Unusual slipware amphora with forest creatures - WWS?

by **Alex_s** October 26th 2012, 6:23 am

This is a lovely thing, around 1ft high. Reptiles, fungi, insects and a frog on the other side, all luminous and drawn with some skill and a degree of humour.

No mark on the base, but the initials - I think - WWS on the side. Anyone got any ideas?

Unusual slipware amphora with forest creatures - WWS? Vase410

Unusual slipware amphora with forest creatures - WWS? Vase410

Unusual slipware amphora with forest creatures - WWS? Vase510

by **Alex_s** October 31st 2012, 4:24 pm

Anyone? Help! Can't find out a single thing about this.

by **NaomiM** October 31st 2012, 4:30 pm

It's beautiful. Reminds me of Royal Doulton's Kingsware. Is there any way that signature could read "Charles Noke"?

by **Alex_s** October 31st 2012, 4:44 pm

I can see your thinking there. But isn't the subject a little off-brand for Kingsware? I was initially reminded of the Martin Brothers, but they did salt glaze and sgraffito. Besides, I don't have the sort of luck to stumble on a Martin piece! I also thought Japanese style, but there are no Japanese characters. Then I thought Arts and Crafts, because there was Japanese influence there. But somehow it feels more modern than that. I dunno. Hopefully it's a sleeper!

by **NaomiM** October 31st 2012, 5:15 pm

Martins ware for subject matter and Noke for technique. Happy

Brannam did weird stuff, but not in that technique.
Could it be by Edmund Elton?

by **Alex_s** October 31st 2012, 5:26 pm

I don't think Elton. More like Brannam, I suppose, but I don't think it's that either. But what do the damn initials mean, and why no mark? Can't believe a piece as good as this is so hard to identify.

by **Potty** October 31st 2012, 10:05 pm

With a base like that I think we can rule out both Doulton and Martin Brothers.

I think it's likely to be continental and I do like it Most Excellent

by **bistoboy** October 31st 2012, 10:14 pm

have to say, i couldn't see WWS, but more like Wells.

by **Potty** October 31st 2012, 10:31 pm

Or maybe even "Will S", as the S at the end seems to be a capital letter.

by **bistoboy** October 31st 2012, 10:35 pm

did william staite murray ever sign "will S" ??? would be an amazing find if he did, and if this fits his early style? don't know enough about him myself

by **Potty** October 31st 2012, 11:20 pm

I'd have said this vase itself is molded (is it?), so we can rule out most studio potters I think.

Also this vase looks to be made from white earthenware.

I suspect the vase was made in a factory and is signed by the decorator.

by **NaomiM** November 1st 2012, 1:42 am

The Germans were copying Kingsware in the 1930s, (and the Japanese in the 1950s). Germans also used white earthenware, however there would be a small patent mark printed on the base.

by **Alex_s** November 1st 2012, 2:45 pm

Okay, great info. So, there's the faint suggestion of a seam down each side, so I guess that means moulded. It does seem to be white earthen ware, so I might go down the German route. Perhaps a German copy of something Japanese then.

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Unusual slipware amphora with forest creatures - WWS?

Unusual slipware amphora with forest creatures - WWS?

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