Antique English slipware

Slipware is a type of pottery that particularly flourished in England in the 17th century and the early years of the 18th century. Essentially, it is red or buff earthenware decorated with white or coloured slip (diluted clay) that contrasts with the body. A yellowish lead glaze is characteristic.

Decoration took the form of slip-trailing, applied mouldings or sgraffito. In some areas combed (zig-zag), feathered and marbled patterns were favoured from the early 18th century.

Pink Lustre pitcher from Sunderland Pottery

Pink Lustre pitcher from Sunderland Pottery with image of Susan and William


Dated: c. 1835 Sunderland
Dimensions: 6.75 inch high
Medium: antique pink lustre luster pottery

Antique pink splash lustre pitcher with underglaze transfer prints and a hand painted anchor motif under the spout. The transfer prints have figures of Susan and William ( the sailor) and an image of a sailing ship title William IV.
The transfers are decorated with enamel colours and the pink luster is strong and vibrant.
The reference to the portrait figures of Susan and William relate to an old sea poem written in 1723 the first two verses give a gist of the topic.

British and American Studio Wares

The reaction against the mass-produced pottery and porcelain of the early Victorian age came to a head after the Great Exhibition of 1851. Inspired by the writings of John Ruskin, small groups of artisans formed art union groups and thus paved the way for the Arts and Crafts Movement. Led by William Morris in England, its members sought to return to the values of the medieval guild system where hand-made objects were produced in small numbers by groups of dedicated craftsmen.

 

Early Lambeth Doulton 

 

On the whole, their ideas proved commercially unworkable, but many art potteries that started up at this time proved more successful and continued producing throughout the 19th and into the 20th century. Probably the largest commercial enterprise making hand-decorated stoneware and pottery was the Lambeth studios of Doulton.