular form. It was obvious to me, however, because I already had the transfer printed set, that this was made around 30 years prior to the Art Deco movement's beginnings. What is apparent from the white set is that they have been well used, for despite having no chips or cracks, most of the pieces are tea stained. The transfer set is as clean as a whistle and would undoubtedly have sat in someone's cabinet for much of its life, unused, but much admired (as it is today in my collection).