SylvaC Animals
Cherry Nixon
looks at the
history behind
this
Staffordshire
Pottery and
discusses the
appeal of the
matt glazed
animals they
produced.
'No one is going
to buy green
rabbits” was
William Shaw’s
comment to his
partner, Richard
Hull, concerning
his idea to
create a new
line in pottery
animals. As it
turned out
nothing could
have been
further from the
truth. His
doubts were put
aside and sets
of rabbits were
produced in matt
glazes in a
range of
different
colours, and
sold like hot
cakes
contributing to
the success of
the factory...'
Animal Magic. The enchanting world of Beswick
Animals. By Clare Blake.
'In the words of
the popular
theme song from
The Spy Who
Loved Me,
“Nobody does it
better!” Whether
meticulously
detailed animal
pieces created
with a devotion
to accuracy that
is simply
staggering, or
whimsical
character models
inspired by
works of
fiction,
illustration,
and the world of
animation,
Beswick reigns
supreme...'
Grotesque Ware. Beasts in pottery – grotesque
novelties with monstrous mouths, beady eyes and
large ears.
'Towards the end
of the 19th
century the
Victorians were
fascinated with
the grotesque,
and it became
fashionable to
want items that
looked quaint or
distorted.
Inspiration came
from the Gothic
Revival which
harked back to
the medieval
period,
encouraging the
taste for
heraldic motifs,
stained glass
and carved
masonry,
particularly the
gargoyle images
of God’s beasts...'
Salisbury & Wilton. Karyn
Sparks goes on the antiques trail to Wiltshire’s
only Cathedral city.
'Antiquexplorer
presents a guide
to exploring
Wilton and
Salisbury,
nestling in the
beautiful
Wiltshire
countryside.
Revisiting the
area to find out
what’s been
happening in
both town and
city, in the
hope to update
you, the reader.
We have included
a simplified map
in order to find
the easiest
routes to the
dealers,
galleries and
auction houses.
Salisbury also
plays host to a
number of
regular antique
fairs held at
both the Leisure
Centre and the
Racecourse, the
atmosphere alone
makes them a
worth while trip. ...'
