Emma-Rose Dade: About Emma

Emma-Rose Dade: About Emma: Emma-Rose Dade is a model maker, animator and photographer. Her background in fine art has given her a strong interest in working with mat...


just came across this artist's blog and like her work

Fake Bisto ALERT!!!

Well, well, well... I never thought i'd see the day, but it had to happen.  Here, for sale, is a bird shaped jug which claims to be by the Bisto factory.  Apart from having a Caduceus type mark, everything else is wrong.  Which is a shame, because I actually rather like it and am even tempted to buy it as an oddity for my collection.  My worry is that 1) someone will buy it and think it is by Bisto and 2) that this is the tip of a titanic sized iceberg of more "fakes" ready to come on to the market.  This piece has a caduceus mark with the letters "E F" so can't really be called a fake, but there may still be the intention to deceive.  Certainly, the seller of this piece has been led into thinking it was by Bisto.  I'll have to do some homework to try and find out more about who did actually make this rather charming bird (is it a Puffin??)

Birds of a Feather

 Here are some truly stunning examples of Arts & Crafts period handpainted porcelain / china, from circa the 1880s.  These recently came up for sale (31st March) in the US at Elite Decorative Arts auctions with a pre-sale estimate of $200-300 each.  They're painted on Bishop & Stonier chargers and  I have two chargers of this type in my own collection, but their subject matter is very different - traditional flower designs.  If anyone has access to Liveauctioneers and can tell me if these chargers sold, i'd be very grateful as the auction house's own website doesn't give a hammer price for them.    I'm parting with my own chargers this summer when they'll be under the hammer at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury.

Baby blues

I have an absolute love of Bisto baby plates and this is a stunning example of Blue  & White design - sailing galleons.  Absolutely charming.

Presentation cups

Powell Bishop & Stonier sold commemorative presentation items, mainly cups and mugs which could be personalized with gild lettering to mark a special occasion or person.  One such example is above and there is currently another for sale on a certain internet auction site.  In one sense, it's sad that they no longer hold sentimental attachment for people and many owners may not have the first clue who the person commemorated was, but they are great for collectors because they are often clearly dated and give a window directly on to a time and place in history.