I was driving past a Sussex country Antique Shop near Pulborough, back in the late 1960's, and noticed that the forecourt was empty; so I stopped the car and went inside.
The first thing to catch my eye was this turquoise glazed platter. It looked back at me and said "Buy me, buy me". I did as ordered.
On the underside is stamped EYNSFORD inside a lozenge shaped surround. There are some potters 'ID squiggles' scratched into the clay, as well as the number 5 C
Unfortunately I can't find any reference to a studio pottery in Eynsford; which is near Sevenoaks in Kent. It's a shame because I'd love to know more about it; it's a stunningly beautiful plate.
Sadly it suffered slightly during the firing process, with a crack showing both front and back. This isn't a 'breakage'; just a firing fault. These things happen. I'd love to know when it was made, and by whom. I would roughly estimate it coming from the 1930's, but who knows!
It's good to be reunited with it again. It's now used mostly for keys, my TV-watching glasses, and other things that have no other natural home.
It is beautiful and I can imagine it calling to me too, but of course you were much closer. Will it be used or will it be just for display?
ReplyDeleteIt is home to homeless nick-knacks.
DeleteIt is a really interesting piece.
ReplyDeleteIt's my favourite.
DeleteKeys and glasses should always have a natural home, and now they have. The plate is lovely.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a beauty. It's really nice having it in my life again.
DeleteIt is a beautiful colour, I can see why it appealed to you.
ReplyDeleteWe keep our keys, glasses etc in a wooden bowl that P rescued from the Tip. It is wonderfully smooth and very tactile. I can't imagine why someone threw it away.
Over the years I've rescued various things from rubbish containers, skips, etc. I always think the same as you... Why on earth would anyone throw that away?
Delete. It makes me want to go to a ceramics studio very close here and look for something in turquoise.
ReplyDeleteYou could almost lick it, it looks so delicious.
DeleteThat is a lovely plate. Very pleasing. Perfect for collecting all those little somethings
ReplyDeleteThis morning it was full of empty sweet wrappers!
DeleteThe Craft Potters Association has only been going since the Fifties but I've found in the past that with the Scottish Potters Association there is a wealth of knowledge in the membership and you might just get a lead if you drop them a line.
ReplyDeleteThanks Graham, I might well try that. I did look at a very extensive Studio Pottery finding guide, but there was no mention of Eynsford; but it may not have been called that.
DeleteThere was a Caravan Potteries in Eynsford in the 1930s. Farningham and Eynsford History Society mention it on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI shall have a look and see if it could be that. Thanks.
DeleteThe colour is amazing. Make me a mermaid and I'll dive straight in.
ReplyDeleteCro, whilst I commend curiosity/looking behind the curtain, why not just enjoy the plate without knowing its provenance? Such joy in mystery, don't you think?
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I enjoy it anyway, but it would also be fun to know who made it.
DeleteI also like the blue. If you can source these plates, I'd be very tempted to buy a set of 4 or 6. Serving a meal with the table set in blue plates would be very nice.
ReplyDeleteI doubt if there's even one more like this in existence.
DeleteThere is a book on potters marks.
ReplyDeleteWith luck your local library should have a copy at least in the reference section
I've trawled through a very extensive online page; but nothing. The name 'Eynsford' isn't even mentioned.
DeleteWhat a beautiful colour! We live in a region where there used to be a lot of potteries. The clay here is so special that it was exported to all Europe. The traditional crockery was grey and blue, due to the firing process. Now there are only some artisanal potters left, and they make so beautiful things that I don´t dare visit their studios because we already have too much ceramics.
ReplyDeleteHilde in Germany
It's a stunning colour, with pinks and greens in places. I know how you feel, I'm also very easily tempted to buy nice things.
DeleteBeautiful indeed Cro - I have three very similar ones - one that colour, one a mustard colour and one a very deep blue. I bought them many years ago from a village potter high up in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco - I just couldn't reist the colour and they look wonderful with my fruit order of things like bananas, green grapes and clementines in them.
ReplyDeleteI love Moroccan ceramics, the glazed bowls and tiles in particular; all as long as they're made for the locals, and not for tourists.
DeleteI went to Eynsford a few years ago. It is near the Lullingstone estate with its Roman villa. Beautifully unique platter.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly get around. I must be the worst-travelled person on earth.
DeleteIt is a beautiful piece. It could well have come home with me.
ReplyDelete