A Repair Case Study

I recently came across the Web site of a wonderful English majolica restorer, Edge Conservation-Restoration Services in Liverpool, England.
Featured on their site is their restoration of a Holdcroft sugar bowl.

 The first step in the repair is the removal of the old repair.

The pieces are separated and all the old glue removed.
The piece is reglued using an acrylic resin.
Missing pieces were recreated using a polyfill or Plaster of Paris. Missing glaze was mimicked with a colored epoxy paste.
Retouching with dry pigments and a water borne ceramic glaze finish the process. The entire piece is covered with a protective plastic polish.

Here is the finished piece.

This is really extraordinary work!

If you would like to learn more about their services or wish to contact them about your own restoration project, visit their Web site: http://www.edgeconservation-restoration.com/File/category.asp?id=2

Majolica Spotlight: Vine and Strawberry Plates

One of the most commonly available majolica plate designs is the Vine and Strawberry plate. I don't know who did the original design. I remember reading once that it was a Copeland design but I've never really seen any confirmation of that. I know that Alcock made the pattern in majolica in the early 1850s which preceded Wedgwood's entrance into the majolica market but it's possible Wedgwood made the pattern in other bodies. 

I'm really not sure why it's called Vine and Strawberry either which is the name in the Wedgwood pattern books. "Grape and Strawberry" or "Leaf and Strawberry" would make more sense to me but then they never asked my opinion.

Certainly the most famous examples are from the afore mentioned Wedgwood. They made it in a number of different shapes and servers and a wide variety of color combinations including the Argenta color palette popular during the 1870's. The Argenta color was available in two sizes.

It's a pattern they've been making almost continuously from the 1800s until recently, in every pottery type from solid green to majolica to yellowware to drabware to bone china. In the post-war 1940's they reintroduced a majolica line without lead glaze in a distinctive yellow ground that has proven to be just as popular as the Victorian original with collectors.

I have a set of these in white bone china that I bought new thirty years ago and have used regularly ever since. Wedgwood even created a matching line of bone dinnerware called Strawberry and Vine that has proven popular on it's own.

Wedgwood bone china Strawberry & Vine

But Wedgwood was not alone in making this pattern. It was one of the most commonly copied patterns made in majolica. Gustavsberg, Davenport, Edge Malkin Co., and Brownfield made beautiful examples that match the finest of Wedgwood's examples.

Gustavsberg majolica grape plate

Brownfield majolica grape plate

There were also other potteries both in the US.and Britain that made their own examples of the plate. One of the earliest and rarest was Samuel Alcock who introduced their full color majolica example in the 1850s. The Arsenal pottery in the U.S. also made a simpler version in the late 1800s-early 1900s.

Samuel Alcock majolica grape ptale

Arsenal majolica grape plate

Today it is found in green glaze most frequently having been made in large quantities in that color by Wedgwood, Edge Malkin Co. and Davenport.

In all of its incarnations, it's a great design that has proven it's durability and one that deserves a place in the pantheon of great majolica patterns.

Merry Christmas Majolica

Christmas brings a lavish setting for us today as much as it was for Victorians but there are surprisingly not that many pieces of majolica specifically designed for Christmas use. The most famous to my mind would be the George Jones Punch bowl. With its holly and berries surrounding the bowl, it is held up by the most famous children's puppet of all, Punch!

George Jones majolica Punch bowl

Minton made several chargers for Christmas use festive enough for the most grand Christmas pudding!

Minton majolica Christmas charger

Minteon majolica evergreen bread platter

Minton majolica holly and mistletoe charger

Minton majolica holly bread charger

Minton holly and mistletoe tureen underplate

George Jones made a wonderful pitcher with old St. Nick at the spout and Minton made a lively Christmas pitcher festooned with holly.

George Jones St. Nicholas pitcher

Minton majolica holly pitcher

Minton as well as other British potteries made covered servers with holly decoration that would be appropriate for the Christmas table.

Minton majolica holly covered terrine

Minton holly sweetmeat

Holdcroft majolica fox game terrine

Victoria Pottery Company majolica game terrine

Minton majolica game terrine

George Jones also made items dishes with holly decoration that would also be appropriate for a Christmas gathering.

George Jones majolica holly sweetmeat

George Jones nesting bird charger

George Jones majolica goldfinch jam pot

George Jones majolica Christmas charger

George Jones majolica mistletoe epergne

Of course other potteries made holly decorated items as well.

Forester holly decorated basket

Sarreguemines majolica plate with holly

Rorstrand majolica Christmas charger

Brown, Westhead Moore majolica moon vase

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Adams & Bromley holly syrup

Minton majolica cameo jardiniere 

Royal Worcester majolica charger

It's somewhat surprising that one of the most desirable pieces with a Christmas theme was made by an American company, Eureka. Their famous "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" plate is as famous as it is elusive. Heavily reproduced, finding an original to buy is a once or twice in a lifetime opportunity. Maybe you'll find one under your Christmas tree this year!

Eureka holiday tazza 

Eureka holiday plate

From here at Glazed and Confused I wish you all the happiest holiday ever!