A look at the design, market and legacy of Victorian pottery

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Wedgwood Pink Shell Pearlware


In 1986 I decided to drive to New Orleans on a whim. While there I did an antique shop hop through the French Quarter in search of majolica. I wandered into a crowded shop that specialized in culinary antiques because I thought I might find some majolica there. Well, they did have some majolica there, some Palissy, but it wasn't the majolica that caught my eye.

In the main room of the shop a large dining table had been set with a huge service of Victorian Wedgwood pink shell pearlware. I had never seen this before and was stunned by its beauty–shells in every shape and size delicately decorated in creamy white, pale yellow, lavender and deep majolica pink. The price of the entire service was many thousands of dollars, far too much for a wandering artist/fledgling antique dealer, but it left an impression that has lasted 24 years.
















Wedgwood oyster plate decorated to match series 
Wedgwood pearl salmon platter

I mention this here because this lovely ware is often confused for majolica. It's easy to see the confusion. It was made during the same Victorian period as majolica. It is marked like Wedgwood majolica from this period with an impressed WEDGWOOD and a date code on an opaque white reverse. Of course it is rich with the pinks and lavenders one sees in majolica. It also finds its way into majolica auctions and majolica collections.

But it is not majolica

It is a particular type of creamware made by Wedgwood during the late eighteenth and nineteenth century called pearlware. It has an opaque white glaze with a very pale blue cast that is decorated after firing with enamels. The shell molds themselves have been in almost continuous use at Wedgwood from the time of Josiah Wedgwood. Majolica has been made extensively in these shapes as have a number of other wares including bone china.
Wedgwood majolica shell plate

Wedgwood bone china Nautilus Collection 

But it is the pink pearlware that captures the heart. Its popularity usually brings majolica-type prices. It also displays beautifully with majolica, particularly turquoise and green majolica.




Wedgwood pearl butter pat




Perhaps you can understand how a full service made such a strong impression on me all those years ago.

So the next time you see some Wedgwood pink pearlware feel free and add some to your majolica collection. I think you'll be glad you did.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Majolica Spotlight: Mustache Cups

Wedgwood St. Louis majolica mustache cup & saucer

One of the first majolica collections I ever saw was a collection of majolica mustache cups. I had never heard of majolica mustache cups before and this collection was just so cool!

In the years since then I have bought and sold many mustache cups and have become aware of how rare these can be. As you might expect, men seem to be the main collectors of this Victorian sub specialty. I've actually never met a woman who cared for them except as a gift for a male friend or relation.

Mustache or moustache cups, for those who are not familiar with them, are a specific type of coffee or tea cup with a special guard to protect a gentleman's mustache from being soiled. They were invented by a British potter, Harvey Adams in the 1860's, but they were actually more popular on the continent than in Great Britain.

They must have been quite a popular novelty in their day though because it appears most major majolica makers made them.

Fielding majolica mustache cup & saucer
Adams & Bromley majolica mustache cup

Wardle bamboo majolica mustache cup & saucer
Forester majolica mustache cup & saucer
Adams & Bromley/Forester majolica mustache cup & saucer


Wardle/Lear majolica mustache cup & saucer

Wardle Fan majolica mustache cup & saucer

Wardle Sunflower majolica mustache cup & saucer

Shorter & Boulton majolica mustache cup & saucer

Samuel Lear majolica mustache cup

Holdcroft pomegranate majolica mustache cup & saucer

Forester majolica mustache cup & saucer

Fielding majolica Ribbon mustache cup & saucer

Fielding Fan majolica mustache cup & saucer
Forester majolica mustache cup & saucer

Fielding majolica mustache cup & saucer

This novelty crossed the pond and found a home at the Etruscan Works as well. The majolica Shell mustache cup has long been one of the most sought after pieces in this wonderful series.

Etruscan Majolica Shell mustache cup & saucer

The good news is that majolica mustache cups have come down in price quite a bit since the economic bust on Wall Street. The bad news is that they have also become more rare. It seems inevitable that the prices will rise again so you should snatch them up while you still can.

For more on mustache cups pick up collector Glen Erardi's book on the subject, Mustache Cups: Timeless Victorian Treasures from Schiffer.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Etruscan Majolica Lecture


The Phoenixville Historical Society has graciously invited me to give a lecture on Etruscan Majolica at their December meeting. The program will be a slightly revised version of the multimedia presentation I delivered at this year's Majolica Convention in Dallas. There will be a question and answer session following the presentation and there will be copies of my books Etruscan Majolica: The Majolica of Griffen, Smith and Company, Vol. 1&2 for sale at the meeting.


If you're interested in learning about a company you thought you knew everything about, come to Phoenixville Wednesday night December 1, at 7:00. The Historical Society conducts its meetings at the Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust Conference Center located at 564 Nutt Road in Phoenxiville.
Admittance is free and there will be light refreshments served after the talk.
If nothing else, I promise you'll be entertained.