Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are offering this lovely William Brownfield of Cobridge salt glaze jug with pewter lid. It is in the Argos pattern, which design was registered on 29th April, 1864, according to the diamond registration mark on the base, as shown. It is a raised foliate pattern within a palmate design, which is repeated on the spout and there is a greek key design around the rim below the pewter lid. There are a limited number of these attractive jugs available on the market which are gilded, so this one is quite rare.

Brownfields were potters in Cobridge, North Staffordshire from about 1837 to the 1890s. William Brownfield began as a junior partner in the firm of Robinson Wood & Brownfield, at a pottery formerly owned by Ralph & James Clews. Eventually William Brownfield appears to be the sole owner, the first reference appearing in White’s 1851 directory where we find under china and earthenware manufacturers, Brownfield Wm. Cobridge. The factory produced a range of earthenware, stone china and added stoneware and parian to their productions. In the International Exhibition of 1862 they were awarded a medal for “printed earthenware” but no details are given of the patterns. Entries at other International exhibitions followed. The company produced a wide range of patterns, in a large variety of colours.

In 1871William Etches Brownfield entered the business and it became William Brownfield & Son. William senior died in 1873, William junior continued and his brother Edward Arthur Brownfield joined the firm. They continued to make a wide range of ceramics with occasional tour de force pieces for national and international exhibition, becoming one of the top ten Staffordshire factories. The company’s last swansong was an unusual venture fostered by Arthur Edward Brownfield, who in 1892 created a Potter’s Guild based on John Ruskin’s principles. But this “cooperative” was unfortunately destined to failure and the company was wound up in 1900.

Height: 8 5/8" - 21.85cm

Maximum width: 8" - 15.25cm

Diameter of base: 3 1/4" 8.25cm

Condition: Very good. There are no chips, cracks or repairs. The pewter lid is in good condition and the ceramic button on the top is intact and without crazing. There is some wear to the gilding, principally to the handle and a little around the top of the pattern on the body, only to be expected considering use and age.