Author Topic: A Mystery Art Deco Blackpool Teapot Stand (Read 5605 times)

Bernard C · « **on:** June 26, 2005, 01:01:30 PM »

A Mystery Art Deco Blackpool Teapot Stand

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At least I am 99% certain that it is a teapot stand. What else could it be?

It is in a clear non-uranium green, well made with only one tiny bubble within the glass. The underside, including the three wonderful Art Deco Michelin Man / Tower of Hanoi feet, is acid-matted around the outer edge of the lucky horseshoe, as also is Blackpool Tower, the Tower Ballroom and Circus, and even the flags! The inscription reads "GOOD LUCK FROM BLACKPOOL". No other marks.

Diameter exactly 6", height exactly 1", weight 1lb 1oz (482g).

I tested the fitting (measures one sixteenth of an inch under 5") with our two trusty Sadler Brown Betty teapots, a one pint and a two pint, and worked out that it would comfortably fit a four pint standard Brown Betty teapot with half a pint to spare. Four pints translates to sixteen or more cups of English tea (allowing for the milk), which would seem to me to be the ideal size for the majority of Blackpool guest houses.

I've never seen another.

So, who made it, and when, pre- or post-war? Does the lettering look familiar or match anything with a known attribution?

All thoughts welcomed.

Bernard C.

paradisetrader · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2005, 10:33:28 PM »

Bread Plate ?
I vote : Late 40s - early 50s
By one of the Gateshead companies ...just a guess
or maybe Burtles & Tate, Manchester ..as local and it looks a cut above ...quality-wise
(there thats covered most of the possibles hasn't it ?)

ChrisStewart · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2005, 07:28:44 AM »

Hi,

Not Burtles & Tate as they went under in the 1920s I think. Their moulds and equipment were bought by Butterworths.

I would go with 1950s, 1960s or even later.

Regards

Chris

Glen · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2005, 09:05:32 AM »

Bernard - I absolutely adore that piece. It's wonderful. I think I've lost my heart to it.

I've shown it my parents (who are familiar with Blackpool from years ago) and they both feel that it is 1930s ish (pre-war). Our feeling is also that it was meant to be a teapot stand, though of course, mainly just a Souvenir to put on the sideboard.

Surely an item like this would have been made in the thousands? Where are they all? Hot teapot + glass stand = trouble. Perhaps that's why this beauty is undoubtedly an uncommon piece.

Just my (ever so humble) opinion.

Glen

paradisetrader · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2005, 09:32:34 PM »

Is non-uramium green found much pre WW2 ?
Definately something to stand or put things on....but a teapot ?

At one time I had quite a collection of Deco teapot stands...just mass produced...hardboard, beige card and flat glass held together with an alluminium rim and with ivory bakelite ball feet. Those were meant to match and be used with with those teapots with a felt lined metal shell and the same ivory bakelite ball feet. Still some risk of glass breakage but a lot less. At least one teapot and stand went in a furniture re-arrangement accident (insured). I must have sold the others ....didn't I

?

I still vote bread platter ......or centre platter for butter, jams etc to save tablecloth spills at teatime ...anyone remember teatime ? Sundays only chez-nous.

Bernard C · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2006, 08:40:31 AM »

Quote from: "Glen"

Bernard - I absolutely adore that piece. It's wonderful. I think I've lost my heart to it.

I've shown it my parents (who are familiar with Blackpool from years ago) and they both feel that it is 1930s ish (pre-war). Our feeling is also that it was meant to be a teapot stand, though of course, mainly just a Souvenir to put on the sideboard.

Surely an item like this would have been made in the thousands? Where are they all? Hot teapot + glass stand = trouble. Perhaps that's why this beauty is undoubtedly an uncommon piece.

Glen â€” A year on, a thought has occurred to me that we all may be making a completely incorrect assumption. I assumed that "Good Luck from Blackpool" meant good luck from Blackpool to the holidaymaker. But it doesn't actually say that. Suppose that it was a good luck gift from Blackpool Corporation to the landladies, wishing them prosperity and success. That would explain its large size and its scarcity. As for when, just before a Blackpool local election, wouldn't you think? "We love all you landladies, so here's a useful and attractive little gift to remind you to vote us back in again."

I've removed the word "souvenir" from the start of this topic for this reason.

Other possibilities include a welcoming gift for the new resident, and a gift for those getting married in Blackpool.

Bernard C.

Frank · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2006, 09:31:12 AM »

I used to see a fair number of these in my shop days and I am sure they are tea-pot stands. Although it was a long time ago I do not particularly recall them as having words on. Weren't the called trivets :?:

Lustrousstone · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2006, 04:31:49 PM »

I vote teapot stand and tourist ware and possibly as new as 1960s but probably older. There's oodles of green glass stuff from the 30s to late 50s/early 60s that isn't uranium

Frank · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2006, 05:15:49 PM »

Confirmed Trivet as the name for these. A three-legged stand for keeping hot pots clear of the table, usually metal but can be found in any material.

Bernard C · « **Reply #9 on:** July 16, 2006, 02:54:42 PM »

The possibility of progress with attribution, at last.

See BJB's topic Ditchfield glass vase for TigerChips' 1953 Coronation souvenir, with lettering probably by the same set of punches.

Bernard C.