Pottery Mark Saying "Bristol - then Founded- then Crossed Swords Device - then 1652 - then England"
by Esther
(Staffordshire)
Pottery Mark Saying
Pottery Mark Saying
Pottery Mark Saying "Bristol - then Founded- then Crossed Swords Device - then 1652 - then England":- Two earthenware or delft plates from my late mother in law. Would like to know if they have a value. They are pretty old.
Oval size 30cm x 25cm approx
smaller oval size 28 x 23 cm approx
Esther
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Pottery Mark Saying "Bristol - then Founded- then Crossed Swords Device - then 1652 - then England"
Hi Esther
Many thanks for submitting, and hope you are finding the site useful. The impressed or printed mark BRISTOL POTTERY using the founded date 1652, was used from c1945-57 (with the crossed swords) and from 1957-65 without.
This is the mark of Pountney & Co of Bristol - one of the oldest pottery centers in the UK. However, to use the categoric date for the founding of the firm as 1652 is somewhat creative, to say the least.
It seems likely from archaeological evidence that pottery was made on the site of the Temple pottery from 1652 in St. Anne’s, Brislington, but to link this date directly with the founding of the manufacturer of wares bearing this backstamp (Pountney) is stretching it a bit.
I believe it was the flounderings of a pottery in trouble in post war Britain. Likely not putting enough money into design and development (unlike companies like Shelley operating in the same period). Apologies to
them of that was not the case as they have produced some very fine wares over the course of their history - namely...
"the highly artistic moulded items created by the modeller Edward Raby. Utilitarian wares were also of very high quality, in particular the blue and white transfer-printed services depicting Bristol and River Thames scenes. It can be said that during this period the Bristol Pottery was at its zenith in terms of overall quality and artistic merit." (quoted from the article here:- http://www.authorsonline.co.uk/book/662/Bristol_Pottery_1784_-_1972/sample/)
According to deeds unearthed by W.J.Pountney in the 1920's, a potbank called Temple Pottery was erected in 1683 (Source “Old Bristol Potteries”, by W.J.Pountney, first published 1920) - and became the biggest of the Bristol delftware potteries of the period.
Towards the end of the eighteenth century (1784 according to some records I have read - see http://www.authorsonline.co.uk/book/662/Bristol_Pottery_1784_-_1972/sample/) it became known as "Bristol Pottery".
The first record I can find of the Pountney name is 1813 (John Decimus Pountney). Subsequently, there were various partnerships until 1849 when Goddens Encyclopedia says the Poulney & CO (Ltd) was officially founded.
So we don't want to be pedantic, but in my view, 1683 seems to be a more acceptable date, rather than the more fanciful 1652.
Bristol Pottery (aka Pountney & Co Ltd) finally closed at the end of the 1960's.
Peter (admin)
p.s. The following page is a 'must see' if you are researching fine china - for value and identification:-
Researching the identity and value of antique and vintage fine china.
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