A Potteries Guild silver and pottery lidded vase

For sale is this “rare as hens’ teeth” Potteries and Newcastle Cripples Guild silver and pottery lidded vase or decanter.  The pottery body is by Royal Doulton and almost certainly a Bernard Moore glaze.  Asides being an independent potter with links to Royal Doulton, Bernard Moore was one of the original directors of the Potteries Cripples Guild which was later renamed the Duchess of Sutherland Cripples Guild. This vase is a particualry fine example of his flambe glaze with wonderful lustre and purple hues.

The piece is a highly authentic piece of arts and crafts work.    It is most likely a Frances Arthur Edwardes design (see A1430 at this link for more on Edwardes).  Images show a very similar piece in the catlaogue of the Duchess of sutherland Cripples Guild catalogue from c 1910.

The vase is fully assayed and part marked for Birmingham 1906 and carries the PGH sponsor mark, an abbreviation for The Potteries Guild of Handicraft to both base and lid.

The Potteries and Newcastle Cripples Guild originated in 1898. It was set up by Millicent Duchess of Sutherland, a society beauty and social reformer.  The Guild’s aim was originally to provide medical treatment to children and to instruct children in a trade or craft. Originally artificial flowers, baskets and photograph frames were made, and boys learnt printing.  By 1902 there were over a hundred boys and girls being taught within the guild. Art metalwork began in 1902 under the guidance of Francis Arthur Edwards. Designs were copied or adapted from historical examples, although this perfume bottle would appear to have more contemporary inspiration.

The majority of work was made in copper which was silver plated with some sterling silver pieces. In 1907 the name of the Guild was changed to The Duchess of Sutherland’s Cripples Guild of Handicrafts as the venture was made into a limited company (the “DSCG”). The work produced was sold locally and at 13-14 New Bond Street in London. The metalwork employed 12 boys and a later a number of adults and closed in 1922.

The Potteries Guild of Handicrafts registered its assay mark on 19^th November 1906 and within two years it was replaced by the registered ‘MS’ mark of 14^th January 1908.  It was only as the DSCG that the venture started to consistently produce sterling silver pieces, hence the rarity of this piece.

Condition is very good for both silver and pottery.  There are tiny “fleabite” losses to the glaze of the vase – not noticeable.

Price: £1,950

Maker: The Potteries Guild of Handicraft (Duchess of Sutherland Cripple’s Guild)

Designer: Frances Edwardes/Bernard Moore (attrib)

Date: 1906

Marks: PGH, Birmingham, “g”

Material: Sterling silver

Condition: Very good.

Size: 28.5 cm high

Weight: NM