Mariner's Compass – early Sunderland versions
Dawson & Co, Low Ford Pottery
This undated mug is marked 'Dawson & Co' 'Low Ford', and pairs a transfer of John Gilpin with the Mariners' Compass. John Lambton MP held the Durham County seat from 1812 to 1828, when he became the first Earl of Durham. My guess is that this mug was made c1812 at the start of his career. The Diverting History of John Gilpin was a popular poem penned by William Cowper in 1782 about a man whose runaway horse took him 'farther than he intended'.
J Phillips & Co, Sunderland Pottery
A different early version with a printed factory mark for J Phillips & Co at the Sunderland Pottery, and an engraver's mark 'Robson Sculpt.' The frog is from the same mould as the Dixon Austin version below, but has blue eyes.
Dixon, Austin & Co, Sunderland Pottery
Press cuttings show that the partnership ran from 1818 to 1839. Robson again engraved a version with the mark 'Dixon & Co'. The pink lustre and enamelling suggest this mug was made in the 1820s. The 'Dixon' frog has the more common combination of red eyes and mouth.
Below, a similar mug (and frog), but without lustre decoration.
A small jug, with what appears to be a trimmed down version of the transfer, with the printed mark Dixon & Co
Photo Cotswold Auction Company
Dixon, Austin & Co, Sunderland Pottery
This is similar to the Dawson version above, with a ship in the centre of the compass.
Moore & Co's Wear Pottery, Sunderland
Photo Hannams Auctioneers
Moore's decorated items in distinctive zig-zag bands of red and green enamels from the late 1830s into the 1840s.
Below, another Moore & Co version, from the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection. At the centre of the compass is a ship, and the words 'Wear Pottery' and 'Southwick'. This is very similar to the Dixon Austin version above.
Photo Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
Scott's Southwick Pottery
Scott's used this form of flower decoration in the 1840s. See the inscriptions page for dated examples.
The transfer with similar enamelling to the ewer above on a jug dated 1851.
Mariner's Compass – early Tyneside versions
Attributed to Sewell & Donkin, St Anthony's Pottery, Newcastle
These items are attributed to Sewell & Donkin on the basis of a marked jug with similar decoration. See more examples here.
Tyne Pottery, Felling Shore, Gateshead
A mug marked 'Tyne Pottery' from the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection. Their catalogue attributes the mug to Thomas Patterson and Co at Gateshead. According to RC Bell, Thomas Patterson was at the Tyne Pottery at Felling Shore from 1827–29, which might be a bit late for this mug. The earliest partnership Bell lists at that site is Tyler & Co, 1821–23, followed by Taylor & Co. See also here, for a jug marked Tyne Pottery, by Taylor & Co, c1827.
Attributed to Carr & Patton, North Shields, 1838–1846
Photo Anderson & Garland Auctioneers
The same transfer on an unusual crenulated bowl, c1840, with the compass decorated in pink lustre.
Mariner's Compass – perhaps Liverpool
Attributed to Liverpool
This version is included because of its similarity to the Tyne mug above. It was sold to me attributed to Liverpool.
Mariner's Compass – Staffordshire reproductions
Gray's Pottery
These Gray's Pottery reproductions were produced in the second half of the 20th century, and are easy enough to distinguish from 19th century items. The lustre is dark and often extends to the base or inside the object. Find out more here.
