A look at the design, market and legacy of Victorian pottery

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Japonisme: Fabulous Fans Pt. 2, James Wardle and Shorter and Boulton "Fan" Wares



Shorter & Boulton majolica Fan pitcher

James Wardle and Company was one of the earliest English companies to jump on the majolica bandwagon. They did a huge business in the United States largely on their Asian influenced wares. Like Banks and Thorley, they did a big business in their Japanese bamboo themed majolica, but the pattern we see most commonly is their Fan pattern wares.

Wardle majolica Fan bread tray

The Wardle bread platter was later copied by the Arsenal Pottery

Wardle majolica Fan tea set

Wardle majolica fan tray

Wardle majolica Fan tray

Wardle majolica Fan jug

Wardle majolica Fan mustache cup

Shorter and Boulton also did a large business in majolica in the US. Their work is almost always unmarked and sometimes attributed to Fielding but the craftsmanship was not as fine as Fielding.

Shorter & Boulton majolica Fan tea kettle

Shorter & Boulton majolica Fan teapot

Shorter & Boulton majolica Fan plate

Shorter & Boulton majolica Fan mustache cup & saucer

Shorter & Boulton majolica Fan cup & saucer

Shorter & Boulton majolica Fan humidor

Shorter & Boulton majolica Fan plate

Both of these manufacturer's wares are easily found in the US and generally quite reasonable. Plates sell in the $50-$200 range depending on size and color and pitchers sell in the $75-$250 range also depending on size and color. Platters sell in the $150-$250 range.

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