The six designs presented in this post have
the AGR9 backstamp suggesting they were made in the first two years of
Charlotte being at Crown Ducal. None of them have pattern numbers or are
recorded in the surviving pattern books. Though it should be noted that the
pattern books start with number 2900 leaving the possibility that they may have
been documented at some time and the information has since been lost.
They were probably trial designs that did not
progress to upscaled production. Each pattern is very rare, being represented
by a single or at most two known examples. A possible exception being the
lidded jampot where the relatively simple tube-lining looks clumsily done and
therefore this may have been more of a training piece than a design proposal.
An unnumbered design from the period but not included here is the nurseryware pattern "Who's afraid of the big bad wolf". It is quite hard to find but the design is not as
rare as the other patterns listed here. It remained in production until at least 1938/9 and it is a mystery why it was not
given a pattern number amongst the cluster of
other nurseryware patterns, 3130-3135.
0000-P1-A
Only one example seen. A finely tube-lined
pattern of flowers and leaves. It has an unusual mottle glaze of two tones of
green on ivory and the signature style is that by the tube-liner who used the # mark.
Her name is unknown but her mark can be found on the earliest productions and she
was probably Charlottes most experienced tube-liner until Fanny Morrey arrived some months later.
0000-P1-B
Two examples seen, (one uncoloured) on bowls
of shape 174. Both have the signature by the tube-liner who used the # mark.
The one with coloured enamels has an unusual green mottle on ivory glaze. The
uncoloured one has a mottle glaze similar to pattern 3272 (Rhodian).
The layout and style of leaves, flowers and
stems is reminiscent of her first design for Burgess & Leigh, Burleigh
Ware pattern 3973. There are also similarities to her Pomona pattern for Bursley Ltd This is a good example of Charlotte recycling her favourite motifs.
 |
| Burleigh
Ware pattern 3973 |
0000-P1-C
Only one example seen. It has a Lottie Rhead
style signature so may have been tube-lined by Charlotte’s own hand. This leaf style is not typically found in Charlotte's other designs but this stylised form of beech leaves, (or possibly hazel or mountain ash) is very common in editions of a craft design magazine of the period, (L'Artisan Pratique) which she would surely have had access to.
0000-P1-D
Only one example seen. A vase of an unnumbered
shape. 25.5 cm high. The shape has been seen in smaller sizes with Rhead
tube-lined designs.
It has a Lottie Rhead style signature so may
have been tube-lined by Charlotte’s own hand. The tube-lining is extremely
finely executed which supports the premise.
The design is interesting as it is clearly a
prototype for pattern number 4534 which is in the pattern book but has not yet been seen. The central panel is similar to the drawing in the pattern book but the upper and lower borders are
different. These borders are more akin to those found on pattern 3272 (Rhodian).
It has mix of known Charlotte
motifs and includes the core design of what will become Bursley Ware pattern TL2.
0000-P1-E
Only one example seen. Apart from the
backstamp it has no other base markings. It has the glazes and colours of
patterns 2799, 2800 (Aztec), possibly 3273 and 3274 (Stitch) and a tube-lined
stitched edge, but is not a convincing variation of any of these.It may be a practice piece rather than a trial design.
0000-P1-F
Only one example seen. A jug of unknown and
unmarked shape. Being 18cms high it is probably a modified form of a shape 149 vase. Glazed
with the “Green Padua" glaze used for the
Persino and Primula patterns.
0000-P1-G
Two
examples are known both on the bowl shape 174 and both with the signature style
of Dora Jones. They are glazed
with the “Green Padua" glaze used for the
Persino and Primula patterns.
