A Collector's History of English Pottery


Book Description

This is the fifth revised edition of a standard work of reference which was first published in 1969. It is a remarkable book that effortlessly and enjoyably takes the reader from the earliest pottery extant dating from the first Neolithic period, through the great classical names such as Wedgwood and Spode, Staffordshire and Ironstone to the more readily collectable pottery of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. There are many individual studies of potteries and potters but here Griselda Lewis succeeds in putting this vast array of them into an understandable historical perspective and traces the links in the development of the rich tradition of pottery in England. This book triumphantly succeeds in the most difficult task of all, that of arousing enthusiasm. - this comment by a reviewer on a previous edition of the work neatly sums up one of the main reasons for the book's enduring success. The new edition contains almost three times as much colour as the first edition and benefits from the wealth of research that has gone on in the past twelve years. There is a large section on modern studio potters and commercial wares that will be of particular interest to the contemporary collector. AUTHOR: Griselda Lewis is author of many books on pottery including An Introduction to English Pottery, A Picture History of English Pottery, Prattware (with John Lewis) and A Handbook of Crafts. 175 colour & 173 b/w illustrations




Staffordshire Figures


Book Description

This unique book offers an in-depth look at the cultural, socio-economic, religious, political, and technological conditions that defined the subject matter of Staffordshire Figures. Each chapter is a self-contained study of the potteries, the potters, and various categories of pre-Victorian and Victorian figures including spaniels and other animals, the monarchy, religious figures, children, heroes and rouges, architectural figures and much more. Included are over 550 superb color photographs of Staffordshire figures (some previously unrecorded), and detailed captions with values.




Collectors, Collections and Museums


Book Description

This book presents the first comprehensive study of the collecting, consumption and display of Chinese porcelain in Britain from the 16th to the 20th century, as well as the impact of this activity on British culture. Beginning with the early porcelains acquired as objects of exotica and vessels for the consumption of tea and coffee, followed by porcelains for display in the country house interior, the first part of this book reveals the role of porcelain in Britain's developing economic relations with China and the impact of this material on both daily life and interior design. The subsequent diplomatic and political conflicts of the 18th and 19th centuries provide a framework for an examination of British consumption of Chinese porcelain as both spoils of war and iconic representations of China, material which helped to shape and influence British perceptions of China. The final section demonstrates how these perceptions of China and its porcelain began to change significantly in the 20th century with porcelains acquired as works of art and displayed publicly in museums. Collectors in Britain began to specialise in this area and actively invented a 'field' of Chinese ceramics that was promulgated by learned societies and culminated in the founding of a museum of Chinese ceramics in London by one of the foremost British collectors, Sir Percival David, who donated his world class collection to the University of London in 1950.




Kovels' American Art Pottery


Book Description

Ralph and Terry Kovel are proud to present the most authoritative and current art pottery book on the market, Kovels' American Art Pottery: The Collector's Guide to Makers, Marks, and Factory Histories. After the Kovels began collecting American art pottery in the 1960s, they decided to research and write their first book on the subject, The Kovels' Collector's Guide to American Art Pottery (Crown, 1974). Since that time, art pottery has become one of the most important and popular areas of collecting in this country. Today, many pieces are still very affordable, and collectors everywhere are searching for art pottery treasures. Many other pieces are represented in museum collections, and some pieces are selling for thousands of dollars. The Kovels have never stopped researching the history of art pottery factories and products, and have been continuously gathering new or previ-ously unpublished information from rediscovered catalogs and records, archaeological digs, and family histories. And now, they offer the most com-plete and up-to-date pottery book available, Kovels'American Art Pottery. Written with the collector in mind, this book emphasizes all the information needed for an under-standing of art pottery factories and their wares. The Kovels list large and small art pottery firms and include a general history of each one. Makers, artists and their backgrounds, artists' and factory marks, dates, and lines of pottery are all described in detail. The Kovels discuss the well-known factories such as Rookwood, Weller, and Grueby, as well as the lesser-known or recently recognized potteries such as Avon, Radford, and Zanesville. More than 215 potteries are listed here fromA to Z. There is also a full section on tile factories following the art pottery portion of the book. Kovels' American Art Pottery is extensively illustrated with more than 700 beautiful color and black-and-white photographs of art pottery pieces. Also included are fascinating historical photographs and more than 1,000 illustrations of actual artist and factory marks. The thorough range of photographs and illustrations will enable any collector to identify a piece of art pottery by its decoration, shape, color, or identifying mark. And to complete this valuable reference, a bibliography is provided for all those who wish further information about the historical aspects of a pottery. Kovels' American Art Pottery is an indispensable book for all collectors, dealers, museums, or antiques enthusiasts who wish to know all they can about this exquisite art form.







George Jones Ceramics 1861-1951


Book Description

Ceramic forms produced by British potter George Jones and his firm, including popular majolica wares and "Abbey" blue and white transfer printed ceramics. Over 700 color photos display table, tea, toilet, and ornamental wares. A detailed history, pattern registration dates, shapes, & manufacturer's marks are provided. Values, bibliography, and several appendices round out the book Geoffrey Godden has called .,."the ultimate work on this Stoke firm."




Mocha and Related Dipped Wares, 1770-1939


Book Description

An authoritative guide to the history and craft of this rare and much sought-after ceramic ware.




The Ceramics of China


Book Description

Over 7000 years of Chinese pottery and porcelain in text and pictures, from Neolithic times through the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911. Illustrations follow the evolution from the earliest pottery tomb figures to the fine porcelains created by edicts of nineteenth century Chinese Emperors. The book features over 400 color photographs, a Time Line of selected historical events, and values in today's marketplace for each pictured item.




Encyclopedia of Marks on American, English, and European Earthenware, Ironstone, Stoneware, 1780-1980


Book Description

This essential new reference identifies thousands of marks from American, English and European potters. Marks are presented in alphabetical and chronological order by potters with historical facts. American and Canadian importers and the potters for whom they imported are identified. Ware types, printed patterns, registry dates, glossary and bibliography are included. Now identification of pottery has a single authoritative source.




California Potteries


Book Description

From the 1930s to the 1960s, numerous potteries in California turned out some of the finest figural pottery ever made in America. Here they are illustrated in over 800 color photographs covering more than 75 companies such as Brayton Laguna, Kay Finch, Hedi Scoop, DeLee Art, Robert Simmons, Walker-Renaker, and others. Provides information about the potteries, tips for collectors, and Price Guide.