Latest Additions to my Powell / Bishop & Stonier family

 Here are some pics of the most recent additions to my collection.  Above: two examples of the Fujiyama pattern, given different colour treatments (Bishop & Stonier, circa 1920s).  The jug has the added interest that unlike every other example i've come across, it doesn't bear the Bisto Korea Vases mark, just a caduceus.  Below: An Aesthetic P.B&S vase (1880s), decorated in moulded relief with birds, insects and flowers on a tiled texture background.  Not everyone's cup of tea i'm sure, but i'm a sucker for this style of design.

Bishop of Leeds

Forgive the awful pictures, i've 'borrowed' them from an ebay listing to show you something I have never seen before, at least I don't think so.  The reason I say this is that if I saw one in an antiques shop I would probably walk straight by it for two reasons: I really don't like it, it's treacly coloured and ugly; secondly, I would never in   a month of Sundays have thought this was by the Bishop factory.  I know they produced lots of commemorative wares, but this it appears, have something to do the city of Leeds????  The hanging sheep appears in the city's coat of arms, but what this jug is commemorating I don't really know.  Any ideas readers?

John Mcinnis Auctioneers,

John Mcinnis  (Amesbury, USA) have for sale in their March sale, a ten piece dessert service by Powell & Bishop, decorated with beautiful floral centres and pink borders, reminiscent of Sevres.  Take a look.  Even better, take a punt!

Woolley & Wallis

Back in the summer last year, at Woolley & Wallis' (Salisbury) Glass, English & European Ceramics sale, they had for sale, an Aesthetic charger by Powell & Bishop. If you have one in your own collection, do send me a pic.  Well, why the mention?  This is just a little plug really to say that i have consigned three arts & crafts period chargers  to their sale rooms for June this year.  Two of them are chargers which have handpainted designs on P&B chargers (one on a green pottery body, the other on a white).  The third charger is not by P&B, but was retailed by William Mortlock.  I don't know the maker of the charger but it is signed by the artist.  Keep and eye on their forthcoming catalogues to take a look.

Valued on the Strength of Design

The above pair of Aesthetic vases are currently being sold by an online dealership in the USA.  They are a really lovely example of the wares of Powell & Bishop.  The dealer certainly thinks so because they have a hefty price tag of $2200 !  My heart would skip a beat if i thought they really might sell for that kind of money because as you will see in the picture below, I have a pair in a the same shape by this factory, but not the same pattern.  The pattern on the ones above are, i believe, the Mikado pattern, executed in a very lovely gilt and pink coloration on a pale green base with pink legs and bottom - exquisite to my Aesthetic loving mind.. My own pair is decorated with floral sprays in a much more European style with fashionable turquoise and a blush ivory effect.  What is thrilling about finding a pair for sale with such an enthusiastic price tag is that the dealer rates the design so highly that they think it deserves that kind of price, even though they have no idea who made them - or at least, without feeling the need to mention the maker.  Now, I would agree that in this instance, the Mikado pattern is far superior to mine and deserves to sell for a higher price.   But there's hope.

Whilst researching for this blog post, i came across a single vase that sold last year in Australia.  Unfortunately, i don't know if it sold for a good price.  Of course, you always get more for a pair!

Fancy tinny Down Under

If you happen to be in the land Down Under, you could pick up a delight in this Saturday's auction at Elder Fine Art in Adelaide: a pair of Bishop & Stonier wine flagons, or early tinnies.  They are listed as by the Staffordshire factory but I have never seen a pair like them, so perhaps a real rarity.  The oriental style bamboo and flower type design is very of it's period, and much replicated by many Staffordshire makers from the high quality to the very basic.  A quick Google search turned up examples by Brownhill and also Pinder Bourne , used on teapots; i have seen similar designs on plates, vases and bowls.  Hardly a rare pattern, I admit.  But for Bishop & Stonier this is a very unusual shape and they are listed also as Stoneware; again, unusual for this factory.  The auction catalogue description is very sparse and there is no picture of the base markings.  One can't be sure if the auctioneers have done their homework properly so it may turn out that the marking refers to another factory.   So, if you're in the Adelaide area, go and take a look at them in person - you may get a rare bargain.

Autumn, in February?

For the purpose of illustrating this ebay auction, I have 'borrowed' the sellers photo of this wonderful Powell & Bishop jug, decorated with a design called "Autumn".  The seller is in the USA so I shan't be making a bid myself, but good luck to anyone who does.  It's a lovely jug, and I imagine it would perhaps have been part of a set, perhaps of 4 different seasons.

demitasse

Some while ago, I posted pics of a Hong Kong pattern teaset by Bishop & Stonier which a lady named Anne was selling.  She apparently got an enquiry as a result of the blog posting - great result.  Here are some more pieces she's selling - you'll need to contact her for more details of condition and makers etc.

Jill Fenichell

Jill Fenichell  Inc , a porcelain dealer in New York, sells some truly delicious things.  check out the link to see more, including this lush Powell Bishop & Stonier service.

P.B&Co

It seems P&B weren't the only ones who were recycling their wares by using different transfer designs on the same mould shapes.  It appears that P.B&Co  (yes, "Co") were at it too.  Pinder Bourne and Company used the same tactic as their contemporaries at Powell & Bishop.  The common mistake of mis-attributing the two factories just got even more complicated.

Chelsea

I hope this ebay seller will forgive me using their photo, but i hope also they will appreciate me directing you readers to their auction.  This seller in America is selling off a rather large set of Powell Bishop & Stonier (P.B&S) wares in a pattern called Chelsea.  It should do well in the American market as brown transfer printed wares seem to be very collectible on that side of the Atlantic.  Good luck to seller and bidders alike!  there are some lovely pieces on this collection.