Dixon, Austin & Co, Four Seasons
Dixon, Austin & Co ran the Sunderland Pottery from 1818–1839 and likely produced these figures, emblematic of the Four Seasons, for most of that period. They operated the Sunderland Pottery on two sites: one at North Hylton, and the other, the Garrison Pottery, at the mouth of the Wear. Each site had its own enameller (pot painter) who was responsible for applying all aspects of decoration.
There are similarities in script of items from both sites, so it is not quite as straightforward as it might seem attributing these figures to one site or the other. The more obvious differences are seen on items with lower case script, but the vast majority of the seasons' titles are in capital letters.
Below left is a lower case 'Summer'. The letters are similar in formation to those from both the North Hylton site (centre detail below) and those from the Garrison Pottery site (right detail below).
Below left is a lower case 'Summer'. The letters are similar in formation to those from both the North Hylton site (centre detail below) and those from the Garrison Pottery site (right detail below).
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The inscription on the composite figure, with a watch holder in the centre, suggests that the Garrison Pottery might be a better match. Note the upper case 'J' and lower case 't' match those on the firmly attributable Garrison Pottery text in the right detail. Compare the 't' with the North Hylton text in the centre detail above, which is entirely different in formation. |
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Other factors supporting a Garrison Pottery attribution are that no fragments of these figures occur in Norman Lowe's extensive collection of pottery sherds from the North Hylton site. Also, the enameller at North Hylton appears to have retired around 1827 and these figures with similar hand-painted titles were in production well into the 1830s.
The photos below, from the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection, give an idea how these figures were made. The figure appears to have been press moulded in sections, with the seam running through the centre of the figure's head.
The photos below, from the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection, give an idea how these figures were made. The figure appears to have been press moulded in sections, with the seam running through the centre of the figure's head.
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Dating these figures isn't straightforward as the same enameller appears to have worked over a long period of production. However, as you'd expect, the earlier figures from the mould (left detail) are crisper, and more carefully painted. The right detail shown likely dates from the late 1830s. |
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I have divided this page into three sections: Prattware, spongeware and lustreware examples. My best guess is that the earliest examples are those in earthy Pratt colours, and that pink-lustre decorated examples appeared sometime around 1830. But it seems highly likely they were still also producing Pratt ware examples at that date. There are examples from each of those groups with the Dixon, Austin & Co impress. However, it's more common to find marks on pink lustre versions, and the Pratt examples are more often unmarked. Other than the seasons and the watch holder at the bottom of this page, very few figures have been recorded with Dixon marks.
Prattware examples
Above, a matched set of Seasons in Pratt colours. Autumn & Winter have impressed Dixon, Austin & Co marks. Spring and Summer are unmarked. See photos of the figures through 360 degrees here.
There are ruled yellow guide lines on the bases of the two marked examples below to help the enameller keep his lettering straight.
Below a similar matched and marked set from the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection. Note that the mark on the base of 'AUTUMN' is straight rather than curved.
An original set of unmarked figures. The titles of this set have full stops, a tittle (dot above the 'i') on 'WINTER' and 'SPRING'
Another unmarked and original set. Note again the tittle on the 'i' in 'SPRING' and 'WINTER'. On this set 'AUTUMN' is misspelled as 'AUTUMM'.
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An unmarked set, with a lower case 'e' in 'SUMMER'. These variations in spelling and decoration point to the items being decorated in small batches, rather than mass produced. |
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Photos Pook & Pook Auctioneers
Photo Norman Lowe
Spongeware decorated items
This unmarked but crisply modelled matched set appear to be from the earlier phase of production in the 1820s.
Photo Norman Lowe
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A single figure of 'AUTUMN' with a spongeware base and impressed 'DIXON, AUSTIN & Co' mark. |
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Photo New England Auctioneers
These figures are presumably from the late 1830s. The figures are less well defined and the decoration is less detailed.
Pink lustreware examples
More often than not the pink-lustre examples have impressed marks to the base. Variations to the intensity of the lustre and decoration of the base in particular, can make it difficult to match up sets.
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For the large composite group with watch holder (above right), it appears that the figures lifted in and out. See right for the base of one such component with a Dixon Austin impress. The full figure shown below. |
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Photo Norman Lowe