Making Connections

Here are two jugs that will look familiar to regular visitors to this blog.  They belong to a Dutch collector called Bart who has graciously agreed that I can share pics with you.  The image, designed by Louis Rhead, is a contentious one as neither I, nor Bart, are sure if it indicates that Rhead worked as a designer for Bishop & Stonier, whether the image was licensed for use by them, or even whether the image was used by the retailer (in this case, the jug is marked as being retailed by Goodyer) who perhaps applied them to B&S blanks.  The tall, thin jug is a regular shape used by Bishop & Stonier and can be found with other coloured examples of this Pre-Raphaelite maiden, dragons, holly hock flowers, rainbow ware stripes and no doubt,   several other patterns that I have yet to come across.  The shape of the smaller jug seems familiar, but I don't have any in my collection, nor in my store of photos from my internet browsing.  I can't be sure then if it was a design that was sold by Bishop & Stonier, or whether it was commissioned specially for Goodyers.  But at the end of the day, it's academic, and what is most interesting to me is that this one designed was re-used in various colourways and on different body shapes.  It is possible that it appears on plates, vases and bowls too.  IF  you have one, PLEASE get in touch!