Unusual Stoneware Studio Covered Dish with Scary Face & Greyhound Mark

You have lovely ears

Thanks - my dog Max's ears actually!

Could the lettering say "Stanford Hall Pottery"? I can find passing references to a pottery there:
http://www.information-britain.co.uk/showPlace.cfm?Place_ID=3936O

Or it might have something to do with the other Stanford Hall, in Nottinghamshire, which is, as I understand it, very close to the Muggins Pottery.

I have seen the mark without the writing before on an item of art deco looking pottery. So it could be a company rather than a single studio potter. As for what's written. The last word on ceramics is normally country or place of origin and very few places start with IT and end in Y, apart from I would suggest ITALY? I would suggest looking for a factory that uses a double greyhound or double lion mark in Italy.

Oh and I think its for salt

Thanks for the suggestions. Having studied the writing more, I think the last word is POTTERY, but the first few letters haven't taken properly. The first two words could possibly be Stanford Hall, but I can't find any examples of pottery directly related to Stanford Hall. The Muggins Pottery does make similar stoneware, but the faces on their pieces are quite cute and appealing - not at all like this rather haunting creature! Their marks are not like this, but I think I might contact them to ask if they have any thoughts. I might also drop a line to Stanford Hall. Every bit of info helps!

The dog mark is actually the crest from the shield of the Cave family of Stanford Hall, Leicestershire:
http://www.cavefhs.com/heraldry/

Heraldically " a greyhound courant sable, collared  argent, and holding in the mouth an escroll, thereon the motto Gardez.....

@moordeep

looks more like a cheese dome to me,the lid looks too big for a salt container

It looks like Shelf or Grayshott or similar, from the 70s. If it has the Hall's crest then it may have been a commission.

So glad I joined this forum - it's giving me so many ideas about where to look for more info, and introducing me to lots of different potteries! I'm really enjoying following them up.

That's the idea Clarehelen

You will find a lot of knowledge spread around the members of this forum. We often differ in what we think but share a passion and an interest in ceramics that I hope comes across to new members. If you get enough replies chances are you will find the right answer in them some place.

dantheman wrote:@moordeep

looks more like a cheese dome to me,the lid looks too big for a salt container

Seen a few salt domes that look like this now. But as it's studio and not 19th century art pottery I will admit I am probably wrong

Just hypothesizing!
Could the bottom word be ABATY (Wales)?
The clay and glaze is right, and they did use a
brown printed mark like this one.

denbydump wrote:Just hypothesizing!
Could the bottom word be ABATY (Wales)?
The clay and glaze is right, and they did use a
brown printed mark like this one.

Good thinking Denby. Does look very similar
There was also Pembrokeshire Pottery, which used the same clay and glaze.

I'm not familiar with Abaty, but have looked at examples on line, and the clay type and glaze do seem to be similar, so will look into this more. I've also been looking into the Stanford Hall link more and interestingly the crest of the Braye family who were the original owners of Stanford Hall includes a greyhound very similar in form to the one on this backstamp.

I've contacted Muggins - not one of theirs and they don't recognise the mark.