Pattern No: A8246
| Pattern Name | Design Type | Designer | Likely Design Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not known | Lustre - BC | Not known | 1945 |
Notes
Most of the pots recorded for this pattern have been in North America, undoubtedly a reflection of the influence of the British government’s introduction of regulations concerning decorated pottery during the Second World War: the manufacture of decorated pots for the Home market was largely forbidden in order to encourage and develop export sales.
Although Gray’s purchased ‘Castle’ jugs (item on the right in the first image) from Lancaster & Sandland, that company also sold such jugs, with similar decorations: it looks as though this is what has happened here. See the website section Retailers, North America – USA, Skinners for more information on these jugs.
Note that Gray’s Art Director Sam Talbot joined Lancaster & Sandland in 1959.
The ‘antique’-shaped jug in the second image, typically made by Kirklands pottery, appears to be decorated in pattern A8246 (there’s only an indistinct marking, including ‘1234’, on the base). The Portmeirion backstamp as shown, with no Gray’s Pottery reference, was used from 1962. This pattern is therefore an example of one of a handful of Gray’s designs that the new owners kept in production, probably for long-established North American customers.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that this pattern was known as Maltese Cross on the factory.
At least one pot of this pattern has been recorded with an early Clipper (Hanley) backstamp – either reference N0 or N1 (see the Backstamps section), marks typically in use between 1931 and 1933. The only logical explanation is that there was a shortage of the later Clipper (Stoke-on-Trent) backstamp: perhaps there was an interruption of supplies during the restrictive conditions imposed by the Second World War.
Although Gray’s purchased ‘Castle’ jugs (item on the right in the first image) from Lancaster & Sandland, that company also sold such jugs, with similar decorations: it looks as though this is what has happened here. See the website section Retailers, North America – USA, Skinners for more information on these jugs.
Note that Gray’s Art Director Sam Talbot joined Lancaster & Sandland in 1959.
The ‘antique’-shaped jug in the second image, typically made by Kirklands pottery, appears to be decorated in pattern A8246 (there’s only an indistinct marking, including ‘1234’, on the base). The Portmeirion backstamp as shown, with no Gray’s Pottery reference, was used from 1962. This pattern is therefore an example of one of a handful of Gray’s designs that the new owners kept in production, probably for long-established North American customers.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that this pattern was known as Maltese Cross on the factory.
At least one pot of this pattern has been recorded with an early Clipper (Hanley) backstamp – either reference N0 or N1 (see the Backstamps section), marks typically in use between 1931 and 1933. The only logical explanation is that there was a shortage of the later Clipper (Stoke-on-Trent) backstamp: perhaps there was an interruption of supplies during the restrictive conditions imposed by the Second World War.
Similar Patterns
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