Design attributed to Christopher Dresser (1834-1904)
Watcombe Terracotta Company (1869-1884), Torquay – Devon, England c. 1875

Attributed by scholars to Christopher Dresser, the design of this lemonade set’s terracotta jug bears strong resemblance to a spun copper example that has “Dr. Dresser’s design” inscribed on its base. That pitcher, now in the Birkenhead Collection, appears to be a prototype model. Terracotta examples of this distinctive jug form serve as the basis for attributing other works from the Watcombe Company to Dresser – an associated accepted by Dresser scholars. With its sleek design, silver rims and fille decoration, this ewer, tray and matching beakers have a quite modern appearance for their late 19th Century date.

DESCRIPTION: 

Terracotta jug with silverplated lid, terracotta tray and three beakers with silver rims.

CONDITION: 

Base of one beaker chipped

LITERATURE: 

See Durant, Stuart, Christopher Dresser. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1993, p. 112, for image and discussion of a similar ewer; Harry, Ch. Dresser, The People’s Designer (1834-1904). Great Britain: Alastair Carew-Cox, 1999, figures 75, 46 and 47; Whiteway, Michael, Christopher Dresser 1834-1904. Milan: Skira Editor S.P.A., p. 153, for a discussion of this model’s prototype.

MARKED: 

The ewer’s silverplated lid marked internally “P&F Schafer/27 Piccadilly” and externally hallmarked “JB/AJ” for London 1875. (All pieces similarly hallmarked.) The terracotta ewer impressed with “Watcombe/Torquay” and the nmber “1283.” The tray and two beakers stamped in black with the circular seal, “Watcombe Torquay.”

SIZE: Ewer: 8” h; Beakers: 4”-4” h; Tray: 13” d

CALL NUMBER: 338-II-O