Manufacturers of Themed Tableware
Several manufacturers of tableware have produced different kinds of objects, which have at least a loose connection with each other because of fable themes. I have found three such: Brown-Westhead, Moore, and Co.; Spode; and Royal Winton.
Brown-Westhead, Moore, and Co
One of the gifts of the internet is that we come into contact with people and institutions that share valuable knowledge that we would otherwise find it hard to come by. I have profited from three such contacts in learning about Brown, Westhead & Moore pottery. The first is Cristel Aarts, a collector who offered helpful information about one of the items below and has offered encouragement in my further adventures with this company. The second is “Lovers of Blue and White,” who both sell and archive high quality china (https://www.blueandwhite.com). The third is “The Potteries,” who offer a wide range of helpful information on china, including the markings one finds on objects like those produced by BWM (http://www.thepotteries.org).
Copeland Rd Plates and Cake Pedestal
Here are four plates and one cake pedestal, all acquired separately, that bear the clear stamp of coming from the same manufacturer. In fact, the manufacturer has several clear symbols on the back of his work. Still, the manufacturer's identity escapes me. The common theme is that "the" is transformed here into "ye" on three of the five pieces. The cake pedestal has a date inscribed on a sticker on its base: "1879" and I take that as a first clue. One seller identified his plate as "Copeland" and I take that as my second clue. I look forward to identifying the manufacturer better with the help of the seals on the bottom of the three items, and so I produce them here
Plates
Archaic English Plates
#2102 Colored Fable Dinner Plates with Branches on Their Rims
Two 10½" plates have several features in common. branches with buds around the rim, a multicolored fable illustration filling the indented center of the plate, "#2102" on the plate's bottom, and the "R" seal imbedded in the bottom of the plate.
F & S Ivy Pattern Cups, Bowls, and Saucers
1980? Here are three saucers, three cups, and three large bowls without handles perfect for a "Café au lait." The distinctive feature is an ivy garland around the rim of each piece. The cup and the bowls feature a large oval presentation of a fable with a title and two, three, or four verses of the fable on the opposite side. Various pieces have come for between $10 and $15 from Lorraine Busey, Orange, VA; Charles Alberti, Bemidji, MN; Richard Hutson, Aiken, S.C.; and and Eileen51 through eBay, at various times between '04 and May, '13. Pair of FC bowls for $59.99 from sparkjoy 14 through Ebay, Sept., '22
Keller and Guerin Colored Plates and Bowls
1965? Keller & Guerin, Lunéville, France have a set of six plates illustrating La Fontaine fables. Each is signed "Grotti." $33 for TH and LM from Tori Owen, Ross, CA, through Ebay, February, '01. $49.99 for three from Charlotte Dailey, Texarkana, TX, through eBay, August, '11. Further plates from J. Oliva, Tarzana, CA. I now have all six and extras of LM, WL, and GA. The second copy of GA was broken in shipping. And also now a orridge bowl with cork bird illustrating TH. Signed again by Grotti. P.F.C.: Porcelaine de France. €14.95 from maconlection through Ebay, Jan., ’21.
Each plate offers both a title above the illustration and a key line below it. Each is marked KG with a crown and cartouche in gold. There is also a gold rim around the design of each plate. The plates are remarkable for their colorful illustrations. Click on any small image to see a larger version.
Keller and Guerin Colored Plates
Keller and Guerin Colored Bowls
There are also two bowls belonging to the same series. Each offers the same signed illustration as its matching plate but as a mirror opposite. From issybass for a total of €7.99 through Ebay, Dec., '05.
Here the gold stripe is a filigreed stripe inside the top of the bowl. The rim is also circled in gold.
Keller and Guerin Porridge Bowl
Sarreguemines Brown
1930? Apparently there are twelve dishes in this set from Sarreguemines. I lack # 1 and #2. Those that I have have come from the following: Take a Second Look, Inc., Cuddebackville, NY, through Ebay, June, '99; Jewell and Associates, Hazel Park, MI; and Harriet Downing, Williamsburg, VA.
Sarreguemine Brown Plates
Sarreguemine Brown Bowl
1980? Four plates 7½" in diameter, each presenting a full-color humorous scene from a La Fontaine fable: GA, FC, FS, and WL. On the back of each is "Sarreguemines, France" with "D.V." superimposed. $35 from Larry Roberts, Pasadena, CA, May, '01.Click on any image to see a larger view.
Spode Blue Room Reproduction Group
1998? A platter, several plates, and a cup, each marked: "The Spode Blue Room Collection, Traditions Series, "Aesop's Fables," First Introduced c. 1831. Underglaze print from a hand engraved copper plate. Spode. England."
Apparently Spode has begun a nostalgia replica series recently. It surprises me how suddenly these related items have sprung up on Ebay. One of the blue plates is still in its styrofoam casing. I think I lost track, in the midst of my summer travels, on whether I had already landed a blue plate. I am not really seeking a full service for eight! For me the most appealing piece visually is the platter. The dog clutches his bone but is right down at water level and ready to pounce!
Circular Cartoon Cake Plate, Serving Plates, and Kitchen Canisters
I have found three sets of tableware and kitchenware that use the same circular titled cartoon designs. A maddening feature is that I can find no identifying manufacturer marks on any.
