Twins Separated at Birth: 2

As we saw in the first edition of Twins Separated at Birth, attribution in ceramics can be a tricky subject. Unless a piece is actually marked you can never be sure which pottery produced it. Majolica was produced for such a long time that factories often copied the work of other potteries. This is more common among the smaller potteries but it occasionally happened with larger potteries as well. 

One well documented example is this figural of two cherubs carrying a barrel. The design certainly originated with Minton and was made in several versions including a version with each cherub on its own. They have all the design attributes of Minton. Yet the design was also successfully copied by Holdcroft. The Holdcroft version included a flower frog which made clear the intended use as a centerpiece. The Minton versions could be used for anything. I've never seen one with a flower frog from Minton though they may have made them. Both potteries signed their work and used glazes distinctive to their factories, leaving no question to the attribution.

Minton version with cherubs holding an oval barrel

Minton version with cherubs holding a round barrel

Minton example that substitutes a shell for the barrel

Holdcroft version with a round barrel and flower frog

Another commonly seen twin is the rope and acanthus leaf cheese bell. These are generally attributed to Forester but the original was registered by Joseph Roth, London. When Roth folded after just a few years in production Forester purchased their majolica molds. The Roth examples are marked; the Forester examples of the same design were not. However we know Forester made the piece because it appears in advertising from the company catalog. In addition to Forester other companies copied the design as well including the Bendigo Pottery of Australia.

Joseph Roth majolica cheese bell

Bendigo Pottery fern and rope (PHOTO: MAAS)

Another well known piece, the monumental Wedgwood fish platter, has its own twins but the makers are unknown. The MIS has suggested that one of the makers may be Holdcroft but I have never seen one marked as such. The quality is variable on these though it is often quite as good as the Wedgwood original.

Wedgwood majolica fish platter

Holdcroft majolica fish platter

One commonly found majolica twin is the Copeland cauliflower teapot but in this case the twin, made by the Etruscan Works of Phoenixville, PA is more well known than the Copeland original. Very popular with collectors the GSH designers created a complete service of dessert wares around the teapot. To the best of my knowledge matching pieces were not made for the Copeland original.

Copeland majolica cauliflower teapot

Etruscan majolica cauliflower teapot

Since we're discussing Etruscan twins the GSH bird and iris teaset is a slightly altered twin of Forester's own bird and iris teaset.

GSH bird and iris teaset

Forester bird and iris teaset

With an English designer–most likely Hamlet Bourne of Staffordshire–the Etruscan Works copied many original British designs creating American twins of their English cousins. Even the most famous Etruscan piece, their baseball pitcher, is an adaptation of Wedgwood's cricket jug.

GSH majolica baseball jug

Wedgwood majolica cricket jug

Among the other "twins" of European majolica created by the Etruscan Works are the E-3 butterfly pitcher after a jug by Forester; the lily dessert stand; the C-7 geranium cake tray; the E-12 corn pitcher from a BWM original; the C-11 strawberry server from a Wedgwood original; the E-5 corn creamer; the K-2 cow butter from a GJ original; the N-14 sardine dish also from a GJ original; the E-1 straight side jug from a Wedgwood original; the Asian peasant plate from a Choisy Le Roi original; the A-6 pansy pat from a Copeland pat; the A-1 pond lily pat from a GJ original; and the A-7-2 pat. Many of these copies were specifically intended to undercut the sales of the more expensive imported versions.

Etruscan Majolica E3 pitcher

Forester majolica pitcher

Other copies exist from other potteries of course but if I were to list them all I'd be here all day. Still, this gives a good idea how common the practice of "twinning"was.

Majolica Smokers

In the last quarter of the 19th century and the first quarter of the 20th century majolica smoking paraphernalia was one of the leading products made by pottery companies. Particularly popular on the Continent, German, French and Austrian potters were always looking for novel ways to appeal to this large smoking audience. One of the most whimsical products created was the figural smoker. Often mistaken for match strikers or incense burners by today’s collector these smokers proved to be an amusing alternative to the ashtrays and smoking sets available in such quantity.

The idea behind the smoker was quite simple. At the base there was a large enclosed ash tray for the smoker to place their lit cigar, pipe or cigarette. Above this there was usually a figure of some sort with an open mouth. The smoke would rise from the ashtray and come out through the figure’s mouth giving the illusion of the figure exhaling smoke. Most frequently the figure would be something completely inappropriate like an anthropomorphic animal or a child to add to the amusement. Sometimes these are combined with match strikers. Most of these smokers were unmarked so we don’t have an idea who actually made them, the exception being WS&S who marked most of their wares and carried large lines of smoking paraphernalia.

Marked F.K.& Co., Bohemia

Wilhelm Schiller & Son dog smoker

Massier majolica boar smoker

Now, smoking paraphernalia isn’t as popular a collectible as it once was as society has turned away from tobacco products for health reasons but the legacy left by these potters continues to provide amusement to collectors savvy enough to pick these up when they come across them.