Prattware, Torquay, Watcombe, Dudson? 2 Terracotta Bottle vases / decanters

by **peterart** Mon Apr 17, 2017 8:28 pm

Hi
I have found 2 vase-have been told that they 19thC but I can not find any info about them.
Please help.
Thanks

Terracotta - Prattware, Torquay, Watcombe, Dudson? 2 Terracotta Bottle vases / decanters Dsc_0024

Terracotta - Prattware, Torquay, Watcombe, Dudson? 2 Terracotta Bottle vases / decanters Dsc_0027

Terracotta - Prattware, Torquay, Watcombe, Dudson? 2 Terracotta Bottle vases / decanters Dsc_0028

Terracotta - Prattware, Torquay, Watcombe, Dudson? 2 Terracotta Bottle vases / decanters Dsc_0025

by **NaomiM** Mon Apr 17, 2017 8:50 pm

I believe it's Torquay ware, Watcombe Terracotta Pottery. Late 19thC

Edited to add, see also James Dudson, Ridgway, Pompeii pattern bottle vases

by **denbydump** Mon Apr 17, 2017 9:24 pm

agreed, they are really decanters.

https://www.20thcenturyforum.com/t15646-watcombe-pottery-torquay

These are seen in many decorations on this standard shape, however they should
have a stand/saucer and a stopper, which are almost always missing.

by **Essenjay** Tue Apr 18, 2017 7:44 pm

Don't discount Prattware either - they made these terracotta water bottles with the winged lion decoration.

http://www.thecollectingbug.com/prattwarepottery/?11

by **olipayton** Wed Apr 19, 2017 9:27 am

I would agree with the Pratt ware idea - there little condiment pots look to have some similarity
google - VICTORIAN-CONDIMENT-RELISH-POT-1856-HUNTING-SCENE-PATTERN-PRATT-WARE

by **Essenjay** Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:44 pm

Sorry, the link above doesn't appear to be working. Hopefully this one should...

http://www.thecollectingbug.com/prattwarepottery~terracotta/explore?4

by **denbydump** Thu Apr 20, 2017 1:10 am

Yes the little painted numbers on the base of one, would point to it not being
Watcombe, but they did use similar motifs, particularly the greek key scroll design.

by **Mordeep** Thu Apr 20, 2017 8:02 am

The number of these around would indicate many makers. The fact so many don't have a tray or a stopper would also indicate that many never came with one while new. I have seen some with India as a country of origin painted on the base. So I know they were produced there. They differ wildly in quality from very basic transfer printed scrolls through to multi coloured enamelled birds (hand painted). The bottles themselves all seem to be about the same quality, so they could be mass produced and only decorated at different companies? I don't know, not sure anyone does.

I would guess that for a while these were in fashion, late 1870's through to about 1900 sounds about right date wise and everyone got into selling them including Watcombe. What tells them apart is how much effort went into the decoration and if it is hand applied.

by **Johners2000** Thu Apr 20, 2017 8:16 am

Spookily I saw one of these in an antiques centre on Sunday - it was simply labelled Late Victorian vase and priced at £30.

by **hercules brabazon** Thu Apr 20, 2017 12:52 pm

The Bishops Waltham pottery seems to have been producing wares in a similar vein as early as 1866-7.
https://hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/content/bishops-waltham-clay-company-1866-1867