Bell Works and Church Works
'Pompeii' Shape Jugs
William Ridgway
William Ridgway & Co.
E. J. Ridgway & Abington
Bell Works Patterns
"Persian" green
This is the first example of a 'Pompeii' jug that I have come across with a printed design, or indeed in ordinary earthenware. It does show how shape moulds were transferred between William Ridgway's various enterprises.
The jug. Earthenware.
This has the Urn and Beehive mark used at the Bell Works rather than the Urn and Anchor mark used at the Church Works.
Photos © Dick Henrywood 2019
Church Works and Cobden Works Patterns
Plain Stone
The jug is 146mm tall. Buff stoneware.
The Urn & Anchor mark, with "W. RIDGWAY & Co." on a ribbon below, would appear to be sprigged on and only occurs on a few of the early jugs.
Note the impressed "24" on the base. This is the number in a 'potter's dozen', and it relates to the size (the smaller the number, the larger the jug), and the way it is invoiced out from the factory (if you bought a dozen of 24s you would get 24 jugs).
Photos © Angela Grant 2017
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Plain Blue
The jug is 264mm tall including lid. Pale blue stoneware.
The knob shape is typical of the factory.
The filter appears to have been restored.
The impressed "4" on the base means you would get only 4 of these large jugs to the dozen.
Photos © Angela Grant 2017
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Plain Sage
The jug (minus ceramic cover) is 178mm lip to handle, and 197mm tall. Sage stoneware.
This appears to be a moulder's tally mark.
Photos © Bonnie Jean Seiwell ~ Lady in Decadence 2023
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Pattern 33
This pattern has gilt highlights.
The jug is 128mm tall. Pale blue stoneware.
The impressed mark on the opposite side of the base to the number occurs on several William Ridgway moulded jugs. It may be a form of moulder's tally mark.
Photos © Angela Grant 2017
The jug with Britannia Metal lid is 217mm tall to the tip of the lid. Pale blue stoneware.
Photos © Angela Grant 2018
The jug (minus Britannia Metal lid) is 168mm handle to spout and 187mm tall. Pale blue stoneware.
Photos © Bonnie Jean Seiwell ~ Lady in Decadence 2022
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Pattern 60
The Pattern Book entry for this pattern reads: '60 / Pompeii Jug. / Patt 33 Cut up in dry Orange instead [of] Gold.'1
The orange highlights would presumably have meant that this pattern was slightly cheaper than pattern 33.
The jugs are respectively 220mm, 187mm and 158mm tall. Pale blue coloured stoneware.
Photos © Angela Grant 2010
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Pattern 153
The minature jug is 69mm tall. Pale blue coloured stoneware.
Photos © Angela Grant 2018
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Pattern 171
The Pattern Book entry for this pattern reads: '171. / [Picture without lid] / Pompeii Jug for Mounting'1
The implication here is that the lids were not fitted by the factory, but the retailer arranged for this to be done. This may explain the variety of lids fitted.
The jug with Britannia metal lid is 191mm tall to top of handle. Pale blue coloured stoneware.
There is a particularly complete set of marks on this jug, with an impressed moulder's mark, a painter's mark, and a gilder's mark.
Photos © David Gallacher 2020
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Pattern 190
The Pattern Book entry for this pattern reads: '190. / Turqs Pompeii Jug as 33 only Mulberry / leafage & white & orange flowers Sprigs / inside the Jug — (not Mounted)'1
The jug is 178mm tall. Pale blue coloured stoneware.
The impressed "12" is a size mark. The horizontal and vertical lines close to the pattern number are probably tally marks.
Photos © Jim McAuliffe 2018-20
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Pattern 5145 "Siva"
I was most surprised by this turning up as I had no idea they continued using the shape for so long. It also gave me a name for a print that I had not previously seen named.
The jug is 190mm tall. Earthenware.
Photos © Susanna Pickle 2022
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Notes
1. Entry from the William Ridgway Pattern Book by courtesy of the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.