From Bulletin 113 October 2001.

 
 


This is an Andrew Stevenson teapot (below) (c.1815-1830) and the impressed mark  (above) is the usual crown surrounded by the legend:
A. STEVENSON STAFFORDSHIRE  WARRANTED.
A series of English views listed as the Rose Border Series has this mark (ref. Dictionary I page 349). However this teapot does not have the Rose Border cartouche (ref. Dictionary I page 308) but simply the under-glaze blue rectangle with the words
Stevensons Stone China.




The pattern on the teapot of children bathing their dog is unknown to us and, although we thought it might have been suitable for miniature or children's pottery, we have been unable to find the pattern anywhere, not even in Noel Riley's Gifts for Good Children, or, indeed, in Milbourn's Understanding Miniature British Pottery and Porcelain. The teapot is 290mm long (tip of spout to outside edge of handle) and 185 mm high. What a joy to find such a well marked piece, probably because it was the main item in the service.

DAVENPORT CHILD'S CUP - from Colin & Patricia Parkes

This children's cup has been identified as Davenport from a shard found in a shipwreck by Alejandro Barnett diving of the coast of Chile. It showed the lower half of the cup which gave enough details of pillars, drover and cattle for the pattern to be recognised, and DAVE as part of a printed cartouche. (see below). It came to FOB via our website, which is undoubtedly a 'first' for the Club. 

                                               

                     



FRANKLIN IN THE NURSERY - from Gerard Ledger  


 

The octagonal daisy-moulded nursery plate, shown above, possibly from Swansea, bears the following rather daunting advice for a child from one of Benjamin Franklin's Maxims: DOST THOU LOVE LIFE THEN DO NOT SQUANDER TIME THERE WILL BE SLEEPING ENOUGH IN THE GRAVE. With the scene set outside a pub, it might have needed some explaining to the unfortunate young reader.

A black printed (probably later) nursery plate, above, bears essentially the same scene except that the sailor in the doorway now seems to be trying to rouse the sleeping boy. On this plate the legend is identified (entitled) DR FRANKLIN'S MAXIMS and takes a longer form, perhaps for greater understanding: "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time for that is the stuff life is made of. The sleeping fox catches no poultry. There will be sleeping enough in the grave." (Interesting that, at this stage, a question crept in. Ed).

[Another nursery plate with the Alphabet impressed around the rim as a border portrays: "The great advocate of temperance FATHER MATHEW" with the legend "May you have grace and strength to keep your promise." Father Theobald Mathew (1790-1856) dedicated his life to saving the poor from drink. He preached in Ireland, London, Manchester, Liverpool and the US. It is recorded that he persuaded 100,000 people in Galway to take the pledge over a period of two days. On the plate in question he is shown holding forth to a group of seemingly mainly women seated around him.]